New Panther Chameleon

Denbykins · Mar 28, 2009

Hi everyone,
Two days ago I brought home my first chameleon, he's a panther and I absolutely love him. I posted last week about seeing him when I went to look at a veiled and after doing some more research on Panthers I just couldn't resist his sweet, easygoing personality. I do have one question, when i had started setting up the enclosure a couple weeks ago I hadn't intended on the Chameleon I got being quite as small this guy is. I was told he is around five months and his body just about 2" long, with his tail almost 4" . The enclousure I have is 18x18x24, I know it's not that big but he seems so tiny in it. Will this size be okay? I'm trying cup feeding but there have been some escapes. He seems to be getting around okay, I've been trying to leave him alone. I guess I'm just worried that it might be to much room for him and wondering if I should switch to something smaller? I would post a pic but my camera battery is dead, but I'll try and get some. Any advice would be appreciated.

jannb · Mar 28, 2009

2 inches sounds really young. As long as he eats and drinks ok your cage should not be too large.

Denbykins · Mar 28, 2009

Thanks for the reply. He arrived at the Petstore at the beginning of December, I was told he was about half the size he is now. From what I could tell the Chameleons at the store were well taken care of. I was told he was a good eater(about 8-10 crickets a day) but that he just seemed to be growing slowly and it does appear that way. I saw him eat 1 cricket last night and I did see him drink a little today so I guess that is a good sign. I guess I'm just a little nervous as he is my first chameleon. Should I continue with cup feeding, he's looked in the cup but I can't really tell if he's eaten any out of it as I know that one or two escaped. Is it possible to feed him in a smaller cage? or would that be to stressful?

Thanks

jannb · Mar 28, 2009

I wouldn't feed him in a smaller cage. Just keep count of the number of crickets you give him. If any escape I would get them out of his cage.....they could eat on him when he's sleeping. Jann

Denbykins · Mar 28, 2009

Thanks JannB,
I'm going to try using a slightly bigger cup than I was using and hope that helps limit the number of escapes. It took me quite a while last night to hunt down the ones that had escaped, even then I still found myself getting up in the night and checking on him

jannb · Mar 28, 2009

I know how it is. I got my first guy a years and a half ago and my girl 7 months ago and I STILL worry about them all the time. Jann

sandrachameleon · Mar 28, 2009

Panthers can grow more slowly than veileds. Female panthers even more slowly than male panthers.
A larger feeding cup/bowl to keep the crickets contained is a good idea. Even two, if you think he's not eating enough due to not finding the food. You can also remove one or both of the crickets jumping legs.

Silkworms and butterworms dont go too far, so small ones of those might be something to consider as an addition to his diet.

warpdrive · Mar 28, 2009

Hi,

I too just got a baby panther.
my guy is 2" NTV, about 3 1/2" tail.
I know mine was hatched from the 17-24 of Jan.
today is the 3rd day I have him...shiped all the way from ali to NY, so he might still be a bit stressed, even though he dont show it.

while I have seen him drink 3 times, he still has not eaten.
I've tryed fruitflys the past 2 days, and just put in 4 house flys about an hour ago.

regardless, I don't think your cage is too big. he should grow out of it in about 5 months or so with proper care.
just add less crickets untill he starts eating them all, so you don't have to catch all the ones he doesn't get.

today I'm not taking any more photos of him, and basicly leaving him alone untill his last misting.
try to do the same, just leave him alone to get used to his new cage.
you are doing well and your cham should be fine.

Harry

Denbykins · Mar 28, 2009

I just went out and found a bird food dish at a pet store near my house. It's a little deeper that the cup I was using and also has a little perch on the front which is neat. I put 3 cricket in and so far no escapes. Warpdrive, i agree, he's probably a little stressed from the change and getting used to his new home. Lucky for him my camera battery is dead so i havn't been bothering him by taking pictures. I've just been leaving him alone, although it is hard

Thanks for all the advice I really appreciate it.

GooglezNvincent · Mar 28, 2009

Denbykins said:
Hi everyone,
Two days ago I brought home my first chameleon, he's a panther and I absolutely love him. I posted last week about seeing him when I went to look at a veiled and after doing some more research on Panthers I just couldn't resist his sweet, easygoing personality. I do have one question, when i had started setting up the enclosure a couple weeks ago I hadn't intended on the Chameleon I got being quite as small this guy is. I was told he is around five months and his body just about 2" long, with his tail almost 4" . The enclousure I have is 18x18x24, I know it's not that big but he seems so tiny in it. Will this size be okay? I'm trying cup feeding but there have been some escapes. He seems to be getting around okay, I've been trying to leave him alone. I guess I'm just worried that it might be to much room for him and wondering if I should switch to something smaller? I would post a pic but my camera battery is dead, but I'll try and get some. Any advice would be appreciated.

Feeder cup! it saves money cuz the crickets cant roam around and fall off the cage, or drown on the bottom. Plus u dont have to worry about your chm being chewed on atnight by them. Also if your cham learns he will stand by his cup when hes hunry, mine does

its really cute. throw him a couple extras and he munches on em right away.

New Panther Chameleon

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jannb

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Denbykins

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jannb

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Denbykins

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jannb

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