Here is the info
Cage Info:
Cage Type - Was housed in an ExoTerra cylindrical terrarium: Explorarium 45 - 45 x 60 cm. This week, as per recommendations, I moved him to a glass terrarium (62 x 32 x 40 cm).
6 months old panther should be caged in all screen cage. not glass as it promotes stale air and bacteria growth. Best to get 61 cm X 61 cmX 122 cm tall enclosure. Can you somewhat refund the glass terrarium and buy the screen cage instead? it is much much cheaper
Lighting - We were using an ExoTerra Sun Glo Halogen Neodymium Lamp (75W), upgraded to a mercury vapor. As per advice this week, I have switched to a basking spot lamp (100W)and a tropical 25 UVB fluorescent bulb and fixture. Lights are turned on early and remain on until 12 am.
i'm not sure i understand the timing here. you say the light remain on until midnight? That is a bit too intense. The best way is to imitate real life. I turn on the light at 6 am and turn off the light at 6pm
Temperature - The temperature range is between 21 and 24 degrees celcius. In the Explorarium, the temp was warmest at the top on one side but Wolfie had lots of plants and a cool spot that remained room temperature. Temp at night: 20 - 23 degrees celcius. The temp is similar in the terrarium but the basking spot is 26.7 celcius
night temp is perfect. but get the basking spot to 30 Celsius
Humidity - Humidity levels are a challenge in the Explorarium but I have been able to maintain levels in the glass enclosure. In the morning, levels had dropped to 25% but I maintain 40-65% with regular misting throughout the day.
more misting. it should not drop below 40% if possible. with mesh cage it will be difficult to maintain humidity, but once you fill the cage with real plants, it will be quite easy.
Plants - Silk and plastic aquarium plants- I just added 2 small live philodendrons with some coconut substrate atop the soil.
Location - The Explorarium was mounted in a location with minimal traffic, within sight of a window but not too close. Wolfie is currently in the corner of my home office, near a window. (no draft)
no substrate at all. It promotes bacteria growth. Philodendron is very toxic to your chameleon. take it out! get these 3: golden pothos, ficus benjamina, hibiscus rosa sinensis
Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Male, panther chameleon - age: 6mths
Feeding - Crickets: gutloaded Amount: last week to 10 days, he has eaten a cricket or 2 a day. I thought he was on an “hunger strike” but I now believe there is a more serious problem. Before that, 10-15, depending on their size. What kind of schedule: mornings. How are you gut-loading your feeders: I use a mix from Canadianfeeders.com, which contains the following:Barley Flakes, Bee Pollen, Brewer's Yeast, Buckwheat Grits, Cracked Oats, Cracked Rye, Cracked Triticale, Cracked Wheat, Dehydrated Alfalfa, Dehydrated Cranberry, Dehydrated Coconut, Flaked Corn, Flax Seed, Gelatin, Hulled Millet, Paprika, Peanuts, Probiotic Culture (L. Acidophilus, L. Bifdus, B. Longum), Rolled Oats, Spirulina, Sunflower Seed, White Sesame Seed, Yellow Flax Seed. I also use water cubes with calcium.
Supplements - Repcal calcium with D3 (4 x per week) and Stickytongue Farm multivitamins (2 x per week)
don't overload him with D3. reduce the repcal to 2X a week. and get herptivite (multivitamins). so the scheduling should be
herptivite (2X a week) Repcal D3 (2X a week) MinerAll (2X a week). make sure the minerAll is the "0" edition. not the "1" as it contains D3.
Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use: Misting (4X per day). He has been drinking but not so far today.
Usually 5 minutes per session will induce your chameleon drinking response
Fecal Description - Because he has not eaten, there are no recent droppings. Lots of healthy-looking fecal matter.
History - His health has always been good. The breeder (away right now) would stop in once a month to check on him and was pleased with his health and growth.
Current Problem - He is lethargic, barely moves, won't eat. Eyes are closed often. Both my breeder and the only qualified vet have been away for several weeks. I have taken Wolfie to a local reptile enthusiast and he force fed him one cricket, which he spat up the next day. He made some recommendations, which I followed and although Wolfie physically looks improved, he is still not moving much and has yet to take a drink today.
Update: He is looking less dehydrated but when I placed him atop a branch/foliage, he is not gripping or holding onto the branch. He is just balancing on the branch. I picked up some Repti-Aid but am loathe to move him around. Should I wait for a bit and then give him a warm shower and some Repti Aid? I am looking for my digital camera. Until then, he is pale (like he often is when asleep). Although he looks better, I don’t think he is! His breathing seems light (until I reach in and he inhales and exhales more deeply). I am beginning to think he may have MBD. Buying lighting can be so confusing and I was using the Halogen Neodymium Lamp (75W) for a few months. When I learned that contrary to the box descriptions, it dod not contain the right UV rays, I bought a mercury vapor bulb. Any advice would be welcome.
best UVB light so far is zoomed Reptisun 5.0 Tube. be very precise with this and don't buy anything else.
Kind regards,
Rose
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