Best starter Chameleon Kits for Beginners in [year]- Complete Guide

If you are planning to get yourself your first ever chameleon pet, then you might be wondering what you will need to purchase and gain knowledge on how your new friend will survive. Well, this article is meant just for that, so you can have an idea about all that you need as a beginner to bring home your new pet with the best starter chameleon kits. In a list of safe exotic pets that one can own, Chameleons always land a top place for themselves. They are vibrant, interactive, and come with a calm demeanor, all that one can ask for in an exotic pet.

Just like other pets, they also have certain requirements and special care needs, which, when followed, will offer you the most vibrant and healthy pet chameleon. Therefore, before you get any pet for yourself, and especially any exotic pet, it is important to understand their care and environmental requirements so that you are well prepared to give your new pet a healthy and happy forever home. We understand that, as a beginner, it might sound overwhelming and a difficult task to do, but we are here to help you with that by providing you with a complete guide about the best starter chameleon kits, which will help you to set up a healthy and proper environment for your new chameleon.

Essential Components Of Chameleon Kits

Now that you have decided to get yourself a pet chameleon, here is a list of all the essential chameleon kits items to make it easier for you. It is important to understand that all these items are beginner-friendly friendly however, according to the size and age, you will have to modify some of the items to cater to the need of your reptile. Here are some of the basics or essential chameleon kits items that you need to have before you get your pet chameleon home-

• Screen Enclosure- At the top of the list is a screen enclosure or a cage, as you may call it. This is the basic requirement for your chameleon, as this is going to be the place that they recognize as home. Since it is going to be their home, you need to choose chameleon kits based on the size and type of enclosure that they offer. Chameleons need a particularly tall enclosure that is equally well ventilated, since ventilation is crucial for your pet. You can choose a screen enclosure that is big enough and provides enough opportunity for your chameleon to climb and find comfortable spots for themselves.
• UVB lighting- Another most important thing that you are supposed to get with the kit is UVB lighting. UVB lighting is crucial for your pet reptile since it is going to be the only (indirect though), source of Vitamin D3 for your pet chameleon, which is a must for calcium absorption. It is also crucial to prevent metabolic bone diseases.
• Drip system or Misting- A misting system or drip system is used as a source of hydration for your chameleon. Since chameleons are not the same as dogs or cats, they do not use a bowl to drink water from. Even in the wild, they do not use any enclosure to drink water from, and this is inherent in them. Therefore, a drip system is what helps them get hydrated as well as it keeps the environment humid enough for them.
• Basking Lamp- Yet another crucial chameleon kits item is a basking lamp. A basking lamp is necessary to provide the chameleon with enough heat and warmth to go basking. This heat is also important for them to digest the food and provide a gradient spot for baking.
• Thermometer and Hygrometers- The thermometers and hygrometers that you will get as a part of the kit are different from the thermometer that we use at home for ourselves and for other terrestrial animals. You will need this equipment not to check the temperature of your reptile pet, but to help maintain the right temperature and humidity for them to have a healthy and proper life without suffering.

• Plants and Branches- Another thing that you will require to set up the enclosure for your pet chameleon is plants and branches, etc. As we get a pet chameleon for ourselves, try to make it as similar to the wild as you can. Most of the chameleons that we get from the breeders are tiny and have not lived in the wild; however, as part of their natural habitat, it is crucial to provide them with all things necessary to make them feel as much as home and as comfortable as possible. You can add real plants if you think you can take care of them, or artificial ones as well, that will provide enough hiding space, climbing space, and space for other activities that are just natural to them.
• Feeding Accessories- Since we are at the stage of decorating the enclosure, let’s also add feeding accessories to it. You can choose a feeding cup or a platform inside which you can put insects for the chameleon to eat from.
• Supplements- Here comes the boss of all, the supplements. Supplements such as Calcium, Vitamin A, etc., are important for the proper growth and development of your reptile. Matter of fact, chameleons do suffer from Vitamin and nutrient deficiency and display signs of it too, which, if not treated, can lead to lifelong illness or even fatality. Therefore, along with everything else, it is important to get vitamin and mineral supplements as part of the chameleon kits that you will be opting for. You can read more about Chameleon supplements on our page.

Best Chameleon Kit Options for Beginners

There are quite a few chameleon kit options available in the market, and it might be a little difficult to select the right one for yourself. We will provide you list of the most famous and the most reviewed chameleon kits out there with their pros and cons so you can make the best decision. Depending on your budget and requirement you will need to make the decision to invest in one of these kits however, do not fret over any particular thing since you always will have the option to upgrade later. Here are the most common Chameleon kits out there-

1. Zoo Med ReptiBreeze Chameleon Kit– This one right here is the most common and the most purchased chameleon kit on the market. This the a beginner-friendly chameleon kit option and is also budget-friendly.
   • Pros- Includes a 16x16x30-inch enclosure, which is durable and allows for basic ventilation that makes it comfortable for the pet. The kit also includes UVB and heat bulbs, artificial foliage, calcium supplement, and a basic care guide.
   • Cons: The cage might not be big enough to encompass an adult panther or veiled chameleon. The kit also does not include a dripper or a hygrometer, so that will add to your expense later on.
2. Josh’s Frogs Veiled Chameleon Complete Kit– This chameleon kit is made keeping in mind the veiled chameleon breed that can grow anywhere from 14 to 24 inches. This kit is perfect for beginners who want to get all the things verified by professional chameleon care takers.
   • Pros- It includes all the things a good chameleon kit should, including a full sized cage, a thermometer, UVB lighting, basking fixture, live plants and basic chameleon supplements.
   • Cons: Not everyone might find the application very smooth; however, they do include instructions. It’s still better to familiarize yourself with DIY setups.
3. Exo Terra Chameleon Kit (Glass Terrarium)– Another one that makes its name into our chameleon kits list is the Exo Terra Chameleon Kit. Its a great setup although temporary since there are some pros and cons that follows.
   • Pros- It offers a glass terrarium or enclosure which is visually pleasing and has a front opening instead of the top opening. It has a built in lighting system which again is great and offers live plants as well.
   • Cons: It offers fewer ventilation options and therefore can increase humidity, which can lead to respiratory infections. Therefore, it is suitable as a temporary setup and isn’t appropriate for adult, veiled, or panther chameleons.

How To Choose the Right Kit Amongst Various Chameleon Kits

Since chameleons are such exotic pets and are one of the first preferences of people who want to get a pet reptile, the market has seen a high demand for products for chameleons. There are quite a few options of Chameleon kits available out there, but it is important to choose among them, what suits your demand is good enough for your new pet. Since most of these chameleon kits are made for beginners, they might either be for a temporary purpose or for long time but that is something that you will need to research before you buy them.

There are quite a few things that you need to keep in mind before you go on to invest in one of these chameleon kits. Number one being the enclosure that they offer. The enclosure should be at least 24 x 24 x 48 inches in size so that it can provide a comfortable space for an adult chameleon, and it should be made of a durable material since chameleons do a lot of climbing and hopping. The second most important thing is that it should offer a 5.0 UVB lamp and a source of heat that is a Basking Lamp, as proper lighting and heat are necessary for the proper growth and development of the chameleon.

Apart from this, some kits might not offer a thermometer or supplements, which are crucial, though you may need to purchase them separately. Most of the time, these chameleon kits are cheaper than the ones that offer them all. Lastly, before you invest in any kit, read the customer reviews and the brand reputation. Check if all the things that you consider important are a part of the kit, and then make the final decision.