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 #1863101


PythonPal18
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 Iguanas or Chameleons?

I wanted both but I can’t afford both so it’s down to one. Which one makes the better pet? Chameleons are so small and cute and Iguanas are big and beautiful, but I heard they slap you...
09/19/08  01:14am

 #1863106


Sulfurboy1o3
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   Message To: PythonPal18   In reference to Message Id: 1863101


 Iguanas or Chameleons?

If you havent had much for reptile experience neither would be a good pet to start w/. they require a good amount of work and time. iggys are known to get fairly agressive and chams have high stress levels.
09/19/08  01:43am

 #1863111


Jacob92eg
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   Message To: Sulfurboy1o3   In reference to Message Id: 1863106


 Iguanas or Chameleons?

i would recommend an iguana, chams are a pain in the smiley
09/19/08  01:51am

 #1863224


Lesley251067
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   Message To: Jacob92eg   In reference to Message Id: 1863111


 Iguanas or Chameleons?

I have both, I started with a Yemen Chameleon, once you have their set up right, they are so easy to keep, Iguanas on the other hand are much much more involved, and unless you really understand these animals I would suggest you steer clear, I didn’t realise how involved it was to have an Iguana, I wouldn’t be without him now but like I say if you haven’t any knowledge of these gorgeous reptiles I would advise you getting a Cham, although they too need a fair bit of special treatment depending on which species you get. Please please do not get an Iguana not until you really understand their needs, they are very hard work at first, andthier diet has to be met you can’t just give an Iguana pellets they need a variety of foods and supplements. Chameleons (yemen) merely need thier heat source, UV, Viv, and eat crickets, meal worms, locust, wax worms, green grass hoppers to name a few but their food is pretty easy, cleaning is easy, but of course it is entirely up to you, also have a good reptile vet at hand..(females need calcium supplement) hope this helps all the best..below is some pictures of my Iguana set up and pics of my Chams all the best, Lesley

Iguana Enclosure

Feed

My Iguana

Female Yemen Chameleon

Male Yemen Chameleon
09/19/08  11:12am

 #1863301


Manics mum
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   Message To: Lesley251067   In reference to Message Id: 1863224


 Iguanas or Chameleons?

Hi I’ve kept water dragons for a couple of years now and I’ve just got two iggs. I think the water dragons are a very good starter reptile , they will sit and be stroked and are fairly easy to keep once the set up is right. And they don’t need quite as much space as an igg , and they are georgous looking .
Here’s my male and female





09/19/08  12:51pm

 #1863651


PythonPal18
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   Message To: Manics mum   In reference to Message Id: 1863301


 Iguanas or Chameleons?

Gorgeous lizards! A Water Dragon it is!
09/19/08  08:05pm

 #1866621


ThomasG
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   Message To: PythonPal18   In reference to Message Id: 1863651


 Iguanas or Chameleons?

I would not recommend a Water Dragon as a starter lizard whatsoever.


I’d go with a leopard gecko or a bearded Dragon if you have little or no experience with reptiles.



09/23/08  03:06pm

 #1867024


Infamous
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   Message To: ThomasG   In reference to Message Id: 1866621


 Iguanas or Chameleons?

honestly it doesn’t make a difference what type of animal you get, as long as you do all your research. My iggy is my first reptile but i made sure i knew every little detail i could before i even got one as a pet. It all comes down to do you have room for an enclosure for an iguana and do you have the time and money to put into it. Just look both up and go from there. =)
09/23/08  10:16pm

 #1867152


Pocochu
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   Message To: ThomasG   In reference to Message Id: 1866621


 Iguanas or Chameleons?

I’d have to agree with ThomasG...a Bearded Dragon or leopard gecko would be the way to go for a starter pet......

I have both Iggys & Water Dragons and they both are a high maintenance reptile...not for a beginner in my opinion...

But still do that research, do as much as you can....good for the brain...LOL....



09/24/08  05:00am

 #1867221


Multireps
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   Message To: Pocochu   In reference to Message Id: 1867152


 Iguanas or Chameleons?

i say go with a teradactile
09/24/08  08:40am

 #1867331


Gone green
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   Message To: Multireps   In reference to Message Id: 1867221


 Iguanas or Chameleons?

My first lizard was a chameleon . and although there smaller then igs they are alot of work. i found they are easilier suceptible to mbd then igs. they are also not a pet you want to be handling alot. there more of a show and tell. I know have 2 igs that i love , which don’t get me wrong are alot of work as well not to forget there a more aggressive lizard then chameleons. honestly if i could do it all over again i would have started with a bearded dragon. I personally think a person should already have lizard experience before taking on an iguana.
09/24/08  11:15am

 #1867389


Birdfever69
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   Message To: PythonPal18   In reference to Message Id: 1863101


 Iguanas or Chameleons?

i have never had a cham before, but i know from a few friends they are a pain to care for. most people think they are easy to care for cuz you can just stick them in a cage, feed and water them, and keep them warm...i once watched a video on the importing and selling of exotic reptiles, and even though i dont like what was said, i have to agree. no one in this world is able to properly care for any reptile. a reptile is nothing like a cat or dog, it has very special needs and living condiotions. ive interned at a pet place before, and had people come up to me saying they got an iggy cuz it was small and cool looking, but no one ever told them that IT WILL reach an adult lenght of almost 6 ft no matter the cage size. we all have our reptiles here, and as much as i hate it, it should not be allowed to keep a reptile.

i started with tree frogs as a kid (i know, they are amphibains) because i always loved frogs. my first reptile was a lepoard gecko. only reason i have her is because my mother bought her on a whim, then stopped caring for her. then i adopted a tokay gecko. only reason i took her in was cuz the kid who had her, had her living in a very small cardboard box on hamster bedding and didnt want to spend his money on food for her. so i gave the kid 20$ and brought her home. then came my iguana who was also a rescue. she had come in with a male, who had torn her foot off. the lady told me that if no one took her, she would either "rot away" in a small cage, or be put down. she had been at the center for about 2 weeks, and people had looked at her, but when they saw her foot, they lost interest. the day i got her, i was going everywhere asking questions, buying books, and talking to people. i spent the next 2 weeks online and reading books about her. i bought her a 65 gallon repitarium (spent 70$ on that alone) until i could get her cage built. spent a little under 200$ on the cage materials alone, and at least 40$ every paycheck on food if not more.

if you cant afford both an iggy and a cham at the same time, then you dont need either. both are very pricy to take care of. for an iggy, you need a uvb light-17$, a heating light- between 8-14$, a basking light- i pay 12$ for mine. not to mention that the thermostats and guages are pretty pricy. a good one can run you between 15-40$. calicum sprays for both her and her food. food always has to be fresh. collards, mustard and turnip greens, kale, bok choy, green beans, squash, zuccuni, apples, bananas, grapes, melons, and the list goes on. they have very fragile bones, so vet bills can get pricy as well. just to walk into my vet with her is 90$. a baby iguana is only around 20$...but can you afford their lifestyle?

i learn something new about her everyday. she is my flesh and bone child, and love of my heart like my birds, cats, and geckos. think of having a reptile like getting married, a big commitment. i wish you luck in your choice, and do your research with more than a half hearted attempt. also ask yourself...if i get this...will i get bored of it in a few weeks?

take care hun.
09/24/08  12:51pm


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