Panther Chameleon, The Best Pet Lizard? 

I love the attitude of there are no bad reptiles there are just reptiles that may be good or bad for YOU depending on who you are and your knowledge, skills, resources, and values.

You've got to love an animal that hates interacting with other members of its species yet has evolved an incredibly complex colour changing mechanism that doesn't camouflage them just to communicate with other members of its species!

My friend had one in college for several years. She loved it so much and ive never seen anyone dedicate themselves an animal more. She even got it blood work at the ver. We were only allowed to have fish as pets, but her chameleon lived on a fake ficus tree in her dorm. No cage. Resident assistance NEVER noticed it. Not once.

So, in short, are Panther Chameleons possibly the best pet lizard? The answer is, unfortunately, no.

I'm an owner of a Masoala panther chameleon and I have to say, no amount of research can prepare you for how difficult they can be to look after. I got the best set up money can buy, do everything right by how they need gutloaded insects, dusting etc etc but still my chameleon got sick and it's taken weeks to just show a small amount of improvement. If you decide to get a chameleon make sure you have an excellent local reptile vet before you purchase one and do as much research as you possibly can. They are very rewarding animals but you need a never ending money pit.

Reptile keeper here! I have worked with several chameleons but I wanted to share the story of my panther Fauna. Having quite a few reptiles, so I have to get a lot of feeders. The employees at petstores know who I am at this point. My friend who is a manger at a location pulled me aside and told be about this cham in another town who was in pretty horrible shape. I was she had problems with her tongue and had mbd. I was also told she was 5 months old and had two different homes, including the petstore. Neither of these homes temporary or not cared for her well. After a couple of days I drove two hours to this location. I was unsure what to expect but what you are thinking she is like is an understatement. She was the size of a two month, had a noticeable kink in her tail and her front and back arms were completely misformed and almost u-shaped. You could see bone and it was quite obvious that she had multiple fractures before. Her ribs were visible and her mouth is fused open, her tongue could barely fit in her mouth so every so often it would fall out of her mouth. I was tearing up as I saw such awful care over this poor animal. I was also furious when they td me about her husbandry and care. From what they told me she lived in a 5 gallon aquarium as it fit her size and she ate twice a week. They used no supplements or special lighting because "she wasn't going to last longer anyway" I bought her for half price and took her to my local vet right after. She was on 4 antibiotics and had to get fluids that day. Now over a year later the chameleon that "wasn't going to live long" is able to hunt and climb on her own. She is a perfect weight and is the queen of her own castle. The care she had for a good portion of her juvenile years WAS NOT OKAY. Chameleons are very docile animals, but they are also absolutely incredible creatures. I wanted to share Fauna's story to one, sway you away from chams, don't get a chameleon unless you are an expert and have done your research. Because a chameleon's health goes downhill fast if you don't know what you're doing. Two, I wanted to share what love and correct care can do for an animal. Reptiles are beautiful and incredible animals, every day with my little zoo is a beautiful one, through rehabilitation, injections and all. Every living creature holds a place in my heart. I am truly lucky to have my reptiles and my life, as well as to have such a wonderful resource like Clint. I have been watching this channel for over two years now! Thank you Clint for being a ray of positivity ❤️ If you want to see pictures of my little zoo or more stories about my other rescues follow me on Instagram, only if you would like ! @Wilted_Flowerchild

Great video. My veiled chameleon, Vladimir, lived free in my apartment. I set up a very large area with him in my bay window with grape vines, ficus trees, pothos vines and so on. I would mist it all the time, and leave mesh with ice cubes for him to see water dripping. He only left that area once, he went to my computer desk and while he hated me (lol) and wouldn't take my hand, he accepted the handle of my swiffer and was safely transported the 10 feet he traveled back to his area and he never left there again. He only liked me when he saw his purple feed cup coming, or if I was eating tomatoes, which he loved. He was such an ass but he was so fun! Forever grumpy

We lost ours to a tumour a few months ago, he had surgery but never recovered from it, he was an amazing animal with a huge personality, probably the best pet I've ever kept, RIP Bob 😔

Well hi there! Today we are at the Wasatch Reptile Expo in Salt Lake City Utah. If you get a chance to stop by, we hope to see you real soon!

