Chameleon or leachie or chahoua? Help me decide!

**Sublime Reptiles** · 06-01-2012, 12:26 PM

There are plenty of species of chams that stay smaller, not all of them require 60+ gallon tanks. If you were going to get a cham I would suggest going with an easier to keep species, like a graceful cham, not overly flashy, but they are smaller and pretty easy to care for as far as chams go.

But think long term with the species you choose, are you going to be able to offer a large enough space if you do decide to go with a larger species? I know long term can be hard to grasp, but this is something you NEED to talk over with your mom, will you have space for a 90 gallon or larger for some chams, what about leachies are you going to have the space long term for them? If you ask your mom and youre limited on space the chewie might be a better choice for you. But like I said you seriously need to ask your mom on what HER limit is, your limit might be 200 gallons, hers may be 50, and that can seriously determine which species of these 3 you can safely keep.

But also handling, do you want a show piece or do you want a handling pet? If you want a good handling pet go with the chewie. If you dont mind being crapped on and bit at because they can be cage aggressive, get a leachie. And if you just want to look at it and go "ooo yur pretty", then consider a cham. Like I said there is more to it then just cage space. Also look at care, some chams prefer cooler temps and higher humidity, others prefer warmer temps mod humidity, others cooler and mod humidity. They can really vary, but not all of them are good beginner species. So I think you need to sit down and talk with your mom once you move, see how much space she will allow you to have. Then ask yourself is she willing to care for your reptile while youre at school. Or do you save your money and invest in a misting system. If you go on vacations will you have someone to care for them (obviously rhacs are easier to find pet sitters for since they can go bug free)? I think you need to take a step back and really think things over with your mom.

**StephenS** · 06-01-2012, 12:37 PM

Originally Posted by Extremecrestie

I already have multiple cresties. And want to get into the other rhacs. So yes I do have the care and husbandry down for cresties.

Thanks though,
Cole

I remember you posting about having one or more Rhac. Sarasinorum in your collection... If this is a true statement then you should know if Rhacs are a genus that you enjoy caring for.

And if you do enjoy Rhacodactylus, I would say try a Garg or a Chahoua next.

**Extremecrestie** · 06-01-2012, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by StephenS

I remember you posting about having one or more Rhac. Sarasinorum in your collection... If this is a true statement then you should know if Rhacs are a genus that you enjoy caring for.

And if you do enjoy Rhacodactylus, I would say try a Garg or a Chahoua next.

Yes I did get a Sara a while back and still have her. And I do love rhacs

**Extremecrestie** · 06-01-2012, 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by thongwedgie

There are plenty of species of chams that stay smaller, not all of them require 60+ gallon tanks. If you were going to get a cham I would suggest going with an easier to keep species, like a graceful cham, not overly flashy, but they are smaller and pretty easy to care for as far as chams go.

But think long term with the species you choose, are you going to be able to offer a large enough space if you do decide to go with a larger species? I know long term can be hard to grasp, but this is something you NEED to talk over with your mom, will you have space for a 90 gallon or larger for some chams, what about leachies are you going to have the space long term for them? If you ask your mom and youre limited on space the chewie might be a better choice for you. But like I said you seriously need to ask your mom on what HER limit is, your limit might be 200 gallons, hers may be 50, and that can seriously determine which species of these 3 you can safely keep.

But also handling, do you want a show piece or do you want a handling pet? If you want a good handling pet go with the chewie. If you dont mind being crapped on and bit at because they can be cage aggressive, get a leachie. And if you just want to look at it and go "ooo yur pretty", then consider a cham. Like I said there is more to it then just cage space. Also look at care, some chams prefer cooler temps and higher humidity, others prefer warmer temps mod humidity, others cooler and mod humidity. They can really vary, but not all of them are good beginner species. So I think you need to sit down and talk with your mom once you move, see how much space she will allow you to have. Then ask yourself is she willing to care for your reptile while youre at school. Or do you save your money and invest in a misting system. If you go on vacations will you have someone to care for them (obviously rhacs are easier to find pet sitters for since they can go bug free)? I think you need to take a step back and really think things over with your mom.

