any tips on panther noenate care?

[Sir Rutherford]

Here is my setup for the babies. The oldest hatched about 5 days ago. it is hard to see but there is a 18" zoomed reptisun 5.0 15 watt bulb mounted 16 in. above the enclosure. The cycle is 12 and 12. The tub is 36 qt. size and is currently housing 8 babies. I mist the enclosure about 6 times daily. It is cleaned (remove the paper towel on the bottom and replace it) once daily. I feed fruit flies twice daily( dusted with reptivite or repcal w d3 added). The temp averages at 77 degrees F. (ranging from 72 to 80). Some of the chameleons have their eyes closed more than what i believe to be normal. Some say this could be because of the lighting (which I just changed to the setup previously in the post). Before I had a zoomed self ballasted 5.0 light about 6 in. above the enclosure. People say how they eat you out of house and home which I have prepared for. Now i only have the ff's but tomorrow the silkworms come in and should hatch soon. They only seem to eat more aggressively in the morning during first feeding.During the second feeding (8 hours after the first at "lights on"), the don't seem to eat at all and look more tired. This is my first experience with neonates and I may be worrying too much. Anyone have any tips, or am I doing anything wrong?

 

[TreeTopChameleons]

It sounds like you are doing a great job raising your babies...no additional input from me other than to add more variety to their feeders, which you have already said you are going to do, so well done, and good luck with raising them up!

 

[Sir Rutherford]

The affirmations make me feel much more at ease! Thank you. I am just so worried because the little guys are so small and fragile and this my first clutch hatching. I know any mistake would be catastrophic at this point!

 

[TreeTopChameleons]

No thanks needed! It is always wonderful to see new hatchlings, whether they are my own or someone elses. Enjoy it, I have a feeling this will probably be the first of many clutches for you...its a very addictive thing to watch the full cycle of your chameleons!

 

[azgnoinc]

Do they have a basking area? I didn't see it mentioned in your post, if not they will need one quickly - chams digest and metabolize their food faster when they are warmer - as all reptiles are cold blooded. Some of the breeders I inquired have their basking area as high as 90, though most recommend about 85.
Try this and see if you get more activity from them, as they should not be sitting around with their eyes closed while the lights are on.
Sounds like you are doing good on the humidity factor by misting so much too!!

 

[TreeTopChameleons]

A basking area is not needed for newborn's. Ambient temperatures are sufficient for them to be comfortable, tho if you insist on putting a basking area, I would suggest no higher than 80 degrees. Babies overheat incredibly quickly.

 

[CHScrusader]

Do they have a basking area? I didn't see it mentioned in your post, if not they will need one quickly - chams digest and metabolize their food faster when they are warmer - as all reptiles are cold blooded. Some of the breeders I inquired have their basking area as high as 90, though most recommend about 85.
Try this and see if you get more activity from them, as they should not be sitting around with their eyes closed while the lights are on.
Sounds like you are doing good on the humidity factor by misting so much too!!

That is false information... Chameleons dont need a basking spot at such a young age. Room temperature is fine. They have very small bodys that are open to heat and could be overheated very quickly.

 

[suzi]

I use a basking on all my neonates and have not lost any. I keep my basking at 90 and I highly recommend cutting two large squares on each end of your tub ( like 4'' by 6'' and hot glue screen for ventilation, IMO it gets and stays too wet without the screen windows. You also are using too much D3, Reptivite has D3 get a calcium with out D3 for every feeding and D3 a couple times a week until they get a little older then cut back.