There are many different places to get your chameleon. Pet shops, breeders, reptile expo's, imported or from a friend.

 

Usually the one place you should avoid purchasing a chameleon is from a pet shop. Most pet shops (large or small) are littered with ignorance. This is not to say all shops are like this, I give full credit to those who house their animals properly and perform the necessary research however be extremely careful. Check to see if they are housed in proper caging. A large glass tank is alright for a few (around 5) babies, however adults should be in a screened enclosure. Ask some questions and see if their answer match up to the research you have made. If they do not, it may be best to shop for the animal elsewhere.

 

If at all possible try not to get a wild caught chameleon. They often carry heavy parasite loads, diseases and are usually very stressed and most quickly perish under the hands of most keepers. They are a different ball field due to the fact that you should deparasitise them, and properly hydrate and acclimatise them immediately when you recieve them. If there is a species you must have and is only available wild caught, look for what is known as Long Term Captive or Captive Hatched. 

 

The best choice is always captive bred. They are much more used to humans and for the most part, lack the diseases and parasites unless kept in poor conditions. Some parasites have been known to pass through the placenta up to one or two generations, however the chances are very few of this happening. Known breeders are one of the best sources for getting a chameleon. They may be considerably more money but it is well worth it. They are usually properly housed and cared for and this will definitely lengthen the life of your animal.

 

Reptile expo's are great for acquiring chameleons. They are also a good place to find rare captive bred chameleons. At these expo's you have a chance to meet and talk with the breeder face to face and ask any questions that still maybe lingering in your head. They also seem to have amazing prices at these shows. Please be sure to have their environment setup before you go to purchase your chameleon. Keep an eye out and be sure to look out for certain vendors. Many vendors still often mislabel animals, it is always best to know what you are wanting and have researched it, before acquiring it so no such mishaps occur.

 

Imported chameleons should be left to the more experienced keepers due to the fact that they have a few curve balls that even some of the most experienced may have difficulty hitting. Most wild caught animals come stock with parasites. Many keepers deworm their animal and take them to the vet for an overall exam. They are also mch more skittish and very unpredictable. Acclimatising is key to keeping them.

 

The last choice is to acquire your chameleon from a friend. Please also be super careful. Make sure your friend has kept the parents in the proper setup.

 

*Make sure to quarantine all new animals. If you have any herps already, any newly acquired reptiles or amphibians should be quarantined for at least a month before even going near any of the other animals. This may mean a temporary cage setup in a different room for a month. Also be sure to wash your hands before handling any other reptile or amphibian, or before working in their cage, handling their food etc. You do not want to spread anything unwanted. Entire collections have been known to die off due to the spread of disease from a single animal. Healthy looking or not, err on the side of caution.*