My friend's little boy wants a chameleon . The fellow at the pet store claimed they were mighty expensive, and my friend doesn't know if he should believe him . How much can somebody expect to pay for a chameleon ?
2007-04-18 04:29:55 · 8 answers · asked by I_hate_being_single 3 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Chameleons are exspensive in the range of $80-200 for the lizard alone. Then they need a large cage not tank, moving water, and they can't be handled often. Chameleons are one of the most difficult reptiles to care for, I recommend they get him a leopard gecko. They are easier to care for and require a small tank, 15 gallons, and they can be handled and are very friendly. But I really don't recommend any reptile for kids under the age of 13.
2007-04-18 18:50:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, it depends on what the little boy thinks a chameleon is. He may think its something that is really called a green anole. They are readily availabe in pet shops and cost about 6-8 dollars. They are dubbed "the american chameleon" even though they arent really chameleons. Real ones, yes, are over 100 dollars. And not really for kids. More for experienced hobbyists. Green anoles can ok be if the parent helps out a little, because they do have lighting and humidity needs. Geckos are good too. And the green anoles are fun to watch, like little tiny dinosaurs!
2007-04-18 10:00:23 · answer #2 · answered by Mollyruby 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chameleons are very expensive and take a lot of care. I have a pair of Panthers that cost $675.00 about 7 years ago. The reason for the high cost is they cannot be imported, they have to be locally bred. It cost more then a $100.00 for the 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 5 foot cage. And on top of that I have to keep buying plants to put in the cage. You have to provide a sun light source, UV light, that lose their effectiveness in a short time so you spend a lot on light tubes. Then there is the heat lamp or as I have a ceramic heater that is on 24/7. It will have an effect on your electric bill. The crickets or meal worms to feed them are not to expensive but the calcium and vitamins are.
But it fun to see them change colors to fit their mood and watching them throw that tongue out to catch the crickets.
For a little boy I would go for a dog.
2007-04-20 21:59:37 · answer #3 · answered by Tin Can Sailor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chameleons can cost a lot depending on what kind you get i think the cheapest one I have ever seen is about $75.99 and the most expensive I have seen is probably $130 They can get a little pricey for a little lizard that does nothing try looking into a Bearded Dragon and a Leopard Gecko.
2016-05-18 00:36:27 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chameleons run everywhere from $180 to literally thousands depending on what species you are looking at with probably veiled being the cheapest and panthers being the most expensive.
They are definitely not a pet for the beginning reptile keeper. They are very difficult to care for because their caging requirements, humidity requirements, water, and food requirements are very specific and if not followed correctly you can say buh bye to your new baby chameleon.
ex. They can't drink standing water, they have to have a drip or mist system to drink out of. It's advised against housing them in a glass tank because they are often frightened by their own reflection which will stress them out to the point of death. They can't be handled excessively or that to can stress them out.
2007-04-18 07:22:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chameleons are expensive & not for reptile beginners, they require specialized care & enviroments... for the young or the beginner I reccommend Dragon lizards or geckos, specially Leopard geckos, very tame, not too expensive & lots easier to care for !! Just 4 Info, am no "Beginner" love reptiles & for more info do a search, one of our favorite reptile places is called Easy Bay Vivarium, very knowledgable people !!!
2007-04-18 04:41:00 · answer #6 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i live in illinois and veileds are anywhere from $25 to $60 jackson's are anywhere from $40 to $99
and panthers are $175 to $275
also, the little american "chameleons" (green anoles) are $5
obviously the higher the price the more reputable the breeder
2007-04-18 10:28:05 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He should get a pair of anoles! They make great pets, they change color, and they're not too expensive. (under $10 ea., but then you have to buy food, an aquarium, stuff to go in the aquarium, light, etc.)
2007-04-19 07:36:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