Veiled or Panther
- Thread starter BennyJ
- Start date
NDO
Member
I think veiled chameleons are actually the most popular when it comes down to the numbers (due to mass availability pretty much at every petsmart/petco). Panthers on the other hand usually require you to buy them online, though some chains have one available very rarely from what I've seen. Also the huge price difference.
Panthers are also on average nearly 4 times as expensive. The median price for a healthy rep. breeder's panther is like $300; you can find lower quality panthers (LLLReptile, etc.) around $200 though, and obviously, you have places like kammerflage selling for $400 or more. Veileds, on the other hand, are much cheaper, with the base price being like $65 for a baby male, even less at times. Lot's of places like FLChams offer "designer" veiled chameleons for $100 range, though.
Panthers are also on average nearly 4 times as expensive. The median price for a healthy rep. breeder's panther is like $300; you can find lower quality panthers (LLLReptile, etc.) around $200 though, and obviously, you have places like kammerflage selling for $400 or more. Veileds, on the other hand, are much cheaper, with the base price being like $65 for a baby male, even less at times. Lot's of places like FLChams offer "designer" veiled chameleons for $100 range, though.
JoshD49
Chameleon Enthusiast
Veileds are very prominent in the industry because they are so cheap compared to Panthers.
Panthers are so popular because:
1. They have a lot more color options
2. More profitable to a breeder spending the time to breed.
3. Veileds tend to have more an "aggressive" reputation
The Petco by me has all 3 coming species. Not that I would buy from there.
I have seen it first hand where a panther and a veiled we're raised side by side in the same situation and the panther will come right out while the veiled will put up a fight.
My little veiled is starting to get used to me but will puff and hiss at my daughter. Once he is out he is fine but really only with me.
Panthers are so popular because:
1. They have a lot more color options
2. More profitable to a breeder spending the time to breed.
3. Veileds tend to have more an "aggressive" reputation
The Petco by me has all 3 coming species. Not that I would buy from there.
I have seen it first hand where a panther and a veiled we're raised side by side in the same situation and the panther will come right out while the veiled will put up a fight.
My little veiled is starting to get used to me but will puff and hiss at my daughter. Once he is out he is fine but really only with me.
Matt Vanilla Gorilla
Chameleon Enthusiast
Panthers often have nicer personalities! For me, that is a big deal!
dshuld
Chameleon Enthusiast
Though I love having Lola (veiled female) at my house, I'm still very much a panther person at heart. I think you've had some solid answers as to your original question though. I will add, spend some time looking around and you may be surprised at some of the info that pops up various places. You may also be surprised at the chams you find 
. Just because someone is only asking for $200, or less in some cases, doesn't mean it is necessarily a unhealthy panther or from a not reputable breeder.
. Just because someone is only asking for $200, or less in some cases, doesn't mean it is necessarily a unhealthy panther or from a not reputable breeder.
Gbaby
New Member
JoshD49
Chameleon Enthusiast
I completely agree that their life would be much better and believe me seeing them in those tiny cages is heartbreaking but the problem is when you buy them from there you keep their supply and demand working in their favor and they will keep selling them.
I went to a petco yesterday and could not believe there are still some that sell salt water fish. I thought they did away with them for the same thing that chams are starting to go through. I saw a lot of people looking to buy their fish but when I looked at the fish they all had ich (nasty parasite that requires a ton of work to get rid of) so bad that they honestly wont survive or worse introduce the parasite into the main/show tank.
At the end of the day members here are just trying to make sure the right people are selling these things and telling the new owners the right way to care for them.
Char333p
Avid Member
makes you want to work there, just to make sure people get the proper things and proper care information, id personally make little packets of care hahah. I agree with the not buying from Petco cause it just proves they can move the "product" but I definitely think that's JUST it. The animal will usually suffer in their care but how sure are we that, the handful of people that rescue the animals from these chains ( people like us who know the breeds ) completely fall short of all the rest of the population. To make a difference. Personally id prob rescue one if I saw it not looking well
Personally though, Im into panthers, I love their colors and I got one because I read that they can be more aggressive. Also I prefer their flat heads
GreenChameleons
Established Member
I was out of town and happen to go into a Pet Smart and the took the veiled chameleon put in a aquarium tank with to high of wattage light/wrong light and the enclosure was set up wrong. They gave me the liberty to fix the setup and lighting. If I didn’t have far to drive I would have rescued it because I noticed the premature sign of MBD.