I have had four chameleons. They're quite a bit of work because of the lightning, misting, and feeding. They do eat a lot. But they're great because they can just sit on your shoulder and you can forget about them. They tend to be cleaner than a lot of other reptiles, because they don't crawl around at the bottom of the cage. Chameleons are generally among the best lizards when it comes to capturing the attention of children. They tongues, eyes, skin, hands, etc. give them a lot of perks.

So my first reptile was a panther chameleon named Darwin. Admittedly I rushed into it and let me tell you NOTHING prepares you for all the work these little guys require. I remember the first time I had to leave home and have someone else care for him and I just worried sick about all the feedings and misting. It’s kinda like being thrown in the deep end of reptile rearing. Darwin lived to the age of 5 and honestly rearing him was one of the greatest experiences of my life. That being said I definitely recommend sticking to beardies/leopard geckos for your first reptile. Though panther chameleons can be done as a newbie it takes so much work and they really aren’t a lizard that’ll tolerate a learning curve

Still probably a better lizard than the green iguana...

Thank you for discussing this. Chameleons are so majestic. 😊

Their crazy hands, or, according to zefrank1, "cool little alien karate-chop hands"

hi clint. i know this video isn’t super recent, and i almost never comment on things. but i just wanted to tell you how much i appreciate people like you putting accurate information about chameleons out there. i’ve been keeping reptiles and amphibians since i was ten years old, focusing mostly on frogs until recently (now i’m a bit obsessed with new caledonian geckos). in the 18 years i’ve been doing this, i never wanted a chameleon, because along the way, i learned about them - i learned that they are mean, high-maintenance, and short-lived. and then, less than two months ago, a friend texted me out of the blue asking if i could take in someone’s unwanted chameleon. when i saw the conditions he was being kept in, i was horrified and i did a lot of research before agreeing to take him in. and i’m so glad i did. he’s changed every previous opinion and perception i had about chameleons. he’s not a panther like you show here (he is a 3-year-old veiled), but he’s amazing all the same. in the short time i’ve had him, he’s taught me a lot, and i think the most important thing is that this is one of those animals a person needs to be able to fully commit to, every single day of its life, to give it the life it deserves. but if you can do that, it’s the most rewarding animal you’ll ever have. i’ve been working with mine and establishing trust with him and it’s the single most rewarding thing i’ve done in all the years i’ve kept exotics. i wish everyone could reasonably provide for these animals because i think everyone who’s considering it should experience proper ownership of one just as something to cross off the bucket list. they are spectacular beyond words. i can’t describe how amazing it is to share my home with such a gorgeous living dinosaur.

Clint, love the fact that you are so honest. These guys are not easy and having had them for 15 years I have told many people some of the same things you did here. That they are difficult and don't live long. Actually had one Panther from the wild that lived for 3 years and he was sick when we got him. He was a pet shop rescue, had toenail trauma and a respiratory infection. $400 dollars later we had a chameleon with 1 less toe and a bag full of meds. Would I change my decision that day, no Spin had the best life he could have had considering how he started out here in the US. We have had Veiled, 4 horned, Jackson and Panthers. Most of our Panthers were Ambanja like you have there today. They have the greatest personality. Veiled are cool too. My Louie lasted 5 years. He was a pistol. When the Budweiser lizards came out, we got the Tshirts. Louie thought my husband was carrying a lizard around. Finally he had to take that shirt off because Louie wanted to attack that lizard. I do miss them and one day maybe I will have another. Thanks again for the honesty in this upload. 🐊 ✌🏻❤🐊

I’ve been interested in getting a Panther Chameleon and I have seen a ton of videos to do my research and learn the care of chameleons. This is the best video I’ve seen by far. It’s the most informative and you can just tell that you know what he’s talking about!!!

i love them because they look so pissed off at everything all the time like "wtf am I doing here."

