Basic Enclosure question/ideas?

[cba040608]

I just bought an adult male Panther Chameleon . . . he came with a pretty small cage the pet store said would be o.k. for him to stay in. Since then I've read online that he would need a 2x2x4, so I bought one for him online. I won't get it for about a week and I want to get the stuff that will go inside before it comes. The only things I'm thinking about getting is BioVine, a fake leafy vine to wrap around that, 100w MV bulb with a 10" dome, and a "Small Dripper". Is the Umbrella plant o.k.? I'm planning on just putting paper towels on the bottom. I also already have a smaller dome (than 10") with a blue bulb in it for night time. I've read about bowls for food but he will eat right off your hand . . . Any other suggestions from what your Cams like in their cage? Are the things Im already getting for the cage good?

 

[Eyal]

I also already have a smaller dome (than 10") with a blue bulb in it for night time.

Night time heater is not needed if your rooms temperature does not go below 20 degrees celcius at night, dont know what that is in farenheit..

 

[Ryan Jarosek]

I just bought an adult male Panther Chameleon . . . he came with a pretty small cage the pet store said would be o.k. for him to stay in. Since then I've read online that he would need a 2x2x4, so I bought one for him online. I won't get it for about a week and I want to get the stuff that will go inside before it comes. The only things I'm thinking about getting is BioVine, a fake leafy vine to wrap around that, 100w MV bulb with a 10" dome, and a "Small Dripper". Is the Umbrella plant o.k.? I'm planning on just putting paper towels on the bottom. I also already have a smaller dome (than 10") with a blue bulb in it for night time. I've read about bowls for food but he will eat right off your hand . . . Any other suggestions from what your Cams like in their cage? Are the things Im already getting for the cage good?

No bulb for nighttime. Just use a 60w house bulb for basking during the day. A umbrella plant is perfect. I use 1 umbrella and 1 ficus in all my cages.

What kind of UV light are you using? Are you supplementing? How much and how often are you feeding?

Here is some recommended information to include when asking for help in the health clinic forum. By providing this information, you will receive more accurate and beneficial responses. It might not be necessary to answer all these questions, but the more you provide the better. Please remember that even the most knowledgeable person can only guess at what your problem may be. Only an experienced reptile veterinarian who can directly examine your animal can give a true diagnosis of your chameleon's health.


Cage Info:

• Cage Type - Describe your cage construction (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
• Lighting - What brand, model, and type of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
• Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
• Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
• Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
• Location - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?

Chameleon Info:

• Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
• Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
• Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
• Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
• Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
• Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
• History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.
• Current Problem - The current problem that you are concerned about.

 

[Trinacham]

I just bought an adult male Panther Chameleon . . . he came with a pretty small cage the pet store said would be o.k. for him to stay in. Since then I've read online that he would need a 2x2x4, so I bought one for him online. I won't get it for about a week and I want to get the stuff that will go inside before it comes. The only things I'm thinking about getting is BioVine, a fake leafy vine to wrap around that, 100w MV bulb with a 10" dome, and a "Small Dripper". Is the Umbrella plant o.k.? I'm planning on just putting paper towels on the bottom. I also already have a smaller dome (than 10") with a blue bulb in it for night time. I've read about bowls for food but he will eat right off your hand . . . Any other suggestions from what your Cams like in their cage? Are the things Im already getting for the cage good?

I had the same thing happen to me - this was my first chameleon (and reptile) so the man said he'll sort out everything I will need before I come pick him up. He chose a cage too small and didn't tell me he would need a bigger one when he is older. My dad just built me a 5 foot cage (a pic is on my thread)! I love it!
I put in a cup to put the crickets into just incase they could eat through the mesh but so far he hasn't eaten out of it. Mostly he just hand feeds. I wouldn't bother with it, like you say.
Sounds like you have said everything you need. Mine also has a water bowl because unlike most chams, he can drink out of a bowl. An Umbrella plant is fine, also.

 

[arkist]

As Ryan said, what about UV lighting and supplements?

I would like to add something to keep humidity up, drainage system, gutload, lighting timers, and I think your gonna want more then one plant in there depending on how big the plant is. Not to overwhelm you, just somethings to consider if you haven't already.

 

[cba040608]

"What kind of UV light are you using? Are you supplementing? How much and how often are you feeding?"


I'm using an MV bulb (Mercury Vapor), and they "dust" the crickets when I got them today. . . I got 12 today and he ate all of them, he didnt eat yesterday, but did the day before at the pet store while they were showing me he ate from your hand =)

 

[Rocky]

1. The umbrella plant(schleffera) is fine

2. If you are interested in something a little cheaper than bio vines walmart has more or less the same fake ivy/vines in the fake flower area for about 5 dollars per 6 feet. Also a pothos plant would work better than fake vines. Pothos can be bought for about 8 dollars and grows pretty quickly

 

[Amanda S]

Do you know what they dusted the crickets with?

You need 3 different supplements - a multivitamin, calcium with D3, and calcium w/o D3. The multivitamin they should get once a month, the calcium w/ D3 twice a month (unless he gets some time in the sun), and the calcium w/o D3 every other day/feeding. You might want to buy a bunch of crickets at a time, figure out a dusting schedule, and do it yourself but just pouring them into a bag and shaking them around.

It is also recommended that chameleons get a variety of feeder insects. The Petco near me sells superworms, phoenix worms, mealworms, and waxworms. Phoenix worms are really high in calcium and don't need to be dusted and waxworms make a good treat, they are fatty. I have never used superworms (too large for my little cham) but your guy would probably like them. Good luck!