First Panther

[Chamtrainer704]

Hey this little guy is my first panther, I do have a 10 yr old veiled who is on his way out but feel a little inexperienced just due to new species. I would love some feed back on his current enclosure as well as some hints for size and favorite plants for when I build the larger enclosure, thank you for the help!

 

[Chamtrainer704]

Pics

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[Thegreatfonz]

The first thing I notice is that your basking light is very close to your chameleon. With the ladder setup like that you should at least has ~10-12inches of space between the bulb and the cham. You can either lower the ladder using twist ties or suspend the clamp lamp. Also you can add a live plant to hold humidity better..even if its just a pothos in the center of the cage. If you really want a nice critique of your setup and husbandry you can fill out a how to ask for help form: https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/, so we can see how you are supplementing your chameleon also!
Also here is a safe plant list you can look at as you plan your larger enclosure https://www.chameleonforums.com/plants/
Welcome to the forums!

 

[melble68]

You are going to find that veileds and panthers are pretty close in care. Juvi panthers should only have basking around 82f give or take (80-85). Becareful with how close your cham can get to the basking light. 24x24x48 is perfectly acceptable for an adult. You also eventually will want to get a UV tube instead of the spriral.

Get rid of the water dish in the bottom.

 

[Chamtrainer704]

Thanks for the advice! moving the light up and going ahead and adding a live plant, the water dish I dump out every day is just there to help catch some excess water but I'll trash it anyway.

 

[melble68]

See if you can create some sort of a drainage system. It will make your daily routine easier. Check out what I did.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/custom-drainage-system-121443/

 

[carol5208]

You could keep the dish if you are using it for drainage and not as a way to provide water. Just cover it with screen or something so your chameleon cannot fall in and drown. BTW what is your secret to keeping a Veild alive that long??? That is REALLY old!!! I am curious if you could elaborate on his diet, your gutloading, and what supplements and vitamins you use. Maybe we can all learn something!!!

 

[Chamtrainer704]

I really do think I just got lucky with Yoda, I adopted him from a friend when he was 4 being my first chameleon. He's lived in all sorts of environments a shower, free range, a plant in a car, on summers on my porch you name it he's been there past few years he's been in a large bird cage plenty of vines and plants to feel safe temp regularly checked all the norms there. Feeding he always loved eating veggies and fruits, I did not use any vitamins and would occasionally supplement calcium he had a variety of insects, gut loading the night before mix of fruits and veggies usually what I had at the time... Kale, oats, oranges, berries. Again I just think he's a badass, made me obsessed with these guys. Thanks for the post!

 

[Chamtrainer704]

Good simple design, in the process of setting him up in a safer location with more space, how do you like your cage?

 

[melble68]

I really do think I just got lucky with Yoda, I adopted him from a friend when he was 4 being my first chameleon. He's lived in all sorts of environments a shower, free range, a plant in a car, on summers on my porch you name it he's been there past few years he's been in a large bird cage plenty of vines and plants to feel safe temp regularly checked all the norms there. Feeding he always loved eating veggies and fruits, I did not use any vitamins and would occasionally supplement calcium he had a variety of insects, gut loading the night before mix of fruits and veggies usually what I had at the time... Kale, oats, oranges, berries. Again I just think he's a badass, made me obsessed with these guys. Thanks for the post!

I hope my panther Luke Skywalker learns via the "force" from your Yoda about living life to the fullest.

 

[melble68]

Good simple design, in the process of setting him up in a safer location with more space, how do you like your cage?

I'm pleased w/ my DIY. For whatever reason I was sent to older version of the panels w/ the splines, but I'm good w/ that. This is just our cooler months inside enclosure, and Luke is growing like a weed. Just waiting for him to grow a bit more, and it to warm up consistently so we can make our way out to the big outdoor enclosure that I built. Its basically ready, but there's a few additional tweeks I still need to do before spring.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/outdoor-enclosure-model-636-ver-1-a-118915/