THE CHAMELEON?

RoyalRazer · #1 (**permalink**) 11-24-2002, 10:44 PM

What would you reccomend as a good pet chameleon? I have a leopard gecko and a bp. How big would the tank be and what acsessories would it need?

Please reply asap!!!
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reptilemama · #2 (**permalink**) 11-24-2002, 11:42 PM

Remember first that chameleons are MUCH more difficult to care for than leos or beardies. They do not do well in glass tanks, so a screen cage is necessary. In addition, they need high humidity, which can be difficult to maintain. They can be picky eaters, and may stop eating for no apparent reason. I love my panther chameleon dearly, but I must say she is more work than any other lizard I've ever had. Between filling the humidifier, misting, and her dripper, we finally decided the best way to deal with the water run off from her cage was to just put in a drain! It takes me at least 15 minutes in the morning just to take care of her misting and humidifier. Keep all this in mind when deciding if you want a chameleon. Some people may tell you that veiled chameleons don't need all this misting like panthers do, but in fact they do. Yes, they come from a less humid region, but they live in coastal areas where the dew and fog is heavy every morning and evening. They need just as much water as panthers. That said, veileds and panthers are probably the most hardy. Panthers are a little less tempermental, but I do not consider them to be a hands-on pet. They stress very easily, and most do not like to be handled. I have had mine for two and a half years, and she still doesn't like to be picked up. She has only recently decided it's not too bad if I touch her foot or tail, because I might just have food. Check out www.adcham.com for more husbandry information on a variety of species.
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RoyalRazer · #3 (**permalink**) 11-26-2002, 02:51 PM

Thanks anyway!!!
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RoyalRazer · #4 (**permalink**) 11-26-2002, 02:54 PM

Actually hang on a moment I have a royal and hes supposed to be picky but he still eats! And with a few handling sessions I could probaly tame a chameleon.
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Stormyva · #5 (**permalink**) 11-26-2002, 03:08 PM

It is not so much a matter of taming them as it is finding an animal that will tolerate being handled.
As a general rule chameleons are display animals and stress very easily.
They also require a lot more time to care for as reptilemama has said.

On the postitive side they are beautiful animals and they are the totally cool when it comes to feeding. That tongue shooting out and nabbing a cricket 4" away is the neatest thing!
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BWSmith · #6 (**permalink**) 11-26-2002, 03:58 PM

Chams take a lot of work and care. Stress will kill them quicker than a bullet! But they are very rewarding to keep if you have the time and patience. Read all you can on them to find which species is right for you. And if you do decide to keep them, be sure to have everything set up well in advance. Just don't get too attached for a while, they are tricky. I generally recommend that people have at least 5 years experience with a lot of different herps before getting into chams. Probably one of THE HARDEST to keep. But by the same token, it makes it very rewarding. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]
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Flood · #7 (**permalink**) 11-26-2002, 04:41 PM

Chameleons are kind of tough to take care of only because they are really easily stresses, but a lot of reptiles are like that. The way I see it you'll never learn how to take care of them unless you get one. Start out simple though; with like a veiled or something. Also I hear that they tend to not do as well in aquariums, something about seeing their reflection of something.
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darkangel · #8 (**permalink**) 11-29-2002, 05:37 AM

Well it needs to be able to climb so have a tall cage (stand up cage)with lots of branches and plants so it can climb and blend in. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img]
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RoyalRazer · #9 (**permalink**) 11-29-2002, 06:58 PM

I know about the branches and I know that chameleons are aboreabal (sp?) reptiles. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img]

I don't mind if I can't handle it but you know what they say about animals and their different personalities!

Humidity isn't a problem.... now I just need to know the types and what they are like.

If your telling me some of those biggins get stressed than i'd have trouble believing you!

Is it cool when they change colour?
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Flood · #10 (**permalink**) 11-29-2002, 07:41 PM

I have actually noticed that they come into their coloration with age and size a bit. From what I've seen the "color change" is pretty subtle. Just shades of green and some brown, but I am not terribly experienced with them, I only know the basics. So I may be wrong.
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JuliusSqueezer · #11 (**permalink**) 11-29-2002, 07:51 PM

They change colors constantly....moods cause change as does desire to blend in. Some have some awsome array of colors...turquoise, bright yellow, orange etc along with the usual browns and greens...It is really cool to watch them change color all of a sudden right before your eyes.

Stress? All chameleons are prone to stress and acheive it really easy if not kept in near perfect environments. Of course it is more dangerous to the babies but even the big ones will die if overstressed. No chameleon should ever be housed in a heavy trafficed area or where a cats, dogs or kids can harrass them. They need to be in a quiet, well ventilated area but away from drafts or heat/ac vents. For the most part...they should be left alone other than to feed and otherwise service the cage. Keep handling at a minimum but now and then for short periods is ok just for fun.
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RoyalRazer · #12 (**permalink**) 12-03-2002, 10:25 PM

I saw some really cute baby yemen chameleons in Coldblooded. I think they're great lizards and im sure I could care for one, maybe I'll get one for christmas!!!??!!! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]
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jpaulson · #13 (**permalink**) 12-04-2002, 12:10 AM

I purchased 2 baby veiled chameleons awhile back. They do require lots of work. As babies, they were easy to handle, but it was not a good thing. As babies, they get stressed out VERY easily. As they grew, I handled them constantly!! Once they were sexually matured, the female was ok, but the male was very aggressive. I successfully bred them, and had only 3 or 4 eggs hatch, of which 2 survived past a week.