Yes that is very good point, thank you! I have no limit, lol. But when it comes to chameleons my mom does not care because she fell in love with one at a reptile expo we went to. But I am going to talk to her.

Cole

**Tauni** · 06-01-2012, 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by StephenS

I remember you posting about having one or more Rhac. Sarasinorum in your collection... If this is a true statement then you should know if Rhacs are a genus that you enjoy caring for.

And if you do enjoy Rhacodactylus, I would say try a Garg or a Chahoua next.

I agree with this. Try a garg next, they are good next step from cresteds. I understand that you feel that you are being attacked here, but everyone has an opinion and they are all just in their voices. You are young and you are still depending on mother for just about everything. Don't get something that is huge, or hard to care for. What if you go off to college and mom has to take care of the animals while you dorm? It isn't fair to her to get an animal that she isn't 100% comfortable with and can take care of. It is because of this that I would stay away from Leachie and Chams. I would also suggest not going with chahoua for you because they are expensive. Go with a garg, they are an awesome animal that, like cresteds, can be handled and are easy to care for.

**Extremecrestie** · 06-01-2012, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by sericinda

I honestly get annoyed at these questions because it's not like you are shopping for brand name shoes or something. The question comes across as "which is cooler Nike or....whatever???". None of us can tell you what YOU will like better. If you have researched, you will know their care, so it's not like we can tell you anything regarding that other than to say, avoid is one because....which is what I did with the Cham and you got defensive. Soooooo.....what are you looking for?

We can't tell you which you will enjoy more as we don't know what you are looking for. Chams and rhacs are worlds and worlds apart in terms of care. And no, leachies and chewies are not cheaper when you factor in supplies....I just spent $350 on bulbs, cage, misting system and drainage for my new Chams.

Btw, yes, I based my first reply off things you said about your age, lifestyle and whatnot from chat.

Research and purchase what YOU want and what fits your knowledge, and lifestyle.

Personally I adore my leachies. I hope they don't grow up to be super aggressive. Not sure how that helps you, but it answers your question.

That does help me about the leachies. And I'm sorry I didn't mean to be defensive and stuff I was just wondering how you knew that...sorry.

Thanks,
Cole

**Extremecrestie** · 06-01-2012, 02:05 PM

And I don't think I will get a Cham for it's sake. And sericinda has a great point and I probably won't have the proper amount of time to take proper care.

**Extremecrestie** · 06-01-2012, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by Tauni

I agree with this. Try a garg next, they are good next step from cresteds. I understand that you feel that you are being attacked here, but everyone has an opinion and they are all just in their voices. You are young and you are still depending on mother for just about everything. Don't get something that is huge, or hard to care for. What if you go off to college and mom has to take care of the animals while you dorm? It isn't fair to her to get an animal that she isn't 100% comfortable with and can take care of. It is because of this that I would stay away from Leachie and Chams. I would also suggest not going with chahoua for you because they are expensive. Go with a garg,
they are an awesome animal that, like cresteds, can be handled and are easy to care for.

I don't feel like I'm being attacked at all. The thing about gargs is I'm not really interested in them or like how they look...no offense. I mean their cool but not my favorite. I am very independent with my animals.

Thanks though,
Cole

**Extremecrestie** · 06-01-2012, 02:17 PM

I am going to college for herpetology and business with my hockey scholarship.

**Brian(:** · 06-01-2012, 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by sericinda

I honestly get annoyed at these questions because it's not like you are shopping for brand name shoes or something. The question comes across as "which is cooler Nike or....whatever???". None of us can tell you what YOU will like better. If you have researched, you will know their care, so it's not like we can tell you anything regarding that other than to say, avoid is one because....which is what I did with the Cham and you got defensive. Soooooo.....what are you looking for?

I personally think that threads like these are a good thing, rather than him go out and impulse buy. It's nice to hear what others have had experiences with certain animals. He wasn't asking you to tell him what he likes, he was asking us to tell him what WE like. Nothing else.

Now to answer your question OP, I really like Chams because they are diurnal, and are visually striking. There is however a darn-good amount of work that comes along with it. On the other hand, I love the ease of care with my Leachie but never get to see him. :/