Even though I have a Jackson’s that I really like on the other hand I like Panther chameleons a lot as well. Yemen chameleons aka Veiled chameleons seem to have a lot of issues from what I’ve observed and seen. Not confuse this with the fact that not all Veiled chameleons are like this by any means. That’s why it is important to find a good breeder either on here or a reputable one somewhere. You should determine what your temperature is in summer and in the winter in your area so if you want with the species you decide on you can safely let them free range outside from time to time or safety live year round in an enclosure outside if you so chose. I would figure on what species chameleon care and basically what their specific needs are because every species is different. I would research each one and see which one’s needs can be more specifically met in your area you live. There’s more than just one species but some aren’t as readily available as others. I like them all I can’t just be biased towards one type. I like the East Africa species that live bear their neonates (babies) Jackson’s/MT. Meru Jacksons Rudis etc.
If it were me I would get a Panther or Jackson’s. I’d get a male and female to breed and that’s just me as well.
Even though I have a Jackson’s that I really like on the other hand I like Panther chameleons a lot as well. Yemen chameleons aka Veiled chameleons seem to have a lot of issues from what I’ve observed and seen. Not confuse this with the fact that not all Veiled chameleons are like this by any means. That’s why it is important to find a good breeder either on here or a reputable one somewhere. You should determine what your temperature is in summer and in the winter in your area so if you want with the species you decide on you can safely let them free range outside from time to time or safety live year round in an enclosure outside if you so chose. I would figure on what species chameleon care and basically what their specific needs are because every species is different. I would research each one and see which one’s needs can be more specifically met in your area you live. There’s more than just one species but some aren’t as readily available as others. I like them all I can’t just be biased towards one type. I like the East Africa species that live bear their neonates (babies) Jackson’s/MT. Meru Jacksons Rudis etc.
If it were me I would get a Panther or Jackson’s. I’d get a male and female to breed and that’s just me as well.
Lucasthecham
Member
Stopped by petco just now to get a couple of things and saw the worst looking juvenile panther chameleon, she looked so thin and just stayed in one place with her eyes closed. I annoyingly tapped the glass and she slowly opened her eyes. Broke my heart . As for the other juvenile veiled chameleons, they seemed to be up and moving around. Really sucks seeing this.
Lucasthecham
Member
GreenChameleons
Established Member
You should have had a talk like I did sorry to hear that...if I’d makes you feel better I’ve taken the mister that they have close by at those type stores and misted the chameleon’s and found the humidifier and turned it on when the humidity was extremely low.
JoshD49
Chameleon Enthusiast
I had a similar experience a couple weeks ago with a female Jackson. She was in a horizontal tank and the colors were awesome but she was holding one eye closed and the only food in there was a dish filled with meal worms. The dripper was just sitting on a water dish not dripping.They were using it as an auto filler. They must know it has an eye issue too because they had a sign on the cage saying 35% off. So sad because I would love to own a Jackson and here they are killing one.
Lucasthecham
Member
Omg, you’re awesome for doing that. I have never thought of “taking over” before! I feel like they wouldn’t allow me to do anything but I’ll try next time. I honestly think/feel there isn’t really anything we can do in these cases..
Just letting the people/family memebers/ and friends to never buy from pet stores.
Lucasthecham
Member
Yes! similar to how this panther was right now. Ugh
GreenChameleons
Established Member
Probably wrong lighting and had an eye infection or something was in it’s eye.
GreenChameleons
Established Member
Yes! similar to how this panther was right now. Ugh
My thing is who cares if they get mad or ask you what you’re doing just think of the chameleon they have no idea how to care forOmg, you’re awesome for doing that. I have never thought of “taking over” before! I feel like they wouldn’t allow me to do anything but I’ll try next time. I honestly think/feel there isn’t really anything we can do in these cases..