My veiled Chameleon just passed away a week ago and he was an amazing animal. A real pleasure but definitely not a good pet for most people

My panther chameleon recently passed. I loved the little guy but I'd definitely agree that they are pretty high maintenance pets. Not something I'd recommend for a novice reptile owner. Great information in this video!

Thank you, Clint, for a frank assessment of a fantastic, but challenging species! My daughter would love a panther chameleon someday, but as you do eloquently put it, we will need to ‘have our ducks in a row’ first. 🦆 🦆 🦆 🦆 🦆

Back when I was like 12 i told my dad I wanted a lizard. I thought I was getting a bearded dragon instead he got me one of these. I named it samurai jack and I tried so hard to take care of it but it died. I still feel bad about it to this day because I loved reptiles (still do) and I felt like I failed him. Turns out it’s one of the hardest animals to care for... thanks dad

In conclusion: does the benefit outweigh the cost? No, it doesn't. Choose another animal. I found this video very interesting, not in the sense that the chameleon requires very specialised care but more you did not recommend it but managed to remain unbiased as usual. I have watched so many RU-vidrs bag out (for lack of a better term) animals just because. Thank you for the content.

Why do chameleons have such a sophisticated system of communicating with one another when they are solitary animals?

Thank you for being honest about what it takes to care for a panther chameleon and emphasizing the difficulty and knowledge that's necessary to take care of them properly :)

I am a Chameleon mom of 8 years! My oldest Chameleon passed away at 7 years old and I've had him since he was 3 months old. My current chameleons are 5 and 1. They are an absolutely wonderful pet to have but you have to be knowledgeable. You have to be diligent. If you aren't serious about their care you should not get one. Thank you Clint for your wise words and knowledge :) more people should do research so they know what they're getting themselves into.

Man, I haven't watched one of your videos in a while, and I can't believe how much you've grown in the past several months! Good job, you guys! I'm so happy to see such positive attitude towards reptiles getting more popular.

Thanks for covering the crash and burn issues. Every one I have ever known has just been dead one morning, even for the most careful keepers. I've never tried to keep one myself, and this is a big part of why. They can seem fine one day and just drop the next. :( Heart breakers.

Great episode. Speaking of more difficult pets, I would love to see an episode on blood pythons!

I appreciate the education you offer through your videos. You are helping future pet-owners make an informed choice before they buy a pet and current pet-owners take care of their animals better. You're helping both people and the reptiles! Thank you

Thanks for putting those unique words on the bottom. Helps understand what you're talking about more clearly.

I absolutely love your videos. The honest and thorough information is so great. Your calmness and clarity is lovely and I just really appreciate you giving your time, as well as the rest of the team. Hope your day is awesome. God bless you!

My cousins chameleon was found just walking around a back yard. REALLY good timing I’m glad it was scooped up and now thriving in the proper environment. And shame on the person who released it in the first place.

This exact type of quick rundown of important things to know about a species before owning is exactly the kind of content I was looking for. Thanks so much for all of these vids!

i just love clint so much. he’s so nice with the animals and is just a great owner for all animals. much love ❤️

I really love the enthusiasm. I can tell how much you enjoy chameleons

I'm trying to do chameleon hands. And failing. Either I need more practice or we now have further proof of Clint actually being a lizard.

I love their silly mitten hands

The close ups make clint's videos the best. They're amazing

They are so colorful. Hope the false chameleon video is coming soon, saving the best for last and making those of us who got hooked on them when you first showed them are waiting in anticipation.

this is a very well organized and informative channel, keep it up Clint

*sees thumbnail* Live long and prosper to you too, Clint! .....Oh wait. Wrong context!

