Chameleon Qs

[gumby]

Hey just got my first chameleon had some Qs for people who are keeping or have kept them in the past. here are a few questions:

1. how bib of a cage would you use most of what I read made it seem like I needed a really big cage? of course I am used to tarantulas who dont need a ton of space?
2. how do you measure them just the body or the tail and body?
3. do you have any helpful hints?

 

[gumby]

P.S. done lots of resurch on the web but wanted to hear from people on the boards because I have not been impressed with general care sheets Ive seen on other animals

 

[gecko_keeper/KBfauna]

What kind are you keeing? Are they for pets or to breed?

GK

 

[gumby]

its just a typical green veiled Chameleon im not even sure it changes different colors

 

[mrbonzai211]

I think you really need to think about it hard before jumping in to getting a chameleon. The responsibility of having one is on par with having a baby and the setup, lights, and supplies and all that costs about as much too. If you do plan on getting one, use live plants that are safe for them to eat because they are partly omnivorous and also don't skimp on the lights. They need top of the line UVA/B bulbs and mounts as well as a very nice basking light. The light alone are gonna cost you a couple hundred. These guys are so fragile, you can't afford to skimp on anything or they will deteriorate quickly. Also, you will need to rig up a drip system because they can't see standing water and seem to only react to water that is dripping from the top of the cage. If you choose to go forward (which I discourage people from doing to 99% of the population), research extensively and join a chameleon forum before you get one. The more you know, the better your experience will be. Oh yeah, another hard thing to balance, is that they need a very exact 4 to 1 ration of calcium to phosphorus. Normal pet store brand supplements will not do, so you might have to go online to find something suitable.

 

[Jmugleston]

Wow I'm starting to see a lot of Utah people posting recently. Odd. Anyway, I kept veileds and panthers until recently and my males of both species were in screened cages that measured 30 inches wide, 30 inches deep and 48 inches tall. The cages had live ficus trees inside and some vines and artificial sticks for more climbing space.
With lizards, typically you measure the SVL or snout to vent length. Many lizards can drop their tails, or the tips are broken off in life so the total length (TL) is not an accurate measurement. Chams can't drop their tails, but still it is more acceptable to use the SVL length.
Tips: Read all you can....then read some more BEFORE buying chams. Veileds and panthers are the most forgiving of keeper errors, but they are much more touchy than something like bearded dragons or leopard geckos. Once you have read all you can, and you have visited breeders' websites, go back and read again. Make sure the cage is perfect BEFORE buying the cham. The key is be prepared BEFORE you get the lizard so that you don't regret it in the end. Other tips. Keep the cage very clean. Make sure humidity is high enough for whichever species you choose. Provo is much drier than what they are built for so drippers or foggers are a must for most species. Feed them at least daily if not more frequently. Finally get a male if you are only getting one. In all but a few cases, the males are the more colorful of the sexes, and they get larger.

 

[gumby]

I think you really need to think about it hard before jumping in to getting a chameleon. The responsibility of having one is on par with having a baby and the setup, lights, and supplies and all that costs about as much too. If you choose to go forward (which I discourage people from doing to 99% of the population), research extensively and join a chameleon forum before you get one.

So I am thankful for the info but at the same time just know that you have a very condescending tone to your post. Its something I do sometimes too so I understand but it may help if you read all the posts on the thread as I stated in my 2nd post I did resurch this out before I got him infact Ive been studying up for about a month now im just more trusting of actual talking or posting then some of the random stuff you find on the web. Also in my first post I did say I had all ready bought her. Also a child is about $6000-$14000 its first year of life and I dont believe Ill be spending that on this little female this year.

In an effort to make you feel better about my having a cham Ill give you some details: she is 2" not including tail her cage is one I fashioned after viewing many set ups. it is a modified 10G tank I fashioned a mesh top that extends the height another 18" so the enclosure is 30hx12wx24L. I dont have a dripper yet but I have seen her licking water drops and eating her tiny crickets. I mist the enclosure 3 times a day and she does not apear dried out. the lighting set up may not be up to your specs it is a $15 light bulb that the pet store owner told me I needed it was top of the line. I watched the chams grow in his pet shop for about the last month and a half he has had them. So I know they have no issues eating and appear healthy. Ive got some great vines set up and hiding places also a water bowl and food cup in the middle of the cage lased to a vine. one other thing that may be good to know is even though she seems to spend most of her time in the top of the cage I did read that they dislike their reflection I papered the glass wall but is there a nicer way to paper the enclosure bottom.

 

[Brad Ramsey]

I keep veileds and have developed a site with husbandry information that is rather well respected on the chameleon forums, here is the link:

http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/

Here is the link to the forums as well. Joining is a really great idea!

http://chameleonforums.com/

Good luck with your chameleon!

-Brad Ramsey

 

[mrbonzai211]

Just giving u info dude... and one other thing, the 10 gallon is an absolute no-no. They cannot have glass anywhere in their enclosure. Chams are strictly solitary creatures and are also easily stressed. They see themselves in the reflection and think they're seeing another chameleon. Oddly enough, this can kill them due to stress from thinking that there's another rival nearby. With especially sensitive individuals, even being in a room frequented by cats/dogs/other humans can have this same effect. Either build or buy a screen cage, that's really your only option.