Chameleon keepers..

[Unravel]

Chime in please, currently im debating on whether to get one. I love Ts because i love my pets fairly low maintenance, chameleons do not seem to be very low maintenance however. What i'd love is a large showpiece cham to be honest.

Here are my questions:

misting - how often? I will get the nicest auto-mister/dripper i can, do i need to mist additionally?

Food - How much do they eat, will these guys eat dubia if its not hand fed to them (i.e will they seek out dubia in their enclosure, since dubia loves to hide)? Do often do they require veggies, if at all?

What species is a good combination of color and size?

Any other comments?

Im not saying im not a responsible owner, what im saying is i have days where i work 16hr shifts and i also go to graduate school on others, some days its just difficult for me to be home (but i can feed in the morning etc). I'm looking to get an invert and am debating whether a brazillian rainbow boa would be a better choice, or maybe a red ackie, i just want something that is a nice display animal.

Thanks!

 

[BQC123]

Honestly, I believe the rainbow boa would better fit your lifestyle. I would not feel comfortable not being able to monitor a chameleon more often.
That said:
You can adjust a dripper, and automate a mist system to keep the proper humidity.
Dubia would not be a good free range food, but could be fed in a bowl they could not crawl out of.

 

[CFleming]

+1 to the above

Also panther chameleons are amazing!

 

[imatroll]

I'm not sure if it will fit your criteria, but I love pygmy chameleons, and I know a store that sells them, if you were interested.