Chameleons - good pets?

[JoyceDivision]

So, after holding a chameleon on a day out, ds has decided he really really really wants a chameleon.

Does anyone have one as a pet? How tricky are they to look after? Would you recommend them?

You should research into the two main breeds that pet shops carry, one is a Panther chameleon and one is Yemen I believe. Have you kept any other reptiles before? They are not usually one to start with. I used to want one but they require very strict humidity levels and aren't as social as you may think. Also very expensive to maintain, with humidity, heat, light running all the time, and the live food too.

Panther chameleons are stunning and on my one day list of pets but I did a lot of research and they are definitely not for the first time reptile keeper. They need a variety of live food, a large enclosure which is humidity and temperature managed and they aren’t terribly keen on being handled. I might get one when DS and the bump are old enough to understand to leave them in peace in about 10 years time! Would make holidays tricky though, I struggled to find people who’d do basic care for my geckos when I was away I imagine a Chameleon would be even harder to find holiday care for.

Please don't buy a child a chameleon as a pet. They are not very easy to care for, the proper vivarium set-up is expensive, there aren't always specialist vets locally to treat them if they get ill and they can be grumpy buggers.

How would you know it hadn't escaped?

VanGoghsDog, good question

To be honest I'm 99% convinced it's a no, D's is a lovely boy and I think he'd love the pet but not the care required and heat, misting the vivarium, calcium on food etc

I think chameleons are interesting and rewarding reptiles. Probably the most. How old is he? If he’s old enough to understand they can’t be bothered all the time and if you’re prepared to fund and supervise the very specific and expensive housing, food and heating requirements then it might be possible.

There are some types that are hardier, also you can get smaller chams such as helmeted chams that stay small and need smaller set ups.

If you’d rather have an easier reptile bearded dragons are super friendly, more hardy and easier to care for. Or geckos but they are nocturnal. Uromastyx also a good option plus vegetarian.

You need to find a reptile specialist vet.

Go to a specialist reptile shop and they’ll advise you.

Thank you, D's was smitten after he watched a chance leg it out of it's area and scramble up it's keeper's arm and clutch her neckline of her top like a baby

DH said food and heating was eye watering... Keep telling D's to look at Lego

They don't survive well in captivity.

Yes they do McFugget. 5-8 years or more vs 1-2 in the wild. People used to keep the viv too humid. Once that was rectified they thrived.

Have you thought about a bearded dragon - very happy in captivity and love being handled - will even walk out side on a harness when big enough - they are very resilient and don't tend to panic when handled - chameleons on the other hand don't really like being handled, need quite a lot of care and very specific enclosures - we spent a lot of time talking to a number of local experts about which reptile to get DD and bearded dragon was the recommendation and he is lovely he's pretty sleepy during the day until she gets home from school and then he wants to play and come out of his viv but he knows when it's bed time and goes to sleep quite happily and makes no noise overnight (crickets which he eats on the other hand are a different story! So you need to be prepared for the live food element of reptile care)

Happy to answer any questions on the beardie front if you think that might be an option x

Hi Paddler, thanks for the info, not thought of a bearded dragon. The fact they would be more used to handling and possibly less pecific enclosure and care requirements are a pretty big plus!

Chameleons are gorgeous and I would love one..however...

The cost it would take to set up their viv to begin with is extornate. On top of that, you need to maintain strict temperature and humidity.

If that goes wrong, they can get ill very quickly.

They also not so keen on being handled all the time. They want to be as high as they possibly can and stay there. Not an ideal pet for a 10 year old.

Beardies are quite good. They don’t need such strict conditions. Dry but hot.

Can be slightly aggressive if not handled regularly though and are complete gannets as babies but it rounds off as adults. One to look at

Leopard geckos are another one to look at but these are nocturnal and you must be careful not to pick them up by the tail as it will drop off

Crested geckos are another good first reptile and they don’t need live food, can cope with just special fruit based food and vitamin supplements. Cling to walls like proper geckos and don’t mind being handled although you have to be careful as if they drop their tail it doesn’t regrow. Much smaller viv needed too although it still needs to be a decent size and ignore anyone who says they can live at UK room temperature- only if you heat the room they are in to over 20 degrees day and night!

Please don't buy a child a chameleon. Really sensitive animals who die easily if not kept properly and they are very susceptible to metabolic bone disease.

They need a properly set up arboreal Viv with the right temperature gradient for species, UVB light provided and the correct humidity. Common issue is eye disorders due to incorrect humidity.

They can live a long time in captivity if kept properly but generally don't because people don't keep them in the correct conditions.

I don't recommend reptiles as pets for kids at all. Too easy to get bored of or be ignored. But if set on the idea a bearded dragon is easier to keep properly than a chameleon