a noob in need

efrainz28

efrainz28

New Member
Hi everybody,
My name is Efrain and I live in California. I want to own an Ambilobe panther (the colors lol) and a Veiled chameleon (I love there head). I also want a Jackson because I like the horns but I’m not to sure. I want to purchase them at the reptile expo in Jan. I want to have there habitat ready for them with the correct temperature and humidity. I’m trying to make a check list of what I need for each one. I understand they have different needs. I been reading and I think 18 X 18 X 36 is the cage size I’m leaning toward. Can some one point me in the right direction?

A little bit about my background. I own a Mexican Black King Snake. I love my snake. (Jet black) I also own pair of bearded dragons. (Male and female). I breed silkworms, meal worms, super worm, crickets, Turkistan Roach (Blatta Lateralis) - Rusty Reds, and Dubia roaches (Blaptica dubia). As feeders to my beardes.
 
efrainz28 said:
Hi everybody,
My name is Efrain and I live in California. I want to own an Ambilobe panther (the colors lol) and a Veiled chameleon (I love there head). I also want a Jackson because I like the horns but I’m not to sure. I want to purchase them at the reptile expo in Jan. I want to have there habitat ready for them with the correct temperature and humidity. I’m trying to make a check list of what I need for each one. I understand they have different needs. I been reading and I think 18 X 18 X 36 is the cage size I’m leaning toward. Can some one point me in the right direction?

A little bit about my background. I own a Mexican Black King Snake. I love my snake. (Jet black) I also own pair of bearded dragons. (Male and female). I breed silkworms, meal worms, super worm, crickets, Turkistan Roach (Blatta Lateralis) - Rusty Reds, and Dubia roaches (Blaptica dubia). As feeders to my beardes.
Click to expand...

It's not really a good idea to start off with multiple chameleons, especially different species, especially if you've never owned one before, but if you're ready for the responsibility then go for it!
I have had a veiled, and he was awesome, bulletproof, and the sweetest little guy ever.
Now I have a panther (ambilobexnosybe), and an oustalet's at my boyfriend's house, and let me tell you, they all have they're pros! I started off with a veiled because I heard that they were the best 'beginner' chameleons, because they're so sturdy.
but I love my panther so much, and my oustalet's is a little sweetheart too! :)
We also have a female Beardie named Louis, and she's a beast as well!
I'm glad to see another reptile lover on the forums!
 
Well looks like you have the food covered. Ultimately a large chameleon like a veiled or a panther will need at least a 2x2x4 cage as an adult. Jacksons are smaller so a smaller cage would be okay. I bought a full chameleon set up from LLLreptile.com for about 200 dollars.

Checklist:
-Reptisun 5.0 linear uvb lighting and appropriate hood
-fully screen cage
-three types of suppliments: Calcium w/o D3, Calcium w/ D3, and a multivitamin
-normal incandesent light bulb and dome for basking spot (wattage will vary with each species)
-hand pump mister
-Dripper of some sort
-live plants and vines/braches for basking and roaming
-appropriate vaggies for gutloading all feeders
-drainage system in each cage so that it wont flood
-digital thermometer/hydrometer
-Extra money for a yearly vet check or emergencies

Veiled babies run about $40, Panthers about $150-$300, and Jacksons are pretty cheap and will probably be close the price of a Veiled.

If you have any specific questions just ask.
 
efrainz28 said:
Hi everybody,
My name is Efrain and I live in California. I want to own an Ambilobe panther (the colors lol) and a Veiled chameleon (I love there head). I also want a Jackson because I like the horns but I’m not to sure.
Click to expand...

Just be aware that the conditions you create for the veiled and panther won't work well for a jackson's. If you aren't sure you can provide the cooler higher humidity the jax needs year round (especially at night), you would be best to stick with the other two at first.
 
I’m a real responsible person and I won’t buy any type of animal if I don’t feel I can take care of them properly. I work 3 mile away (5 minute drive) and I come home for lunch to feed my bearded dragon. I clean there cage daily because there poop machines. I have supplement that I can use from the Bearded dragon. I clean the bin of the feeders weekly. I don’t have a time frame but I would like to buy the panther at the reptile expo but if I’m not ready I won’t. I don’t want it to die and have the guilty of not provided the ideal conditions.

Here’s what I have
-Reptisun 5.0 linear uvb lighting and appropriate hood
-Three types of supplements: Calcium w/o D3, Calcium w/ D3, and a multivitamin
-normal incandescent light bulb and dome for basking spot (wattage will vary with each species)
-hand pump mister
-Dripper of some sort
-appropriate veggies for gut loading all feeders
-digital thermometer/hydrometer
-Extra money for a yearly vet check or emergencies

Things I need:
-fully screen cage
-live plants and vines/braches for basking and roaming
-drainage system in each cage so that it wont flood

My questions are:
What size cage to start and material?
What temp and humidity is optimal for panther/veiled?