It seems like each species specific video leads to one or two of that type being donated to our rescue within a few hours. Can I get a heads up before a T-Rex video? For enclosure building purposes. Awesome video as always. Thank you.

As someone who came into the reptile world via chameleons, it's pretty disgusting that the community thinks providing a naturalistic environment and husbandry is "very specialized care" and "not for a beginner". It should be taken for granted for any animal you own. Apparently you can keep a snake alive with a shoebox and a mouse every week, that doesn't mean you SHOULD

Just found this and you got a smile that lights up a room lord heavens

I really don’t know much about chameleons but his attitude his easy explanations made me stay such a great video!

I love how you do the layout of the video.

I love all of your videos! Always informative but yet entertaining

I just wanna say what you do is amazing, I love watching your videos, I even sometimes watch them more than once😅, also I recently bought myself a bearded dragon and your video on them was a big factor if it would be the right pet for me so thank you

Thank you for the videos you do. My wife really wants a Chameleon and this was very informative. Love the CTR ring my the way. Keep up the good work that you do Brother Laidlaw. Thank you again

I'm just super stoked bout this and want to tell the world really! Recently one of the professors at my university asked me to join his research on Dekay's Brown Snakes! I'm so incredibly happy to have an opportunity to do what I love so early! Also desert iguana video when!

My wife has an 8 year-old panther chameleon, which has to be close to a world record. She treats him with such TLC. Temperature, lighting, food, supplements, misting, everything. He’s old and infirm now. She needs to hand feed him now with superworms. But he seems happy and not in any distress

I live right next to animal ark and it’s one of my favorite pet stores. Very friendly staff that are knowledgeable about all the animal they carry. Definitely recommend checking them out.

I love your channel i was thinking about getting a panther chameleon but now i dont know your vids have helped me so much keep up the good work

Very helpful. Thank you for these videos.

I love the bloopers. You guys are hilarious.

I like when I'm educated out of wanting an animal. As someone considering dipping his toes to scaly creatures with limbs I appreciate all the info compacted.

Just purchased my screen cage this week!! Awesome video!! thank you

4:15 omg I flippin love their eyes

Been here since the start, still a great channel

Aaaaaaaahhhhh!!!!! That was great Clint and Company :)) Thanks for doing this vid on the awesome panther chameleon. I agree with your scoring and reasoning. I rescued a baby veiled from a neglectful pet store last year. Ive kept pets always, and several reptiles, and I did a ton of research. It was a horrid experience for all. She had such bad health, I spent hundreds of dollars, and so so so much time and energy...she had a sad miserable life for 9 months. Handling her to medicate her and feed her by syringe was so stressful to her, and it made her absolutely hate me. Chams are a difficult pet fer sure. I cringe whenever I see one sold at a pet store or expo. All that said, I still plan to purchase a healthy panther from a breeder in two years. I have all equipment/supplies needed already - I am so excited! Thanks again for an honest video :))

I love how truthful you are on this about chameleons. I currently have veiled chameleons witch are the grumpiest chameleons. I wouldn’t ever recommend a chameleon for a pet to anyone being one a chameleon is not a pet it’s a hobby. You never stop working on your husbandry.

Rapunzel nailed on that one.

They are so adorable

It was great to meet all of you and of course big daddy lol. Keep up the great work guys!

I love the way they move hehe, either slow motion or stomping around all silly

I'd seriously consider getting one but man they are impossible to get where I live. Bummer. They are fascinating.

Ive had several types of Chameleon. My Pardalis would actively come to me from his tree to get on my hand and would sit on my shoulder for hours if I let him. He only drank from a spray bottle and I hand fed him always. Such a sweet lizard. They have wonderful personalities.

I had a panther chameleon growing up. He got like almost 2 feet long. A little feisty at times but overall a gorgeous and cool animal!

