How Much Does a Chameleon Cost? (2023 Price Guide)

Last Updated on November 16, 2023 by Fumipets

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Although chameleons are fascinating creatures, not all owners would find them to be the ideal pets. They are prone to stress, and there are also financial considerations. Depending on the type, age, and place of purchase, chameleons may cost anywhere from $30 to $300 at first. But this just tells a tiny part of the narrative.

A tank, lights, warmth, plants, a thermometer, a timer, and even a container for the live food must all be purchased in addition to the chameleon. Ongoing expenses include those for food, supplements, electricity, replacement plants, and any medical expenses your chameleon accrues over the course of its lifetime.

Chameleon cost may be $50, but over the course of its life, you may wind up spending 50 times that much.

Bringing Home a New Chameleon: One-Time Costs

You must also think about other upfront costs in addition to the chameleon’s price. It’s not even likely to be the largest initial expense. You will need to spend money on a complete setup, which includes the tank as well as elements like lighting, heating, and decorating, unless you have previously had a chameleon or a related type of lizard.

Chameleon Costs

Additionally, you’ll want a starter supply of food and vitamins to make sure your pet has the healthiest start possible. This small lizard may cost anywhere from nothing to hundreds of dollars, depending on where you get it.

Free

Find out as much information as you can if you know someone who is getting rid of a chameleon or if you have discovered one that needs a home and want to offer it one. You could be getting a fantastic bargain if the previous owner is getting rid of it since they don’t have the time to maintain it. You may not have to pay for the lizard, but you are making a significant commitment if they are rehoming it because they have discovered it is sick and will need continuing care.

Adoption

$30-$100

Although adoption prices vary, they often range from $30 to $100, with $50 being the average cost. However, unless you can locate a specialized lizard and reptile adoption organization, it is difficult to discover chameleons that have been placed up for adoption. Whether so, you should find out if the animal comes with a cage and any other necessary equipment since this will help keep the initial expenditures low.

Breeder

$30-$300

Although purchasing a chameleon from a breeder usually has the biggest price tag, you have access to a variety of breeds and may choose a male or female. In order to have a better sense of what your own future family member would be like, you could also be able to meet its parents. Although there are many variables, you may anticipate paying $30 to $300 for a chameleon.

Breed Costs

The specific breed you choose is another aspect that affects the price you spend for a chameleon. There are many of different breeds, however the Veiled Chameleon, Panther Chameleon, and Jackson Chameleon are the three most popular varieties that are produced in captivity and are regarded as suitable pets for both novice and expert owners. Following are some price ranges for these various breeds:

The Veiled Chameleon is the most common breed of chameleon, with an usual price range of $30 to $100. They are mostly captive-bred, although even this breed—which is regarded as the finest for beginners—can get stressed if handled excessively or often. Compared to wild specimens, captive-bred chameleons are often happier, healthier, and less prone to stress.

Panther Chameleons often cost between $100 and $300. Because they were probably reared in captivity, they should be healthier and simpler to care for. You won’t have to chase them about their cage or your room since they are usually pretty calm. Additionally, they need less maintenance than other lizard species.

Jackson Chameleons, which often cost $50 to $150, have an adult size of 10 inches, a life expectancy of around 5 years for females and 10 years for males, and are another well-liked pet Chameleon breed. They are somewhat more expensive than the Veiled, but they make wonderful pets for novice lizard keepers.

Supplies

$325–$800

Make sure you have a good setup before purchasing your Chameleon. A tank, lights, heating, watering, and enough plants and vines are included in this so that your tiny lizard has a place to hang out. A thermometer, a digital timer, a starter supply of food, even a container to store food in, are all things you’ll need. Although you may start with a more modest setup and expand to it over time, or you can seek for used choices to save a little money, supplies can cost up to $800.

List of Chameleon Care Supplies and Cost

Enclosure	$50-$300
Lighting	$100-$150
Watering	$30-$130
Plants	$100-$150
Food	$10-$25
Live Food Enclosure	$10-$20
Thermometer	$10-$30
Digital Timer	$15-$25

Annual Expenses

$750-$1,500 per year

There are recurring expenditures in addition to the upfront costs. While the majority of owners would include things like food and supplements, you need also keep in mind that prices for things like plants, power, and even water need to be included in your budget.

