Thinking about getting my first chameleon, looking for advice

[vanlaz0r]

Thinking about building a screen enclosure with some plants for a chameleon. Trying to decide between a panther and a Jackson's. Anyone on here with some knowledge on both species who can give me some insight?

[aLittleLessButter]

I had senegal chameleons so can't help ya much on Jackson's or veiled. Senegals are small and don't have a whole lot of color range but are the most social chameleons you can find. They prefer to hang out with their people

[MrLang]

I haven't had one myself but have done a lot of research. My findings were that it's worth it to shell out for a Panther. Veiled and Jackson's are somewhat nasty and Panthers hold brighter colors more of the time, so they display better.

[JiBster816]

I had both and bred both species. If I had to do it all over again I would stick with Panthers. They have more color variations and are bigger then Jacksons when adult. Panthers are more expensive but worth it! You can probably get 1.3 Jacksons for the price of 1 panther but those are wild caught/imports and can carry parasites. Chameleons are meant to be house separately anyways unless for breeding.

[vanlaz0r]

I do like all the color phases of the Panthers but I also really like the little triceratops horns that Jackson's have. What about personality? I know chameleons aren't meant to be handled that often but I've read jacksons can be a little more receptive to human contact.

[JiBster816]

For handling a jackson chameleon is like a corn snake and a Panther is like a ball python! That's just my opinion and everyone is different. I interact with them all. I hand feed them silkworms, dubias, hornworms, crickets and superworms. Yes they fling their tongue and snag the food right off my hand. It all depend on the individual. I handled some of them and some I just leave alone because they seem to be stressed and always flee when I try to hold them.