Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[Brew]

Hi, I originally posted this on the "Say hello" section as it was my first post, probably the wrong move so I've copied it into the more relevant section, hope that's ok.

I've been considering getting a Cham for a while but not exactly which route to take. Firstly I live in Suffolk, the only one I've ever seen locally in any pet shop was a solitary flapneck, has been there ages, so the first question is does anybody know of a reputable breeder or shop in East Anglia or South East? Second question is which would be the best line/strain/type to take on as a newbie? I've been reading up and I seem to go round and round, and read conflicting reports. I came across this forum last nite and it seemed a friendly informative place to set down roots so to speak.
As I've said I read different reports and people have different opinions, So I thought it time to ask rather than just readin. I would prefer a panther of some type to a Yemen! However would I be better going for a Yemen due to difficulty level...........the questions go on and on, and I'm not sure how available a lot of these breeds are?
I'm a dedicated pet keeper and what ever I decide to take on will get my complete devotion, sorry for the long post but it's difficult to know what to ask to start with.
I'll sum up and shut up shall I , any good breeders I can contact and which strain of Cham would/could you advise. The viv I'm not to concerned about at the moment, and I will plan that in more detail (well in advance) when I'm sure what I am going to house. If you can help me by askin me questions please go ahead

Thanks a lot in advance

[unbreakable]

A male panther would be fine as long as you do your research and dont cut any corners in setting up and husbandry techniques. I dont know of any breeders in your area but it is worth travelling to get a good panther, try Lee Warren on this forum, he has a good selection of healthy panthers.

[captainmerkin]

Both Yemens and Panther are superb animals and from what I can gather not much different in terms of care.

I have two Yemens and despite their attitudes they are great, moderately laid back and excellent to watch.

Once they go into a new house, I am getting a panther as I hear these are more likely to interact with me in a way that is not squeeling or hissing.

[kinyonga]

Here are some good sites you might like to look at...
http://www.adcham.com/
http://www.chameleonnews.com/
http://www.uvguide.co.uk/index.htm
http://web.archive.org/web/20060502074415/www.chameleonjournals.com/vet/index.php?show=8.Gout.Basics.html


Its important to provide a suitable basking area so that the chameleon can be warm enough to digest its food properly. The temperature range depends on the species you get. You can use a regular incandescent household bulb in a hood for this.

Exposure to UVB either from the sun of a UVB tube/linear light will allow the chameleon to produce vitamin DS3 which will allow it to use the calcium in its diet. UVB from the tube light or the sun should not pass through glass or plastic. Compact/spiral bulbs are not recommended...they have been known to cause eye problems, etc.

Since most feeder insects have a poor ratio of calcium to phosphorous, I dust the insects at most feedings with a phos. free calcium powder. This helps to make up for it.

To ensure that the chameleon gets its vitamins I dust with a vitamin powder that contains a beta carotene source of vitamin A twice a month lightly. Beta carotene can not build up in the system. There is controversy as to whether all chameleons can convert beta carotene though, so some people give a little preformed vitamin A once in a while. Preformed can build up in the system and excess preformed can prevent the D3 from doing its job and lead to MBD so don't overdo it. (Beta carotene (prOformed) is mostly from veggies and greens...prEformed (retinol) is from animal sources...the animals have already made the vitamin A and when the chameleon eats it, it then has prEformed vitamin A.

If the chameleon only gets UVB from the tube light, then you might want to dust with a phos.-free calcium/D3 powder lightly a couple of times a month. D3 from supplements builds up in the system though so don't overdo it either.

Gutloading the insects and feeding them a nutritious diet s important too.

Calcium, phos., D3 and vitamin A are the main players in bone health and they need to be in balance. When trying to balance them you need to look at your supplements, what you feed to the insects and what you feed to the chameleon.

If you get a female, you need to provide her with a suitable place to lay eggs in her cage once she is sexually mature because she may produce eggs even if not mated. Its also important not to overfeed adult females...it leads to health issues.

Substrate, waterfalls are not recommended.

Hope this helps!

[kinyonga]

Oops...said DS3 instead of D3 at one point!
Sorry!

[Brew]

Thanks for taking the trouble to reply, I really do appreciate it. As I've said I am dedicated in whatever I do, so I want to get it right the first time. I have a particular fondness to panther over Yemen, as captainmerkin states, I believe they will interact more with the keeper? although I'm not ruling Yemen out as I'm not sure on availability of any Cham locally.
Kinyonga; Thanks for your extensive reply, I'lll refer to this many times I'm sure, I appreciate all your advise and as you stated some things depends on which species I get, I think this is posing my biggest initial problem, where can I find a good source for my Cham? I would like an option, as opposed to going to the last pet shop, where they have had their one and only Flapneck, for at least 6 months, and having to buy it cos it's my only option.
Unbreakable; I totally agree, I am willing to travel a good bit if needs be, but I was concerned that the longer the journey for the Cham, it may be of detrimental effect? I'm not sure how they would suffer a long journey (am I being over cautious) How would I contact Lee Warren?

Cheers again

[tigerbaby2k]

LeeWarren is a member on here - you can search for him and PM him, or you can ring his shop - Millennium Reptiles 01279 306392

Im having some Panthers at the end of the year from him - very excited!

He takes great care of his babies, and his shop is amazing - very clean and attractive. He sells the Panthers at 3 months old with a 30 day health guarrentee.

Good luck and keep us informed what ya take on!
_________________
Sophxx

Counting down the weeks til I get my Cham! My beardie is 10 1/2 years old

1.0 Bearded Dragon
1.0 Lhasa apso
1.1 Lionheads
0.1 Syrian Hamster

[unbreakable]

i wouldnt worry too much about transporting them, just keep them quiet and if you are travelling by car obviously not too hot and not too cold. People ship them from state to state in America and they are often bought in Germany and travel back here, oh yeah not fogettting the bit where they get caught in madagascar and reach places the other side of the globe lol (nearly forgot that one!!!)

[Brew]

Thanks, I have heard of Millennium reptiles, it's a name that has come up a few times and I've only read good reports. Sadly it's a good 6 hour round trip for me, but If I can't find anything more local (doesn't look like I will) then that's what it will have to be I guess. I've never liked the thought of it to be honest with like goods, but I would imagine mail order is a big no no? I think his web site is still being constructed.
Maybe I'm going to have to get my Viv set up well in advance, then take a trip out to collect. If I plan for a panther and something goes wrong and I end up with a Yemen, would the set up be that different? Finally (for now lol) is there any particular locale of Panther that is to be avoided or favored over others, or are choices fairly restricted?
Thanks again

[tigerbaby2k]