IrishInIsengard
New member
I went to a reptile expo this weekend and managed not to buy anything. However, now I have this craving to get a chameleon. Does anyone on here have one or have experience housing/feeding/taking care of one?
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Any experience with chameleons?
- Thread starter IrishInIsengard
- Start date
Joba
New member
No, but a friend's panther tried to eat my dumerils boa when he was a baby: snatched him right off the counter with his tongue! Freaked me right out.
I'd love a panther, but I believe they need screen or mesh sides for climbing, and yet require high humidity. Here in the desert, that probably means misting systems and who knows what else. Then add that they're shy and not big on being handled (at least from what I've heard/read), and so they're not for me right now. One word of warning, be wary of wild caught chameleons. There are lots of them out there and often the stores can't tell wc from captive bred. Sorry I couldn't be more help. Good luck.
I'd love a panther, but I believe they need screen or mesh sides for climbing, and yet require high humidity. Here in the desert, that probably means misting systems and who knows what else. Then add that they're shy and not big on being handled (at least from what I've heard/read), and so they're not for me right now. One word of warning, be wary of wild caught chameleons. There are lots of them out there and often the stores can't tell wc from captive bred. Sorry I couldn't be more help. Good luck.
IrishInIsengard
New member
Chameleons definitely need misting systems. The cost is typically less than $100 for a really good one.
The BF and I handled a few chameleons at the show from breeders. While they don't seem to LOVE being handled, they were very calm and super cool to watch and hold.
The BF really wanted to get one. He joined a chameleon forum and asked if it would be a good pet for him (he travels a few days a week). They told him that "chams" need to be fed a few crickets every day. No more, no less. They said if you dump too many crickets in the cage, they can kill the cham by pecking their eyes out.... Sometimes I wonder how wild animals exist with these devil crickets.
sigh. I guess it's not for us. I'd never be able to take a vacation if we got one.
The BF and I handled a few chameleons at the show from breeders. While they don't seem to LOVE being handled, they were very calm and super cool to watch and hold.
The BF really wanted to get one. He joined a chameleon forum and asked if it would be a good pet for him (he travels a few days a week). They told him that "chams" need to be fed a few crickets every day. No more, no less. They said if you dump too many crickets in the cage, they can kill the cham by pecking their eyes out.... Sometimes I wonder how wild animals exist with these devil crickets.
sigh. I guess it's not for us. I'd never be able to take a vacation if we got one.
daddio207
THUG FROG !
Care is easy to very difficult depending on species. I've kept few different species that covered that spectrum. You do NOT need to feed ADULT chams daily. I would recommend starting with an adult also as a first cham. Stick with a Senegal, panther, veiled. Even though they are common in the pet trade do NOT get a Jacksons for a first cham. You can cup train your cham so you can go away for days. I left mine for up to a week at a time with no issues. They will eat a variety of insects including dubias that cannot claim smooth surfaces.
I would keep handling to a minimum as stress with chams can be detrimental to their health.
Chams are very rewarding pets. I've had chams that come running out of their terrariums to eat out of my hand then go running back in once they realized where they were LOL
I would keep handling to a minimum as stress with chams can be detrimental to their health.
Chams are very rewarding pets. I've had chams that come running out of their terrariums to eat out of my hand then go running back in once they realized where they were LOL
smigon
Old enough to know better
Josh, as for needing mesh for climbing the sides, one of the uses for snake hammocks is just that. You suction cup all corners to one side making it sort of a triangular trellis, instead of three sides to make it horizontal for chillin'. I never looked at them that way!
Joba
New member
Interesting. Thanks. What a great idea.
IrishInIsengard
New member
This is all good information! We're continuing to look into them. I hope we can get one!
daddio207
THUG FROG !
Oh yeah ! I used a dripper when I went away for days at a time.
Unless you are in a warm climate with high humidity like florida where Veiled chams are an evasive species and are caught for the pet trade now, it is hard to keep the temp and humidity up in a screen cage. But air movement is very important with some species especially Jacksons hence the use of small fans or they are very prone to respiratory infections. I think veiled and senegals are the most hardy of all the wild caught species that are sold in the pet trade.
Unless you are in a warm climate with high humidity like florida where Veiled chams are an evasive species and are caught for the pet trade now, it is hard to keep the temp and humidity up in a screen cage. But air movement is very important with some species especially Jacksons hence the use of small fans or they are very prone to respiratory infections. I think veiled and senegals are the most hardy of all the wild caught species that are sold in the pet trade.
