Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[Amie]

Im a snake keeper myself, but my OH has a fascination with Chameleons so i have decided to get him one for his April birthday which gives me time to read up on their husbandry

What breed are suitable for beginners, what kinda set up would i need and can someone point me in the direction of care sheets, requirements and where to buy please?

Ta!

[kroakykaren]

Hi Amie, most people say yemens are suitable for beginners as they are a bit more forgiving of slight mistakes, but i feel if you do your research Panthers can also make an excellent starter chameleon and most have better dispositions than Yemens, I started with a yemens and Pygmy chams after reading everything i could find lol. Have a look at these links they are full of good info and i am sure Rick will be along at some point to give you advice
http://www.adcham.com/
http://www.chameleonnews.com/
http://www.ukchameleons.co.uk/captivecare.htm
Love Karen
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[robje29]

Hi,
I started with the Veiled or Yemens chameleon, both the same species.
This species out of all of them across the board is recomended to start with as the care requirements are fairly easy to provide compared to other species available.
Everything you need can be bought online at www.livefoods.co.uk
You will need a flexarium of suitable size, smaller for baby veils, a full spectrum light, a dripper for water supply as they do not drink from water bowls, plants to climb on along with other climbing objects such as flexi vines, a decent thermostat to monitor the temperature, feeds should be gut loaded on cricket diet plus & dusted with nutrobal once or twice a week. care sheets can be found by typing chameleon care info into google, read lots to see the consistent info

Good luck

[Rickeezee]

Both Yemens and Panther chameleons are a good species to keep for newcomers. Yemens are more forgiving of husbandry mistakes but the correct level of care should still be given.

Yemens come from Saudi Arabia and have different requirements than that of Panthers who originate from Madagascar.

Amie your doing exactly the right thing by researching first.

Yemens are much cheaper to purchase than Panthers, a captive bred baby Yemens can be had for an average price of £35 Panthers average prices start at 100.

I breed both Panthers and Yemens and I provide different care for both baby Yemens and baby Panthers than the care required for adults of both species. I raise both species when babies, in various size glass exo terra terrariums. Lower temps than that of adults and also more frequent misting as babies can dehydrate and overheat more quickly than adults.

Basic care differences between the two species:

Yemens
Require: High basking spot temperatures approx 92-98f cool end down to approx75f
Need a well ventilated arboreal viv, I would suggest 75% mesh.
High UV output tube needed 8-10%

Panthers
Basking spot approx 80-85f
Cool end down to 70f
A humidity retaining viv humidity approx at 75% still requires good ventilation preferably lower front and top of arboreal viv
5% UV tube

These are just the basics but the links that Karen has given will give more detail and you will allways find slight variations on various care sheets.

I would shop around for the equipment as there are much cheaper suppliers than the link posted.

If you read back through the various chameleon posts there are plenty of posts that go into great detail on the care of Yemens both adult and babies. Have a read and see what you think and if you have more questions post them up! Enjoy your research. Good luck.
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www.rickslivefood.co.uk