Heat for Panther chameleon

[Meg4433]

What should the temperature be for a 6 month old Panther. I just put a 100 watt daylight blue reptile I had a 60. The temp was usually around 70 to 80 on a good day. I don't want to burn him. The cage is 16x 16x30.

 

[VeiledChams]

You want temperatures in his basking spot in the 90s, but giving him ample room to find temperatures within the enclosure in the 70's. This is where bigger cages are better, but do have problems with UV light penetration.

 

[Meg4433]

My basking light is only at 70-80. I am watching the temp. I don't want to burn him. He hasn't been as active that I think he should be. Hoping the light is a good choice.

 

[Meg4433]

What size cage do you have. Do you have an adult Panther. I don't know when I should buy a bigger one.

 

[Wowbango]

A 16x16x30 is awfully small for a a 6 month old Panther. You need to move him into an adult 2'x2'4' cage. Basking temperatures should be in the high 80's to low 90's. Don't buy any of those specialized Blue/Red heat bulbs, they're overpriced and useless. Use a regular incandescent, or if your fixture allows it, a Halogen bulb.

 

[ChamDE86]

Meg,

Your basking light for panther chameleons should be 86-90 degrees. 70-80 is too low and will cause health complications due to the inability to digest his food properly. I use a regular 60W incandescent bulb with a an arm adjuster that raises the light dome a few inches off the cage.

 

[ChamDE86]

Meg,

This is my 1 year old panther chameleon in his 2x2x4 Reptibreeze cage. He's been in the largest reptibreeze cage since I've had him at 3 months old. Besides a couple of changes (added mistking & drainage), this is basically what his cage set up looks like now. Your current cage is entirely too small and I can't imagine your cham being too happy with the lack of space.

 

[Meg4433]

He's not as perky as when I got him 3 weeks ago. I will have to raise the light more. What size cage do u have?

 

[Meg4433]

I noticed that the humity went down since I put the 100 watt bulb in. Ugh. Frustrated

 

[Meg4433]

Your cage is awesome. I know I need to get a bigger cage just wasn't sure when. I will order one.

 

[Andee]

How often are you misting? Humidity doesn't need to be a constant thing. 50% is usually the norm and then it should raise to the high 80's when being misted. It should dry out completely between mistings. Mist for 2 minutes at a time, or longer if you can, it will stimulate drinking.