Looking for a Cham.. please help with information!

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Posted by MidnightFalcon on May 07, 2003 at 15:34:12:

In Reply to: Looking for a Cham.. please help with information! posted by charm_paradise on May 07, 2003 at 13:43:06:

Thanks John! I don't think you're aware of how much that really did help me, and thanks for the sites, I'll check them out right after I'm done posting. I may not be able to get a chameleon for 2+ months, but I think I'll stay here a read as much as I can about them, and build the cage ahead of time. Is there a certain type of wood I should use? I saw some of the panthers on here, and I love the way they look! When I get it, I'll let you all know.

Once again, thank you so very much.
Josh.

5 Most Common Asked
:Questions

:What chameleon is best for the new guy?

:The chameleon recommended for the new guy would
:be a Veiled or Panther chameleon. They are very hearty for a chameleon but not a
:walk in the park. Both can handle swings in temperature and humidity for a short
:period of time. Veiled chameleons are the most widely available chameleon and the
:cheapest. The panther chameleons cost a lot more but give you a much more
:colorful chameleon and a lot more colors to choose from. Veileds come from Yemen
:and Saudi Arabia�
:which is in a desert sub tropical mountainous environment. They require a higher temperature
:(100F basking area) and lower (60%) humidity. Panthers come from Madagascar
:which is a tropical region and like a slightly lower temperature (80-90 basking
:area) and much higher humidity (80+%). Both are available as CB (captive breed)
:and the panthers are available as WC (wild caught). You want to get CB
:chameleon, as they are raised in captivity and adapt much easier, with fewer
:problems to worry about.

:What kind of cage do I need for a
:chameleon?

:Chameleons need to be housed in an all
:screen cage. Do not keep chameleons in all glass aquariums. Glass tanks cause
:many problems for chameleon. Since they are made of glass which is reflective,
:and the chameleon can see its reflection, this causes stress. The glass also
:doesn�t allow for airflow, this causes stagnant air and high heat and humidity
:which leads to URI (upper respiratory infection). The glass also causes burns
:from the heat lamp warming the cage. Also the glass grows bad bacteria and all
:these problems cause constant stress and disease which leads to the death in no
:time at all. You will need in an all screen cage that is at least 24in. L x
:24in.W x 48in. H ( L.= length, W.= width, H.= height ) for a full grown of adult
:veiled or panther chameleon.

:What type of lighting and heating do I
:need?

:There are two different ways of lighting and
:heating a chameleon cage. The first way is the older proven way, which is with a
:UVB fluorescent bulb and a 100w or less basking bulb. This way you will need a Zoomed Repti-Sun 5.0 fluorescent UVB bulb and a fluorescent fixture to fit the bulb.
:Then you will also need a 100w or less basking bulb (you can use a bulb that puts off
:visible light or a ceramic bulb that does not put off visible light. The
:difference is the visible light doesn�t last very long and will need to be
:replaced about every three to four months and costs less. The ceramic bulb which
:last over one year, cost more, but lasts longer. ) and one, 8.5 inch dome
:reflector with a ceramic socket. The second way is with a 100w mercury vapor
:bulb which combines both UVB & UVA and heat in one bulb. (I use the mercury
:vapor bulbs on all my cages.) You would use a Zoomed Power Sun or Big Apple
:Capture The Sun bulb (U.S. only). I do not recommend the T-rex Active UV bulbs
:because they don�t last long. The mercury vapor bulbs have a one year warranty
:and produce a much better UVB light that can penetrate up to 6ft. These bulbs
:are a newer way of lighting and heating a cage, and so far have worked great for
:me. You will save money by combining the two in one, and on the light fixtures.
:You only need one 10in. dome reflector with a porcelain socket.

:What do I feed my chameleon and how do I give it water?

:Chameleons eat insects as their main diet, some
:will eat plant matter (Veileds). The most widely available insects are crickets,
:meal worms, wax worms, and super worms. The only one of those that is good for a
:staple diet would be crickets; all the others are good only as treats. Another
:insect that is good as a staple diet is the silk worms. They are the best staple
:diet, but require special food and needs so most people don�t use them until
:they are in season ( available at your local pet shop ). You can buy them year
:round online at
:
:www.mulberryfarms.com or
:
:www.ebay.com. Before
:feeding insects to your chameleon you need to gut load, and crickets are easily
:gut loaded with commercially available foo

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