What's the most active species?
- Thread starter Gargamel
- Start date
Psychobunny
Avid Member
None of them just sit in one spot all day.
Jacksons are a bit less active then a panther or veiled.
Jacksons are a bit less active then a panther or veiled.
Lathis
Chameleon Enthusiast
I have only had a Jacksons, so I can't compare to other species, but my little guy is very active. Sure he has his "grump log" days where he sits on a branch and does nothing, but for the most part, he is a lot of fun to watch. He requires a lot of climbing space, too.
I believe it is all about providing opportunities for enrichment - lots of places to climb, different levels of foliage and bare branches, more that one basking spot, safe time to free range, variety of food types, etc. A "happy" chameleon is going to do what a chameleon should do - hunt for food, survey his territory, and look for girls. Overfed, "bored", or stressed chameleons are probably more likely to be lumps - either because they don't feel well or because they don't feel safe.
My Jax is really awesome, but there was a bit of learning curve for me since he was my first chameleon. Jax are a little less forgiving of care - veileds and panthers are generally considered a little more hardy. Remember too that chameleons can be pretty expensive to get everything set up. I think I spent about $500-600 getting everything together not including the cost of the animal.
I believe it is all about providing opportunities for enrichment - lots of places to climb, different levels of foliage and bare branches, more that one basking spot, safe time to free range, variety of food types, etc. A "happy" chameleon is going to do what a chameleon should do - hunt for food, survey his territory, and look for girls. Overfed, "bored", or stressed chameleons are probably more likely to be lumps - either because they don't feel well or because they don't feel safe.
My Jax is really awesome, but there was a bit of learning curve for me since he was my first chameleon. Jax are a little less forgiving of care - veileds and panthers are generally considered a little more hardy. Remember too that chameleons can be pretty expensive to get everything set up. I think I spent about $500-600 getting everything together not including the cost of the animal.
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then you over spent by hundreds of dollars....
http://www.lllreptile.com/store/cat...minum-screen-cage-ultimate-chameleon-package/
and even that package is about 50.00 overpriced if you buy each item separately at amazon [ free shipping ].. 170.00 you have an entire setup ready to go....
and a Jacksons is 40 bucks [ 80 with shipping ] over at http://www.btpets.com/Chameleons_for_Sale.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btgS-m7HZ_4
so for 250.00 you're done....
http://www.lllreptile.com/store/cat...minum-screen-cage-ultimate-chameleon-package/
and even that package is about 50.00 overpriced if you buy each item separately at amazon [ free shipping ].. 170.00 you have an entire setup ready to go....
and a Jacksons is 40 bucks [ 80 with shipping ] over at http://www.btpets.com/Chameleons_for_Sale.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btgS-m7HZ_4
so for 250.00 you're done....
Lathis
Chameleon Enthusiast
That's not the way the way to think about it. I did it right and no supplies to start out with. I bought what he needed to keep him healthy and happy without skimping on necessities or being cheap. The extra $100 came from the misting system, which is fantastic but not an absolute requirements. If you are starting from scratch, you can very easily spend $500 getting the necessities.
You may find this very enlightening:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/olimpia/522-average-cost-owning-chameleon.html
You are going to find that preset kit (http://www.lllreptile.com/store/cata...eleon-package/) only has about 1/2 of what you actually need and includes things you don't need. Even if you get that kit, plan to budget AT LEAST $200 more before you even buy the chameleon. This is not just my opinion... this can be backed up by the experience of dozens of people here. I'm just trying to help you.
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Trace
Captain Awesome
The Trioceros bitaeniatus certainly do! They are a fairly inactive species and will remain motionless for very long periods of time. I'm not just talking hours here, but days.
richardschris
New Member
I have a panther who is almost a year old and when he was smaller he wasnt as active or social but now the moment he sees me in the room he goes straight to where his cage opens in hopes of escaping and exploring my living room haha.
Olimpia
Biologist & Ecologist
It seems like the warm weather species tend to be more active than the montane/cool ones. I had a very active Jackson's, but my Meller's for example are pretty conservative in their movements throughout the day. It probably has something to do with the cooler ambient temps they require.
My panthers, veileds, and carpets have been pretty active. Like someone else said, if you give them the opportunity they will take it - so by providing the largest cage you can, giving them lots of branches and plants to climb, etc. you give them opportunities for moving around.
Also, if your room temps are very cold (I know some people love to keep their AC set at 65F, for example, which is freezing to me!) then there's probably a pretty dramatic temp difference between the nice toasty basking spot and the rest of the cage, so the chameleon is more likely to sit under the basking spot longer because the rest of the cage is cold. If the ambient temps are less dramatic (more like ~75F) you get a more gentle temp gradient and they'll be more comfortable throughout the entire cage.
My panthers, veileds, and carpets have been pretty active. Like someone else said, if you give them the opportunity they will take it - so by providing the largest cage you can, giving them lots of branches and plants to climb, etc. you give them opportunities for moving around.
Also, if your room temps are very cold (I know some people love to keep their AC set at 65F, for example, which is freezing to me!) then there's probably a pretty dramatic temp difference between the nice toasty basking spot and the rest of the cage, so the chameleon is more likely to sit under the basking spot longer because the rest of the cage is cold. If the ambient temps are less dramatic (more like ~75F) you get a more gentle temp gradient and they'll be more comfortable throughout the entire cage.
pigglett79
Avid Member
That kit doesn't have everything you need. And 2 vines aren't going to get you much in the cage. I use a 4 ft cage for my Jackson, with live plants, 6 bend vines, 4 large wood pieces plus additional fake vines for cover. It's also good to have an automatic mister because it can take a while to get them to start drinking.
Not to mention food costs to get a variety up front. And I gave spent around $400 this year on vet bills and that was just for a cut he got in his mouth from a snail shell I believe. If he were to get really sick it would cost much more.
I just hate to see people jump in and assume they can care for an exotic pet on the cheap. Going cheap can turn out to be a bad idea. But hey if you find a way to do it all for $250 then good for you.
My Veiled chameleon wont stop moving from the moment he wakes up until its bedtime, with the exception of basking. I have two huge vines and a bunch of dowels in the enclosure and he still climbs on anything steady, once I convince him to come outside and play I am going to add even morr dowels just so he uses them instead of the screen. Id recommend a veiled, Pascal doesnt ever want to sit still.
Devokid
Established Member
This proves that it varies from chameleon to chameleon. My male jacksons have been super active. They very rarely sit still while my panthers are happy to lounge for a while.
Devokid
Established Member
I love it when junior members who don't know what they are doing argue with the senior members.
Shaddowxxi
New Member
I've recently acquired a jackson's and he is fairly active. He won't move when i'm there (but i've also not had him long and he isn't used to things yet) but hes often in a different spot when I happen to walk by. I would also second the ambient temps thing. I have quite a few reptiles and there seems to be a positive correlation between the temps they need and their activity levels.
Shaddowxxi
New Member
Edit: i don't know why that double posted x.x
I love it when junior members who don't know what they are doing argue with the senior members.
There is nothing else that's needed.. that's not my opinion.. it's a fact.. if you want to go overboard and try turning something simple into rocket science when it isn't then I suppose you could start thinking more is needed...
I had a Veiled Chameleon many years ago who lived to 8 years old and I had nothing other than the enclosure... lighting... calcium powder... and plastic syringe to feed him water from... It's a freakin Lizard for christs sake.... some people are just wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too involved.
Psychobunny
Avid Member
I know, and there are other species like that to, What I really meant, out of the 3 main species; veiled, jax and panther that are most popular
Psychobunny
Avid Member
What about vet bills?