I loved them, but I beleive that some animals are just not meant to be kept as pets, that you hold whenever...I found this out early. Personally, I think they do better when left alone, and not handled a lot. As I said before, I handled them constantly, and that still did not "tame" them.

I have to disagree with Jules on one point. They did not change colors constantly. When the female was ready to breed, she turned colors, really bright. Once gravid, she turned almost black, with a few color spots. But that was about it. They do not change as often or with as many colors as television implies.

One more note: Once they are sexually mature, you MUST keep them separate!! I had them in two separate trees, once they mated. And this may be true in humans as well---once he got a "shot" with her, there was nothing stopping him!! I would find him crawling across blinds, cords, furniture, even the ceiling to get back with her. One time he did accomplish it, and she fought him off....but he bit her tail so bad, that it paralyzed her from the hind quarters back. I had to put her to sleep.

Hope this helped......

Side note: Flood, they do not change much when young. Once they are mature, then you can see the drastic changes.
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RoyalRazer · #14 (**permalink**) 12-04-2002, 08:30 PM

If I really can't handle them then I won't, but if I give it a while to get used to its home, then have short handling sessions. Maybe I can offer it food whilst holding it so it knows if I pick it up I am going to feed it, not hurt it.

What do you think???
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JuliusSqueezer · #15 (**permalink**) 12-04-2002, 09:09 PM

Depends on the species JP...some do ... some don't...Jackson's do...Panthers do..actually most do. Veileds stay kinda uniform. You can hold something up next to a big fat male Jackson's and he will often leave you a nice silouette of what you put next to him. Females may do it too...I dunno...Ive only ever done it to a male.
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jpaulson · #16 (**permalink**) 12-04-2002, 09:45 PM

Quote:

>>>>I dunno...Ive only done it to a male.<<<< Jules, I HAD to comment on that!!

Royal,

Short handling sessions should be ok, but don't expect them to become loving, affectionate pets. That's not their style. As far as feeding goes, it's hard to hand feed them. They eat live crickets(dusted, of course) and mealworms. Some will take it from your hand, most will not. It is a learned art to know exactly when to release your hold on the cricket as they snag it with their tongue. Good Luck!!!
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RoyalRazer · #17 (**permalink**) 12-07-2002, 04:42 PM

Listen I've had to try and catch locusts from escaping, and mwalworms biting me. I think ill be able to deal. It may take practise but it would be worth it.
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reptilemama · #18 (**permalink**) 12-07-2002, 06:22 PM

Royal, it sounds like you're determined to get a chameleon, but PLEASE, research as much as you possible can before you do! I kept and bred reptiles for 7 years before I got my chameleon, and I was still overwhelmed with the amount of care they need. They can be picky eaters, and may decide the only thing they want to eat is the one that's the most expensive or the hardest to find. They don't show signs of illness until it's almost too late, and when they do, it's an emergency situation. Plus, it's difficult to find a vet that's experienced with chams. Not just any reptile vet will do. Chams are completely different. They are expensive, messy, easily stressed animals that just don't do well without absolutely perfect conditions. Here are some resources to check out. PLease, do as much reading as you can before getting a chameleon.
http://www.adcham.com
http://www.chameleonjournals.com/
http://www.deerfernfarms.com/
http://home.pacbell.net/noodlboy/
http://home.att.net/~chameleons/
http://chamowner.hypermart.net/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Chameleons/
(1) Bartlett, R.D. and Bartlett Patricia P. 1995. Chameleons: Everything
about Selection, Care, Nutrition, Diseases, Breeding, and Behavior.
Hauppauge, NY: Barron's Educational Series, Inc.
(2) Davison, Linda, J. 1997. Chameleons: Their Care and Breeding . Blaine,
WA : Hancock House Publishers
(3) De Vosjoli, Philippe, and Ferguson, Gary. 1995. Care and Breeding of :
Panther, Jackson's, Veiled, and Parson's Chameleons. Santee, CA : Advanced
Vivarium Systems, Inc.
(4) De Vosjoli, Philippe. 1990. The General Care and Maintenance of True
Chameleons: Part I Husbandry. Lakeside, CA: Advanced Vivarium Systems, Inc.
(5) Le Berre, Francois. 1995. The New Chameleon Handbook: Everything about
Selection, Care, Diet, Diseases, Reproduction, and Behavior. Hauppauge, NY:
Barron's Educational Series, Inc.
(6) Martin, James. 1992. Masters of Disguise: A Natural History of
Chameleons. New York, NY : Facts On File, Inc.
(7) Necas, Petr. 1999. Chameleons Nature's Hidden Jewels. Malabar, FL :
Krieger Publishing Company.
(

Schmidt, W., Tamm, K, Wallikewitz, E. 1994. Chameleons: Volume
I -Species. Neptune City ,NJ: T.F.H. Publications, Inc.
(9) Schmidt, W., Tamm, K, Wallikewitz, E. 1994. Chameleons: Volume II -Care
and Breeding. Neptune City ,NJ: T.F.H. Publications, Inc.

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JuliusSqueezer · #19 (**permalink**) 12-07-2002, 06:38 PM

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE> >>>>I dunno...Ive only done it to a male.<<<< Jules, I HAD to comment on that!!
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>

Yah Yah...I actually caught that as I typed it...but decided to leave it so you guys could have some easy ammo. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img]
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RoyalRazer · #20 (**permalink**) 12-07-2002, 11:04 PM

Thanx reptile mama!!!

JS have you been sexually harassing your chams!!!???!!! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img]
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