I had 3 veiled chamleons(not all at the same time) They were pretty great pets but required extra work, they were quite aggressive sometimes but were full of personality. Still my favorite pet ive ever had. We had our female chameleon for almost 6 years.

I LOVE your CTR ring 💜

Great video on the Panther Chameleon! I had a Veiled Chameleon years ago and would not recommend as a pet. They are commonly sold in the pet trade and priced low, but very aggressive. I did have a big male, which is probably why it was aggressive and did not like being handled as an adult.

love the CTR ring!

Love the CTR ring 😊

This is probably my favorite reptile of all your videos I've seen so far. I LOVE chameleons but I doubt I could care for one.

I have been thinking about getting a chameleon thank you for covering them this video.

I have waited for this day. Thanks to you Clint and the team! This is definitely going to help me decide whether I should get a chameleon or not.

Glad I watched this video I love chameleons but they are out side my comfort zone for care

I know that you kinda touched on it a little bit in the video, but could you possibly do a full video on a veiled chameleon?

I’ll be getting a panther chameleon soon! I’ve kept a few reptiles before and I’m excited to get one.

Great video. I was thinking about buying one and i've always wanted a chameleon.

I got a veiled chameleon and love it. Want to get more chameleons in the future

I hope that once I get a job this summer, I can start saving for one of these guys.

Yes finally a panther chameleon review video! Thanks Clint great video btw!

I just got a crested gecko it’s so cool keep up the great work

He is beautiful! I had a veiled Chameleon and now have a Jackson Chameleon, like you said when taking him out of the tank he is very cranky and will keep his mouth open. He’s never bites though and once he’s out he’s very calm. He really likes my curtains and he curtain rail, no matter what he always makes his way there. He’s not full grown yet but he is a decent size and he has his beautiful 3 big horns. Panther Chameleon’s are definitely on my list of other Chameleons that I want to own on the future.

Love your videos

Clint do more videos on Chameleons!!! So many different species and locales to choose from! Even if it's just a research video

At 0:25 it looked like he was matching your tie!

Cool video! Can the next one be about the Giant day gecko/any species of leaf gecko/flying gecko? (I really like geckos)

I love you videos, and i would love to see you do one for the frilled neck lizard.

Loved this video! I have 2 Male panther chameleons. 1 adult Nosy Be named Mad Eye Moody and a sub adult blurple line Ambanja who has yet to be named. I did notice the uvb pictured in the video was a T8 setup, though it can work, most chameleon keepers have moved on to T5HO fixtures for better UVB output.

Great video

There's nothing like having a chameleon walk on you. Such a cool feeling.

My brother has over a dozen of reptiles, this is my favorite. He's the chillest and comes at the door of its enclosure asking to come out every time someone is in the room. Open the door, give him your hand and he's just climb as long as you'll let him go. Once you're done, and put your hand in front of a branch so he can get back in his enclosure, he turns around and to avoid going back in. Never seen any sort of aggressive behaviour. My brother got lucky, he's the sweetest!

I'd love to see one on Veiled Chameleons. Kids I work with keep talking about wanting to get Chameleons they see at petco ,I'd love to show them a care video that shows them how much responsibility that would actually be for them.

Panther chameleons are the best, i have a big blue panther, i open his cage and he just walks onto my hand and loves being out exploring. He even has a branch on the breakfast bar so he can hang out why i eat! He has never bitten me or puffed up. My veiled cham is a different matter, he is a grump and protests even when he gets to climb on the climbing wall i built. But I love them both :-)

I have a 4 mth old Male Nosy Mitsio Panther Chameleon and he's the sweetest boy ever .He loves coming out and just hanging out on me .His previous owner who raised him taught him to drink with a water Dropper . His name is Atticus

Cool video. I like your asthetic and delivery. I would recommend a lavalier or desktop microphone. And chameleons rock.

I've done quite a few Panther Chameleon's videos with our boy Kripke👍 They're awesome but definitely not a beginners pet.