Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[MattandGem]

Hi
Me and my girl friend are in the process of setting up a vivarium and getting a chameleon.
I have read quite a bit online about them and been to 5 different pet shops that stock them for advice.
I have ordered a vivexotic vivarium online http://www.vivexotic.co.uk/products_ax_beech.html 22"
A habistat dimming thermostat
a Exo Terra Heatwave Rain For.Mat
ive got a Flourescent lamp controller from my old fish tank, but will need to get a new bulb. (any suggestions)
some plastic plants and climbing vines
I need to get a basking lamp (any suggestions)
A Exo Terra Dial Hygrometer and thermometer
A cricket keeper
A little dripper
I thinks thats all i have ordered so far, i am waiting for it all to be delivered so i can set it all up.

What are peoples views on substrate for a baby chameleon? I have read its best not to use anything, just kitchen roll?
Also live plants, what are you views on that Ive read its good to use them but best to have ficus and wash them first?
Can I use any types of wood/branches for the chameleon to climb on or does it have to be cleaned or treated first?
Finally does anyone know where I can buy a baby chameleon from in the south east of England I am located in Hampshire GU35 area.
Some of the petshops I have been in didnt seem like they knew to much about them and werent kept in the nicest of enviroments. I have seen adverts from private sellers which I think I would prefer to buy from.

Thanks in advance to any input or advice

[Stuart Marquis]

what species of chameleon are you talking about? We need to know that before we can offer you advice.

cheers

Stuart

[dartfrog]

If you are looking for a panther cham I would go & see Lee at millenium reptiles in Bishop Stortford.The shop is first class & Lee is most helpful. I have various chams but the Panthers are very placid & gentle,& are a great starter species. If you are looking for a Yemen I would reccomend Coldblooded in Rainham. Best of luck & happy cham keeping.

[MattandGem]

I was thinking about getting a Yemen veiled chameleon as I read that they are easier for a starter chameleon.

[kroakykaren]

Hi MattandGem, if its a yemen you are getting, the viv will need some modification i.e cut the roof out and i would also cut halfway up the sides and replace with mesh as they need lots of ventilation, for my panther vivs i replace the roof with mesh and the bottom panel...... if you are getting a baby it will only need a very small viv to start with, so finding food will be easier
I use reptisun 10% uv for all my chams and lots of live plants as they help with humidity, i use no substrate at all and for babies just a small halogen desk lamp for basking as they prefer cooler temps, hope this has helped a bit, any more questions ask away and i will help best i can
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[harrison]

I bought the ax36 on the link you posted, and removed the bottom glass panel and replaced it with mesh for ventilation, as QueenKaren stated, but if your getting the 22, you might want to think about cutting panels in the side to aid ventilation.

Ventilation is the key you see!



Good luck with him, whoever he be...!

[harrison]

I am a total lemon...

[captainmerkin]

is there anywhere that sells good size vivariums that do not need to be customised for yemens?

this is one thing that I swear was put on the planet to confuse me, some people say get the viv exotic, others get one and replace the mesh and others say use flexariums..

Are the 36 inch viv-exotic ok to use as is ie: set up with no modifications other than relevant lighting/heating/mist system etc.. or do they need to be customised in order to be suitable?

If so why do they sell them as suitable for yemens if they dont have enough ventilation?

Now the flexariums I see as a death wish for anything I put in it as they are so light weight and easily tippable, also I cannot see them retaining heat or humidity?

Best I can find is the perfecto chameleon vivariums which have glass and 3 sides mesh, but they are too bloody small from what I can make out.

I know there are going to be vastly differing opinions about what is best, I have them myself about a lot of things.. but surely there is some common ground that someone has built something based on that I can buy?

[MattandGem]

I did wonder if i would need to modify the viv for better airflow but that shouldnt be a problem.
Ive got another couple of silly questions:

When you spay the viv for the cham to drink and for humidity do you spay the cham as well as the plants and stuff?

When I have been to the reptile shops to get advice and have a look nearly all of the chameleons have been just plane green also the babies were just plane green. Could this be coz the aduts were female? and do the babies go multi coloured when they get older?
Basiclly the photos i have seen on the internet, most of them are mulit coloured, can you tell if a baby will become multi coloured when it gets older or if its just going to be plane green?
Sorry this is probably the stupidist question ever!

[kroakykaren]

Matt no question is stupid when babies its best not to spray them directly, you can expect a baby yemen to be all green but will change colour as it gets older, males have a little spur on their back foot, if you arnt thinking of breeding or just want a single cham i would go for a male
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