Yet Another Newbie

[TheUnseenHand]

Hello guys! I'm looking to get into the wonderful world of chameleons! I'm doing some research currently, actually purchasing is a long way off. So a brief introduction:

I've had all kinds of animals over my life. My last reptile was a bearded dragon. I previously have kept corn snakes, iguanas and dart frogs with good success. After I graduated college I found my passion, which is keeping saltwater reef tanks, specifically SPS dominated reefs. Unfortunately work has had me move from PA to Wisconsin and back to PA within the last two years. I broke down a reef tank before I went to Wisconsin, set one up there which I kept with great success. I had a Red Dragon grow from a 1 inch frag to a softball size colony within 3 months. But I had to break that down to move back to PA just a year later. I've now decided that until I buy a house and am really settled, I'm not setting up another reef tank. It's a massive undertaking to break them down and rehome everything, especially demanding SPS corals. So I need something to fill the void that could relocate with me if need be, and isn't a cat or dog. I've always wanted to keep a chameleon, but never thought I was ready. Given my past experience, I now think I'm ready. I need to do a lot more research, but I feel comfortable enough that I can provide everything for a chameleon to thrive both time dedication wise and financially.

I don't have a particular species in mind. I'd prefer one that could be housed in an enclosure that's 24x24x48in. I'd prefer to avoid crickets as feeders. I've kept dubia roaches in the past with great success, and wonder if they would make a good food source? I'm also looking into misting systems. I'm pretty handy, but for the relatively low price of a starter kit from mist king, I wonder if that might be a better way to go as opposed to DIY?

In any case, that's my story. I'm looking forward to any and all suggestions for cham species, feeders, mist systems, opinions of plant options, lighting options, etc.

Aaron

 

[gotwqqd]

Sounds like you will have no problems with the undertaking....
From what I've gathered in about 100+ hours off research in the last 8 weeks is dubia are superior in every way to a chameleon, unless it's simply not enticing to the pet.

 

[Decadancin]

Welcome to the forums! Plenty of great info here. As for the misting system, I definitely recommend MistKing! Easy to set up and not too expensive. Most chameleons would do well in a 24x24x48 enclosure, but check out the caresheets for the recommended sizes for the types you are interested in. Many here feed Dubias to their chams, but a varied diet of well gutloaded feeders is best. Most will say that Veiled and Panther chams are good "beginner" chams due to the amount of info and captive bred specimens available, but there are challenges with all chameleons. With your success with reef tanks I'm sure you would be a great chameleon parent . Best of luck with your endeavor and again, Welcome to the Forums!!!

 

[MiyagiCham]

Automatic misters are typically really handy for chameleons, I'd recommend purchasing one, although I haven't bought one myself... As for buying a chameleon, Panthers and Veileds are very good for people who are new to chams. Panthers can be a bit more expensive, but have beautiful and vibrant colors, on the males, at least...

No matter which one you pick, they are very entertaining and easy-going animals most of the time.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

I put this together over the weekend. My idea is to try to get the setup ready, get a feeder colony of insects going, and read up for a few months. If everything looks good then I will acquire a Cham. This is my very first attempt at an enclosure like this, so go easy

 

[tim's owner]

Very nice better than the wood cage I'm going to build for mine.

 

[brownie64]

That looks very nice, good job

 

[MiyagiCham]

Really nice cage! I gotta move my cham into a larger one soon.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

Thanks guys!

So looking at plants for this thing, I'm thinking maybe just a ficus of some sort and some fake plants. Question is, what fake plants are safe? I assume most craft store stuff is a no no, but I don't know.

 

[MiyagiCham]

I typically just buy the plastic fake plants from the pet store. Ones with larger leaves tend to collect the most water, so I'd buy those ones. They also have fake leaves made out of a more felt-like material, but I prefer the plastic ones.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

I typically just buy the plastic fake plants from the pet store. Ones with larger leaves tend to collect the most water, so I'd buy those ones. They also have fake leaves made out of a more felt-like material, but I prefer the plastic ones.

What is it that the ones at the pet store have, or don't have, that makes them "pet safe" when compared to the plants you'd find at a craft store? Obviously things with heavy dyes or glitter and such would be things to avoid, but is there something else in particular to avoid? I ask because the choice at a place like Hobby Lobby is much larger than a local pet shop.

