Harsh criticism please

[richardschris]

I am just looking for any criticism anybody might have on my setup and on my cham. I want to make sure that he has the best chance at a long and happy life. So I am going to post what I am doing and some photos.
Please be harsh.

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Ambilobe panther chameleon, male, aprox. 4-5 months old. Has been under my care for 3 months.
Handling - once every few days but only for about 5-10 min.
Feeding - Crickets and dubias, about 10-15 crickets and 4 roaches per day split between morning and late afternoon. Feeders are being gutloaded with vegetables and bug burger. Planning on getting some dinofuel and making some of sandras gutload from her blog.
Supplements - Zoomed calcium without d3 at every feeding except tuesdays. Tuesday switch between zoomed calcium with d3 and the next tuesday I use repcal herptivite.
Watering - I use an automatic misting system using distilled water, goes off every 2 hours for 90 seconds. He drinks just fine and I see him drinking quite a bit.
Fecal Description - Brown with white urates, sometimes gets a little yellow, but mostly stays white. He does his business every morning about an hour after waking up. He has never been checked for parasites.


Cage Info:
Cage Type - Screen cage. 30x20x36
Lighting - T5 ho 5.0 uvb bulb comes on at 8 am and turns off at 830 pm. Also a plant light for the live plants in the cage that uses the same times. Also use a basking lamp and 75 w bulb that I can dim if needed.
Temperature - temp near bottom of cage is usually around 68-73. Basking temp is 88.
Humidity - Stays around 60-80 has been getting lower than that the last couple of weeks due to freezing weather where I live and having to use my heater. I will be putting some plastic on two sides of the cage to combat this.
Plants - I have a live hibiscus and a scheffelera
Placement - In my living room in the corner away from high traffic spot and his basking branch is about eye level. me being about 6 feet tall.
Location - Salt lake city, UT
Current Problem - No problems that I am aware of this is more of a I want to fix anything before it becomes a problem. So please critique my set up and be as harsh as you can. I want to make sure my little guy is happy and healthy.
I am also including some photos.
Thanks everyone.


Chilling on my arm


Him hunting, just caught a cricket


Basking after a big breakfast

 

[Carlton]

It's better to feed him earlier in the day so he has time to digest his meals before his metabolism drops when chilling down for the night. Maybe give the main meal in the a.m. and just a snack in mid afternoon instead.

Watch the cage humidity levels...as it gets colder and your house furnace runs more it will dry out his cage faster. The plastic will help hold more water droplets and slow down evaporation.

 

[Mijah139]

My only critiques would be on his cage size and feeders.
What you are doing isnt wrong, but you asked for constructive criticism
Your enclosure size is very minimal for a panther and I'm sure that you know he will need a larger enclosure before long.
As far as feeders, try implementing some more variety into his diet. Have you ever tried feeding worms (meal, super, wax, horn) as snacks? Snails and isopods are also popular feeders (not as the staple insect of course, but as a supplement).

 

[richardschris]

It's better to feed him earlier in the day so he has time to digest his meals before his metabolism drops when chilling down for the night. Maybe give the main meal in the a.m. and just a snack in mid afternoon instead.

Watch the cage humidity levels...as it gets colder and your house furnace runs more it will dry out his cage faster. The plastic will help hold more water droplets and slow down evaporation.

I just wrapped part of the cage in plastic and it does seem to be helping the humidity levels.
Thanks for the advice on feeding times. Ill give that a shot.

 

[richardschris]

My only critiques would be on his cage size and feeders.
What you are doing isnt wrong, but you asked for constructive criticism
Your enclosure size is very minimal for a panther and I'm sure that you know he will need a larger enclosure before long.
As far as feeders, try implementing some more variety into his diet. Have you ever tried feeding worms (meal, super, wax, horn) as snacks? Snails and isopods are also popular feeders (not as the staple insect of course, but as a supplement).

I do plan on getting him a larger cage once he gets a little older. I will be getting him a 24x24x48 cage.
I do give him meal worms and the occasional wax worm as treats. I have looked for other feeders but here in utah the choices are pretty slim and right now with temps never getting above freezing I cant really order anything and expect it to live.

 

[absolutbill]

You can raise your own superworms and mealworm very easily, that way you can always have a little more variety for your cham. Your setup looks pretty good, and you seem to be on the right track - I do have to second the idea to feed earlier in the day. Also, I might mist him for a little longer, with fewer frequencies. Does your cage have a chance to dry out with only 2 hours between mistings? When is your first and last misting of the day? Keep up the good work!