Thanks for the help. My future chameleons will be grateful :D
 
Welcome to the chameleon forums. I'm sure you will do well with your chameleon/chameleons as long as you research first and I'm sure that's why you are here. I have two veileds, one male and one female and my daughter has panthers. Veileds and panthers are very similar. As far as temps go I keep my adult male's basking at 88 to 89 and my adult female at 80 or 81 to prevent egg laying. An adult male panther should only have a basking area of 85. Adult female panthers would be 80 same as a female veiled. Humidity for veileds would be around 50 % or so and panther 60% or so. I would recommend you start with a male ......they are much easier. Adult males should have a cage at least 4 ft. high. I free range mine. Are you planning to buy a baby or adult or sub-adult? It would be different for each. I am attaching a link below with some great info. It helped me allot when I first started. Jann

http://raisingkittytheveiledchamele...-max=2008-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=11
 
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Both an adult panther and adult veiled will need a 2x2x4 cage. A baby will need a small cage no bigger than 16x16x30 and juvenile can probably be placed in the adult cage immediately if it's older than 5-6 months. Babies need a basking temp of 80 untile they are 7-9 months old. At which point a male panther will need a temp of 85 and and adult male veiled will need a temp of 90-95. Females of both need to stay around 80 their whole life to prevent egg laying.
 
A 2x2x4 cage is in my eyes for an adult calyptratus and pardalis cruelty to animals. Even for much smaller but active species like tavetana it's not optimal. And deeper temperatures don't have anything to do with egg production
 
Well in addition to food intake and gutloading as well, but I didn't have time to type that when i replied.

2x2x4 is a cage minimum but not every one can make a large cage although it would definately be better.
 
pssh said:
Well in addition to food intake and gutloading as well, but I didn't have time to type that when i replied.

2x2x4 is a cage minimum but not every one can make a large cage although it would definately be better.
Click to expand...

If sb hasn't enough place or money to give a chameleon which can grow up over a half meter a cage bigger than this, the person should think about other animals.
But maybe it's part of the American mindset that everybody should be able to buy a house and have the opinion to buy the pets he/she wants...
 
But that's unnatural. Animals are trained in thousands of years to eat when they have the chance to do (humans of course too).
Both, animals and (most of the) humans are unable to realize when it is enough. That's why the majority of the "first world" inhabitants are too fat and nearly all animals in captivity too
 
IMHO controlling the food is the main part of contolling the production of eggs in the veiled...but the gutloading and supplementing also play a part. The reason I maintain the female veileds at slightly lower temperatures is to try to slow the metabolism slightly so they won't be so hungry.

The timing of the food control is important too...when the female is producing eggs, she needs nutrients to be able to produce them without draining her own body's nutrients. Controlling the diet a couple of days after the chameleon lays her eggs IMHO is when the control needs to be done.

Panthers are different...I seem to be able to keep the clutches small, but I can't stop them from laying clutches the way I can the veileds.
 
eisentrauti said:
If sb hasn't enough place or money to give a chameleon which can grow up over a half meter a cage bigger than this, the person should think about other animals.
But maybe it's part of the American mindset that everybody should be able to buy a house and have the opinion to buy the pets he/she wants...
Click to expand...
I’m Mexican American and I want an Asian Water Monitor; I don’t buy one because it not fare the animal. I can dedicate a 12ft x 12ft room but being a responsible pet owner I won’t buy one just because I can. I don’t think I can meet its needs. Don’t assume all American think that way.
eisentrauti said:
A 2x2x4 cage is in my eyes for an adult calyptratus and pardalis cruelty to animals. Even for much smaller but active species like tavetana it's not optimal. And deeper temperatures don't have anything to do with egg production
Click to expand...
What I read from the blogs/internet/breeders 2ft x 2ft x 4ft is the minimum. (Popular size) I looked all over to find a bigger cage ex 3ft x3ft x 4ft but I can’t find one. If it’s cruelty why is it a popular size on most every vendor page? (Biggest you can buy) my bearded dragons have a 40 gallon cage but only use half of the tank. I helped a friend build a 9ft x 3ft x 3ft cage and his reptile only uses 3ft x 3ft x 3ft of the cage. He has a hard time feed his pet. (The feeders stay on the opposite side of the cage.)Bigger is not always better. Every one here is trying to help me better understand chameleons but its there personal opinion. (Experience with chameleons) I’m basically gathering info to help me better understand there requirements. In your opinion what’s an ideal size? I respect your opinion because you own chameleon and you helped me. Thanks


I would like to buy a baby’s around 4-5 months. What size of cage would I need?
 
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I use a 16x16x30 cage for my babies, but you can probably buy an 18x18x36 if you want as that is the minumum cage size for a female if you ever want one. 2x2x4 is the minimum for males but a taller cage would be best as they prefer height over width. If you decide to make a bigger cage and he cant find all his food you can always cup feed. If you decide to free range him later you will need to cup feed. Cup feeding doesnt always require an actual cup though, you can use a tub so he can still hunt but he can always find them.
 
If you cup feed a 4 to 5 month old should be ok in the aldult cage....just make sure they are eating. When your cham's a little older you might want to consider free range. Some of us here free range.
 
I cup feed and I have a 4 month old veild and he is in a huge cage and he eats around 10-12 crix... I also like cup feeding because you can really keep an eye on how they are eating....
 
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