 

[MiyagiCham]

What is it that the ones at the pet store have, or don't have, that makes them "pet safe" when compared to the plants you'd find at a craft store? Obviously things with heavy dyes or glitter and such would be things to avoid, but is there something else in particular to avoid? I ask because the choice at a place like Hobby Lobby is much larger than a local pet shop.

I have bought three different types of fake pet store leaves and haven't noticed anything that would be problematic, so I wouldn't say there's too many issues, but maybe somebody else has had a different experience with them? Perhaps chameleons may try eating the leaves, but even then there's not much of a problem unless they manage to ingest it.

 

[jpowell86]

Thanks guys!

So looking at plants for this thing, I'm thinking maybe just a ficus of some sort and some fake plants. Question is, what fake plants are safe? I assume most craft store stuff is a no no, but I don't know.

I wouldn't use any fake plants if it can be avoided. Live plants are so much better. They help maintain humidity within the enclosure, they are aesthetically pleasing and I feel like chameleons just do better in general with live v fake. It's not a must,(well it is to me) but I think it is the better option.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

I wouldn't use any fake plants if it can be avoided. Live plants are so much better. They help maintain humidity within the enclosure, they are aesthetically pleasing and I feel like chameleons just do better in general with live v fake. It's not a must,(well it is to me) but I think it is the better option.

Agreed for sure, though I wonder if I could provide enough lighting in an enclosure that tall for plants to thrive. Is there a list out there of plants to be avoided? I know the substrate has to be covered to avoid possible ingestion issues, but are there any particular plants to be avoided?

I generally have a pretty green thumb (I have several years of bonsai experience, as well as several dart frog vivs with thriving plants), and I'd certainly prefer to fill the enclosure with as many live plants as possible. But I want to make sure there are plenty of stiff lateral "vines" at different levels for the cham to regulate heat, and I feel like that would be hard to accomplish with live plants sans lots of time. That's what I was hoping to accomplish with the fake plants.

 

[jpowell86]

But I want to make sure there are plenty of stiff lateral "vines" at different levels for the cham to regulate heat, and I feel like that would be hard to accomplish with live plants sans lots of time. That's what I was hoping to accomplish with the fake plants.

I use ficus and schefflera in most of my enclosures as the base plants and then I fill in with pothos. I thin out the ficus and schefflera to allow branches to intersect the stems so I can create a "highway" of sorts throughout the enclosure. Here is a picture of one of my enclosures for my Nosy Faly. If you can manage bonsai and you have experience with D.F. vivs. then this should be a piece of cake!! Lighting is simpler because you're not trying to maintain "carpeting" like you do in vivs. I think you should use live plants..... no pressure..Ha!

 

[MiyagiCham]

I know that sometimes chameleons will eat hibiscus, so that's typically a good live plant to use. Plus it looks really nice since it flowers.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

I use ficus and schefflera in most of my enclosures as the base plants and then I fill in with pothos. I thin out the ficus and schefflera to allow branches to intersect the stems so I can create a "highway" of sorts throughout the enclosure. Here is a picture of one of my enclosures for my Nosy Faly. If you can manage bonsai and you have experience with D.F. vivs. then this should be a piece of cake!! Lighting is simpler because you're not trying to maintain "carpeting" like you do in vivs. I think you should use live plants..... no pressure..Ha!



View attachment 148637

This got the wheels turning in my head. I like the grow box below the cage. I think I might steal that idea.

 

[jpowell86]

This got the wheels turning in my head. I like the grow box below the cage. I think I might steal that idea.

Please do...I use that idea for all my screen enclosures. I hate wasting room inside the actual enclosure with pots and plus it's more aesthetically pleasing to see just the foliage at the bottom....IMO! I can't wait to see what you come up with!

 

[TheUnseenHand]

I have this bulb that's been sitting around for a couple years. I don't believe it was ever used. Does anyone know the shelf life on these? I plan to buy another one, probably the same kind as I really liked these for my Bearded Dragon, but I'd like to use this as a backup should the new one go out. Question is, will it still produce UV properly?

 

[alphakenc]

Usually every 6month(after u light them up) you will need to replace them,if u want the accuracy please use a uv tester to get the accurate reading