have i got the wrong enclosure

[Gruntputik]

i have just bought a pantha chameleon at a show today it is very friendly and wants to just sit on my hand or head but i have just read not to put it in a glass enclosure as these are not the right sort. but was told at the show where i bought my Panth chameleon that it would be fine as a starter, the chameleon is only small at the moment as long as my thumb so should i get a different enclosure for it or do anyone else have theirs in a glass enclosure

 

[ChameleonRave]

Could you post pictures? You will need to get an all screen enclosure for the chameleon very soon.

 

[ChameleonRave]

Please fill this out in detail:

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.


Cage Info:

Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
Lighting - What brand, model, and types 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?
Placement - 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?
Location - Where are you geographically located?


Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.


Pictures are helpful

 

[ChameleonFan1989]

Pics would help but many members here DO use glass terrariums for their chams and had alot of success with them.

 

[Olimpia]

Welcome to the forum and to chameleons!

Is it an aquarium type tank or does it have the screen top and air holes towards the bottom with the front doors? Is it's the second type then it will be fine for now. He will outgrow it and then you'll probably have to get an all screen cage that's much bigger. If it is an aquarium, see if you can return it or something and get something else. Aquariums will work for very little time, within a month or less he will have outgrown the limited height and poor airflow.

 

[perry123]

I dont have a panther chameleon but I read that if your going to use a glass tank you are going to need to use a terrarium. The reason for that is chameleons need lots of ventilation and exo terras and zoo meds terrariums provide this. But i think you will probably going to need to get a screen cage because panther chameleons can get fairly big and an adult male would at least need a 2x2x4 screen cage and an adult female would need at least a 18x18x36. Best of luck

 

[Gruntputik]

here is the cage and a quick shot of my new panther chameleon

 

[Gruntputik]

as you can see olimpia it has ventilation at the top and two front doors with a uv lamp in the hood and a lard heater pad on the back inside of the enclosure

 

[camimom]

It wil work for him for now. but once he outgrows it get a screen.
now you said it has a heater pad on the back?
pls remove that.
these can get very hot and a cham can get burned. (and no, they wont always move when something is too hot for them).

 

[DavidBuchan]

You got an enclosure that will comfortably last him for 8 months, or maybe even a bit longer, but he will definitely need a larger enclosure when he's an adult. Probably better to get a screen one, the airflow is so important.

 

[Olimpia]

Yea, unfortunately chameleons are weird when it comes to detecting when things are too hot. They sort of take an ambient reading and not a spot reading, so if they're burning the side of their tail, they can't quite feel it for a bit. Remove that and get just a normal house bulb for heat during the day. For a glass tank, perhaps a 40w will do well to get to 80-85*F

Yea the tank is perfect for now. However, I would remove the substrate at the bottom. Not so much because they can ingest it and get sick, but because you're going to be spraying water a lot and it's going to get really soggy and dirty down there. It's going to be much harder for you to clean up. Something like cabinet liner would work really well, since it'll be easy to wipe off excess water from as well as poop.