I want a Chameleon

Java · #1 (**permalink**) 04-21-2008, 08:06 PM

since i can remember, i have always been cativated by the beauty of the chameleon. Unfortunatly, i have never had the chance to get one, untill now of course. I volenteer at Regal Reptiles and about a month ago, Shawn Fay(Owner) was given a permit to sell and keep chams. My friend who also volenteers there, bought a baby vieled cham. I have talked to my boss and he says i could get a chameleon for a price that works for me and he has everything that a cham needs to thrive happily. My parents on the other hand, dont want another pet, but my dad says that if i can make high honors for the last quater, i can get a cham.(Talk about motivation) so anyway i just wanted to get a little advice from cham owners. Please note that i am not an amatuer and i have worked with many chams and regal and i have learn a great amount about how to care for chams. The main thing i want to know is about temperment. I know that they are not like other lizards or geckos that can be handled quite frequently, but they should be handled reguarlly to build a relationship. I have heard that they can be very very aggressive and i have worked with only one who bit me( kinda hurt haha). So i want you to tell me which species is more aggressive and which one does better in captivity, a Veiled, or a Panther. thanks

C.Frankenstein · #2 (**permalink**) 04-21-2008, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Java

The main thing i want to know is about temperment. I know that they are not like other lizards or geckos that can be handled quite frequently, but they should be handled reguarlly to build a relationship. I have heard that they can be very very aggressive

No, they really shouldn't be handled unless absolutely needed. Chameleons are complicated animals, and the last thing they have any interest in is 'building a relationship' with any other animal, let alone a giant human being.

As far as aggression goes, what do you expect? These are slow moving creatures that rely on blending in, not running away.

jtmoney · #3 (**permalink**) 04-21-2008, 08:35 PM

If you want a animal you can handle then please dont get a cham

Delicate species that doesnt like handling. Cham's are more of a look at reptile than a hands on.

If I got a cham it would be a jeweled (small one)

leoares27 · #4 (**permalink**) 04-21-2008, 09:15 PM

Unfortunately, I have to agree...they are not animals that like, or even really tolerate handleing. And, If you get a female, they lay eggs, whether there is a male or not...AND, if they don't feel totally secure, they will not lay them, they will become eggbound and then die.
I had one, a female, she hated being held, she had her first cluch of eggs, no problem (unfertiled)...then she got eggbound with her second, we switched her to a more quiet room, did the same for her first cluch, but she would not lay the eggs...she died shortly after! it was awful
This is her,...

telefrag · #5 (**permalink**) 04-21-2008, 10:21 PM

If your dead set on a chameleon, I would recommend a young Captive bred male Jacksons.
They are probably the most forgiving one I have worked with from a husbandry perspective.

jbd123 · #6 (**permalink**) 04-21-2008, 10:40 PM

My parents have veiled chameleons and the male actually likes to be handled and come out of the cage (he'll even eat a cricket from your fingers!), but I can't say that for all of them. I guess he's just special.

Java · #7 (**permalink**) 04-21-2008, 10:55 PM

i know that they are not the kind of creature that is supossed to be handled. And i know thats the handeling can be stressful. If i get a cham im not gonna handle it frequently, but at regal our veiled chams are very very healthy and docile. I think that maybe there personalities vary alot, I mean at regal we dont handle them much( 1-2 a week) and they are still really docile. If they were unhealthy wouldn't they be very pale or dark all the time, and not eating or funtioning? well they show their bright healthy colors and eat like pigs( they love cockroaches!) I mean you get the point, they are healthy. I just want you to know i do not plan on handeling the cham much.

jbd123 · #8 (**permalink**) 04-21-2008, 10:57 PM

Charlie, my mom's veiled, is handled nearly every day because he likes to come out and bask on the front porch in the sunlight. He doesn't seem to mind and he's doing absolutely great. However, the female isn't that way, and gets easily stressed. I really think that Male Veiled chams are probably the most "durable" chameleon I've ever known. I had Jacksons a few years back and they're also pretty good, but a little more sensitive then my mother's male Veiled.

florida 87 · #9 (**permalink**) 04-21-2008, 11:45 PM

I'm gonna agree with JBT, I think male veilds are the most durable. My roommate had one that was handled a few times a week, and lived a nice long life. When customers ask about them, I tell them its like buying a bird. Its basically a little animal that perches on you and goes where it pleases.

I had a male panther for a few years who was also a sweetie. I would assume he didn't get stressed while he was out (he would gladdly take insect treats from my fingers while on my arm) but he deffinately would start to tweak out if he was out for too long. The only downfall with panthers is they're (stupidly) expensive, for an animal with such a short lifespan. If you're thinking about a cham (which you obviously are or else you wouldn't have posted this thread) I'd go with a veiled

jtmoney · #10 (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 01:42 AM

Between those two .. veiled

Java · #11 (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 02:51 AM

i want to thank you all for every thing.

leoares27 · #12 (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 04:20 AM

guess you should go with a male if you do get the veiled...
good luck!

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