First timer needs advice.... sorry kinda long

[RLover09]

Hey everyone, In a week I am going to be getting my first Cham. I am so excited!! .. Anyways I was wondering if anyone had any advise for a first timer. All I've been doing the past week is reading everything I can but sometimes the best advice comes from those who have been though it a time or two, I am a reptile lover I've raised and breed turtles my whole life, I've also got a bunch of snakes and different lizards that live freely in the back yard (all of them are native to my area) and every singled one is named lol. I love all my babies and they get spoiled. I've always wanted a Cham. but was never able to till now. He's a 6 month old Panther, and he is the sweetest thing ever!! He's very calm and confortable with me which is great. He also loves to be held, and hand feed. The good thing about where I am getting him is you get the habitat with him. So I don't have to worry so much about the stress of a new enviroment. I so can't wait!!! What ever advice, tips or secrets you have on Cham. would be wonderful. I want to be totally prepared when I bring him home.

Thanks

 

[bridgofaith]

Congratulations on your new cham! What type of setup do you get with this guy? Lights?

 

[kinyonga]

Welcome to the forum!

Here are some sites with good information...
http://adcham.com/
http://web.archive.org/web/20060502...als.com/vet/index.php?show=8.Gout.Basics.html
http://chameleonnews.com/
http://www.uvguide.co.uk/

 

[summoner12]

Check out Brad Ramsey's site... lots of good care there. And a lot of it crosses over to panthers.

 

[RLover09]

She including the lights and drip system hes getting a little big for his current habitat so were going to be building him a bigger one.. any Ideas?

 

[summoner12]

She including the lights and drip system hes getting a little big for his current habitat so were going to be building him a bigger one.. any Ideas?

What are you keeping him in right now?

 

[RLover09]

What are you keeping him in right now?

I don't get him till this weekend... I really can't tell you much on what he's in now, but we're going to be building him a new cage real soon... Any advice??

 

[chambabysitter1]

I don't get him till this weekend... I really can't tell you much on what he's in now, but we're going to be building him a new cage real soon... Any advice??

Set it up before not after.
It's alot less stressful if you are playing with lighbulb sweet spots and cage adjustments before he arrives not after.

 

[RLover09]

Set it up before not after.
It's alot less stressful if you are playing with lighbulb sweet spots and cage adjustments before he arrives not after.

Good point....

 

[RLover09]

does anyone have advice on a good cage setup.... I want it to be perfect for him.....

 

[chambabysitter1]

Not to toot my own horn, but here is mine;

Indoor:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/new-habitat-chameleo-fury-23455/

Outdoor:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/budget-no-skill-diy-26260/



Another user's cages I am a fan of:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/someone-got-new-castle-25144/

This thread is magnificent:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/chameleon-room-pics-share-25089/

This link has some nice ones as well:
http://www.chameo.org/husbandry.html

 

[sandrachameleon]

It really is exciting getting a new chameleon. Happy for you! and glad you're taking the time to get prepared and set-up in advance.

On that note, if you want to read about and see many examples of enclosures, feel free to check out this blog entry: https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/82-enclosures-housing.html

Pictures of a couple of my home made cages:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/members/sandrachameleon-albums-cage.html

 

[summoner12]

Ideally you want to have lots to climb on, places to hide and such. My cages seem a bit bare... but my chams have their own room and the trees were freshly trimmed and are filling in. You want a 5.0 UVB linear lamp (Zoo Med is recommended) a 50-75w heat lamp depending on temps in the room and time of year. Buying a misting system is a good idea as well, but for one cage might be a bit costly at first. Hand misting 3-4 times a day for at least three to four minutes each time is good. Also providing a dripper during the day is good and ensures hydration since your cham can drink at will.

Ill share a couple of pictures of cages I have...

This is Pat's cage before I installed any vines. (I just trimmed that tree)

This was Pat's older cage when he was smaller

This cage is for Steve. I no longer have the pothos in the cage and I trimmed the tree back a bit because it was covering his UVB lamps.