Health Care

$250-$400 per year

Costs associated with medical treatment and veterinary care are unpredictably high. Some years you may not even need to take your chameleon to the vet, while other years you could need to make many quick excursions. You shouldn’t have to spend more than this budget, which covers the cost of the prescription as well as the visits to the vet.

Check-Ups

$30-$75 per year

To reduce these expenses, look for discounts and package subscriptions, but be prepared to spend up to $75 for a check-up appointment. Depending on whatever vet you choose, the real cost will vary. Specialist veterinarians might charge extra since they possess special expertise.

Treatments for Parasites

$20-$150 per year

While a visual check may assist detect exterior pests, fecal floats and fecal tests are often used to screen for internal parasites. The cost of the test and the treatment taken together might reach $150. Treatments vary depending on the presence and kind of the parasite.

Emergencies

$200-$300

Emergencies might range from abrasive injury from sharp objects to eye infections. Naturally, the cost of an emergency will vary depending on the actual situation and the severity of it, but you may anticipate spending up to $300 for a single visit or a brief series of appointments to address an emergency.

Insurance

$100-$150

Pet insurance is one of the greatest methods to reduce veterinarian expenses, and more insurance providers are now providing coverage for lizards and other reptiles as a result of these animals’ rising popularity. The amount you pay will directly depend on the level of coverage you choose, but you should budget around $10 per month for this practical insurance.

Food

$150–$200 per year

The primary food that your chameleon will consume is crickets, which you cannot maintain for very long before they perish or become too big for your chameleon to consume. For just $3, you can get a tub of 250 crickets, which will last you for 10 days. Costs for a year’s supply range from $100 to $150. As an alternative, you may establish a roach colony that would be completely free and self-sufficient. The annual cost of supplements ranges from $30 to $50.

Environment Maintenance

$300–$500 per year

As a source of heat as well as light, your chameleon need enough illumination. He also requires healthy living plants, which provide him a place to relax and hide when he’s under pressure. Last but not least, you’ll have to pay for power to keep the tank and other machinery functioning as needed. You may reduce expenses by shopping around for discounts on bulb packs, plants, and vines, but maintenance will still cost you around $300 a year.

Halogen Bulbs	$100/year
Plants and Vines	$80/year
Electricity	$200/year

Total Annual Cost of Owning a Chameleon

$750-$1,500 per year

Owning a chameleon will set you back around $750 per year and a maximum of $1,500 per year. Whether your chameleon becomes unwell, the cost of your vet’s services, and whether you choose to get pet insurance for your reptile will all affect how much you really have to spend.

On items like lights and power, you shouldn’t skimp. Even leaving the lights on an hour longer than required each day might cause your child tension, which can lead to illness. However, there are several methods to save money.

Owning a Chameleon On a Budget

When it comes to keeping a chameleon, there are a number of methods to save money. To begin, consider adopting a chameleon. You could even come across a kit that comes with a cage and some of the other necessary tools. Search for a used cage as an alternative, but make sure it is in excellent or decent shape or that any repairs would be inexpensive.

If you can purchase anything in bulk, it will save you money. Some supply shops could provide a subscription-style service for food and supplements. Bulk options for products like vitamins and light bulbs exist. They should last for at least a few months to a year, and you may save $100 or more annually. You will always need them.

In the long term, pet insurance may help you save a ton of cash. Although even a routine veterinarian visit might cost upwards of $100, it only costs around $10 every month.

Conclusion

A chameleon is a fantastic entry point into the world of reptile pet ownership, but in addition to the lizard’s initial purchase price, which may vary from $30 to as much as $300, you also need to take additional setup and maintenance expenditures into account.

For the cage, lights, and enough food and vitamins to survive the first 10 days or so, budget $500 for the basic equipment. From there, you may anticipate yearly expenses of roughly $100 per month or $1,200 per year.

This covers unusual expenses including veterinarian emergency bills, food and supplement prices, and any additional expenses. Bulk purchases of goods like light bulbs and the purchase of chameleon insurance to cover recurring veterinarian expenses might also result in financial savings.

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