Getting a Chameleon!!! please help with setup

I think leos are boring too but I'm in love with cresties, and honestly, they're a hell of a lot easier to care for than a chameleon. Chams aren't all that active either, so if you're trying to avoid boring, you might want to skip that too.

If you're looking for more of a challenge, maybe think about dart frogs- they're just as pretty as chameleons and a lot more active. You can't handle them, but you shouldn't be handling a cham either. I wouldn't say they're as care intensive- I don't pay attention to them everyday and I know I can leave them in someone else's care without worrying (too much, but I'm neurotic).

You can also setup some GORGEOUS cages for them to hop around in. :D

Well, as for some good skink varieties... Blue tongues are my favorite but they need lots of room as adults. Other great choices would be Schneider's - very pretty, don't get THAT big, and still simple care, and Fire skinks - also relatively small and pretty. Both of those species are easier than a cham, still look nice and are unusual pets, and normally don't cost a ton either.

And no, we don't hate you (at least I don't think the others do)... we're just trying to make it clear that Chams are a VERY demanding and sensitive herp that need their care 'just so' to survive and thrive. We would rather not see you get overwhelmed by the care demands and especially don't want you to lose your pet.

i find my veilds are probably my most active herp and the most enjoyable to watch... mostly because the time i watch them most is feeding time. i never get enough of the way they stalk up on the prety and *zap* them like that. i love watching them shed too, that's always amuzing... they remind me of a cat preening themselves.

Hey smalls92,

People dont hate you at all, they are just trying to help you avoid possible heartbreak. Go to chameleonforums.com and read,read, read. I think the main concern from people is that you arent going to be there every day. I am sure your mother is perfectly capable, but chameleons can be specific and require a lot of attention to detail. Crickets are time consuming and require a lot of space to get a breeding colony going and should be cleaned every day. Also, a cricket only diet will not suffice as a staple diet you will need to vary it with feeders such as silkworms,hornworms and roaches are just a few. I spend at least 30 minutes a day dealing with feeding,cleaning feeder insects and the cham itself (and I only have 1 cham). Even if you have just 1 cham the husbandry is still time consuming and I think unless you are just completely obsessed your mom will probably get tried of the daily requirements. Try that discussion forum mentioned above and see what you think!!

Dell