New to chameleons... questions??

[chubbyfire]

Hello all-

I've always been a frog guy... but within the last couple weeks or so I've actually taken an interest in chameleons. Before I never really took the time to look into them, but I gota say they are freakin neat! Anyways, my awe aside... I do have some questions I want to ask to help guide me in the right direction.

Having owned amphibians before, I am aware of the responsibility in keeping these types of pets and know it can be costly for correct setups to keep your herp/reptile happy... so those ground rules I pretty much got covered. The questions I have are actually in regards to the different types of species, habitat layouts like enclosures n such, ideal methods of buying them... and lastly why YOU like chameleons .

I’ve done a little bit of research already and read up a few write ups on veiled chameleons… I understand they seem to be the most common and are easy to keep… but in a nutshell, can you give a little info on the other popular species… like which types are easy to keep, moderate, only for experts… ups n downs to each maybe? Temperament of each also??

Soo the write ups said veiled chameleons require screened enclosures for max ventilation. Is it necessary for all the walls to be screened? Or can you get away with a few walls being solid? Is it ideal to try and recreate their natural habitat with lots of vegetation?

As for where to buy… is it best to buy from a pet store? Or a reptile show? Maybe online from a trusted breeder? And of course my last question is what about a chameleon do you love? What would be your advice to a first time keeper? Any do's or don’ts you cant get out of a book or find in an online article??

Any help, opinions, and info is greatly appreciated!! Thanks much,

-Andy

[chameleonare]

hi andy,

I have been looking into getting a veiled or (yemen) cham for quite a while now and should be buying one that I have been watching in a local pet store soon.
Just wondering where you live, if you live in a hot country like USA then a screened inclosure is an ideal one. but if, like me, you live in a slightly colder country like England than i would recommend buying a wooden one with a mesh top or mesh door for a bit of airflow.

[chubbyfire]

Thanks on the reply. I do live in the states, but I live in the Pacific Northwest of Washington. Its actually pretty cold most of the year here. I'm looking to keep it inside the house. However, I might be moving to Souther Oregon in a year, so an outside enclsoure would be great then. Kind of a wierd question but I've known some people to keep reptiles that gave off kind of a foul smell...are chameleons associated with any sort of distinctive smell?

[beckdg]

me personally, i would either go all open except maybe a background. the only way i'd consider even closing in 3 sides is if i were to put a standpipe or 2 in through the floor to increase airflow. the idea here is that they'll need a heat source. heat rises. if one were to leave an open top (screened in of course) and a couple decent size stand pipes through the floor then maybe, just maybe it might not suffocate to death... or close to it.

in most cases a fowl smell related to reptiles has something to do with care and cleaning regime of the keeper. in other cases just shear numbers could do it. i have a 6'+ boa... no smell... 2 fish tanks, both pretty much over populated... no smell... and now a hermit crabitat (long story including the fair and my 5 yr old)... no smell. although we do have a very old cocker spaniel that often smells the place up with a fresh pile. she is the only animal in the house that's not my job so that explains that.

i have no idea of the climate in southern oregon but i'd venture a guess that an outside enclosure would not be the best idea for a cham there either.

chams are very sensitive and will not survive an environment that can get... hmmm... superbowl partyish even once in many cases.

to get a cham a trusted breeder is really your best bet. even the stress of going to reptile shows can be a little much and from what i know many breeders will not bring their chams. there are a few exceptions though.

chams in general are really only for experts, not just certain ones. as far as temperament that's pretty much a personality thing with a lot of them.