What species?!?!

[NickyChameleon]

My mom doesn't want me to have a Jackson's. I don't REALLY want Pygmy chameleon(s) because of their stubby tail, I really like chameleon tails. I'll get one if necessary. Any other small species? Looking for a guy that doesn't grow more than 11 inches.

 

[Lathis]

Pygmies have their own set of requirements and very different care needs. They are adorable little guys, but I understand wanting a "standard" type of chameleon.

The trouble is that a lot of the smaller species are often wild caught. Have you considered a carpet chameleon? They are small and gorgeous, but they can be very shy - not a chameleon that you are going to be able to free range or hold. They have a shorter life expectancy, too, about 3 years compared to 6-8 for a Veiled. You should be able to get a captive bred carpet chameleon, but i'm not sure of the price.

We may have forum members or sponsors that breed carpets - look for posts by forum member NHenn, he runs Canvas Chameleons (www.canvaschameleons.com). He had some earlier this summer.

 

[NickyChameleon]

Really? 300$? No guys, I'm looking for something around 30$

 

[Lathis]

That will be a Jacksons or a Veiled, and even then, you might not find one quite that cheap. Also depending on where you are, you may need to budget $50 for shipping too. Not many options at that price point.

Jax are smaller in size, but still need a full cage size, so 2-ft x 2-ft by 4-ft high will be the smallest adult cage you should plan to have. Your current cage size would be fine for a baby, but again by about 8 months, you will want to upgrade in size.

Have you thought about a gecko? Like a leopard gecko? They are very cool, and your cage would be good.

 

[NickyChameleon]

I have two leopard geckos and a corn snake already.

 

[Lathis]

There just aren't that many chameleons that are that small, cheap, and easy to care for.

Plus, vet expenses (and everything else) for chams can be very high. Ask anyone who owns a cham how much money they have spent, and I'm sure they'll be happy to count up the $100s invested in supplies, bugs, supplements, etc. Maybe your mom is right about no chameleons for right now.

 

[jannb]

There just aren't that many chameleons that are that small, cheap, and easy to care for.

Plus, vet expenses (and everything else) for chams can be very high. Ask anyone who owns a cham how much money they have spent, and I'm sure they'll be happy to count up the $100s invested in supplies, bugs, supplements, etc. Maybe your mom is right about no chameleons for right now.

I agree! Chameleons are high maintence and a very expensive pet to keep.

 

[carbyville]

There just aren't that many chameleons that are that small, cheap, and easy to care for.

Plus, vet expenses (and everything else) for chams can be very high. Ask anyone who owns a cham how much money they have spent, and I'm sure they'll be happy to count up the $100s invested in supplies, bugs, supplements, etc. Maybe your mom is right about no chameleons for right now.

Oh yes, it is quite an investment of both money and time, which is why it took me 5 years of researching and waiting until my income and free time could support chameleon ownership. I call them the toddlers of the reptile world. It is a lot of work, a lot of worry, and a lot of knowledge. And absolutely a lot of money.

Your $30 investment will turn into a $300 investment in no time flat. You need to be prepared for that. I'd think twice about owning a chameleon if you're not willing to shell out that money, sorry to say.

 

[ChamDE86]

I too have owned two leopard geckos and a corn snake. Believe me when I say owning a chameleon is a completely different ball game. Unless you're willing to spend money and put in a lot of time, I would not recommend one as a pet. Are you ready to mist 3-4 times EVERYDAY to ensure proper humidity levels and hydration? How about dusting feeders with calcium without d3 at every feeding and calcium with d3/vitamins twice a month? Will you spend hundreds of dollars if your chameleon falls ill? I've had my chameleon for almost a year now and have spent close to if not over a $1000 to ensure he lives a quality life. Honestly, judging from your reaction to spending $300, I would put some more thought into all of this.

 

[guanagator]

You should have about $1k ready to spend if your serious about a chameleon of any species. The initial price of the animal isn't the big expense, it's getting everything dialed in so your husbandry is spot on before the new arrival and also having funds available whenever a vet trip is at hand. Bare bones set up your looking at 2-3 hundred just for enclosure and lighting for UVB and Heat plus a grow light if your using live plants, couple hundred more for the plants, timers, mister, vines and branches etc stuff adds up quick and you can't keep a happy Cham without all of it. The $30 dollar Cham you mention has the same start up costs and needs the same exacting level of care as a $300 panther.

That said if your on a tight budget and serious you can start watching Craigslist and everywhere else for used equipment, I see 2x2x4 set ups for sale at least once a month often with other components you'll need included. If your patient probably find a decent shape full set up within a few months and the time cleaning it will be well worth the discount, in the meantime research research research the more you learn for yourself the better. Gives you time to figure out a species to work with and identify local breeder.