87-88 degrees

[FAIL]

Is That what the max of my 4-4.5 month old panthers basking spot should be? i keep double checking and everywhere i check is different-just being safe.

 

[sandrachameleon]

I'd go a few degrees lower myself

 

[jannb]

Yes, lower. Even an adult should only be 85. Your little guys what 4 1/2 months? so probably 83.

 

[FAIL]

that's so not even warm at all. but it works.

 

[toddmkeller]

that's so not even warm at all. but it works.

87-88 is just fine. Make sure he has cooler areas that are 70-75 degrees to retreat to. The temps in Madagascar today were over 85 deg fahrenheit and its the spring there currently. I don't know where people get the idea that 85 deg is an acceptable basking temp for an adult panther. When you cham gets to be an adult 95-100 deg surface temp is fine for basking during the summer, and then during the winter 85 would be acceptable. I simulate nature by providing more food, heat, and water during the summers and then during the winter everything gets cut back (including photoperiods) to simulate season. I feel this is an important part of having a healthy chameleon for years to come.

See ya,

Todd

 

[jannb]

I've read on here by experienced panther keepers and breeders that panthers should not go higher than 85. See post #12.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/odd-color-change-sunken-29402/

I have allot of respect for this keeper and would believe her advice to be true. My daughter also keeps panthers and keeps the adults at about 85. I also wish I could find Eric's post from a while back about how you can extent the life of your cham by keeping it a little cooler.

 

[Pure]

I believe the recommended temp often given is given with a newb state of knowledge in mind. The thing is, Maddy often has temps above 90. I've seen more than one report of temps being in the high 90s. But to be able to do this and successfully do this one has to take into account the amount of rain fall Maddy has and try to duplicate that in the enclosure and sorry to say misting for 30 seconds 2 times a day isn't no where near the daily rain fall.

I'm just speculating as I am still very new to even researching panthers, but it makes perfect sense if you think about it.

 

[sandrachameleon]

There's a difference between optimum temps and the range of temps possible in their natural environment, imho. I like mine to live as long as possible, so I prefer to keep the temps moderated and avoid the extreme tolerances.

What I consider the best range for adult male panthers is
day basking spot up to 90F/32C max
day ambient range 70-80F /21 -26C
night to a low of 65F/18C

I treat females slightly differently, with a lower basking temp.
I treat young ones as if they are delicate, with a very moderate temp range, day basking 80F-84F/28C and night low of 68F/20C

Veiled/Chamaeleo males I'd go a little higher /lower:
day basking spot 96.5F/36C
day ambient range 70-80F/21 -26C
night to a low of 60F/15.5C