I've posted a couple threads asking questions and general advice on free-ranging and no-one has responded. I have a 6-month old male panther and I just started free-ranging him about 2 weeks ago, His cage is on our bar/counter and I open his cage door all the way and I put a ficus plant right outside it with branches to climb through it and then my husband put lots of branches which I decorated with silk flowers across the top of the bar which he can get to from the tree by a rope we put there and he loves it. The problem is that he always wants out and it wouldn't be a problem if I knew he was eating enough but he doesn't seem to care about eating or getting warm or anything, he just wants out all the time. So, when free-ranging, what's the best way to feed him and how do I know he's getting enough to eat? (when he was only in his cage, we's just put the crickets in the cage for him to hunt and eat, now he doesn't seem to be doing that), and how do I make sure he's getting enough humidity? (I was misting the inside of his cage 3-4 times a day and sometimes using a vaporizer). And, he doesn't care about going back in his cage to bask and get warm, is that a problem? And, he fell on Saturday, about 6 feet, trying to climb off his branches onto the wall. Luckily he didn't hurt himself. Is that common and how do I prevent that or make it safer for him? And, when he's out roaming of course, he's not getting the uv light, I can put another uv lamp over his jungle gym to solve that, but do they have enough instinct to know how often to go under the uv light? I know these are a lot of questions to ask but you guys are the only ones I know of that I can turn to, to answer them and give me the best advise. Please, I need all the information I can get on free-ranging so I can still make sure my baby is safe and healthy and thriving......
Help please.....
- Thread starter mimibozzo
- Start date
Lathis
Chameleon Enthusiast
Sorry you haven't gotten a good response back. Shame on us!
He's at that age where he is desperate to find his first lady and establish his own territory... probably a big part of the reason he wants out ALL the time!
Do you monitor his weight? Are his urates nice and white? If he's not losing weight and he is hydrated, you probably don't have to worry too much. If you make feeders available inside his cage, he will eat during his "down" time. If you are worried about humidity in the free range, set up a cool mist ultrasonic humidifier near his tree. It will raise the local humidity. I wouldn't worry about basking temperatures too much. If he's cold, he will stay under the light. If he gets a several hours a day under the UV lamp, I don't think you have to worry about not having one in the free range.
As for falling, you should be concerned about that. He's young and stupid
You can lay something soft under his tree in case he falls again or setsome vines that let him get down to the ground. He will follow vines instead of trying to climb the wall (at least, this works for my Jax who loves to try to climb walls).
I'm glad you're giving him time to free range! My chameleon just loves it.
Hope this helps!
He's at that age where he is desperate to find his first lady and establish his own territory... probably a big part of the reason he wants out ALL the time!
Do you monitor his weight? Are his urates nice and white? If he's not losing weight and he is hydrated, you probably don't have to worry too much. If you make feeders available inside his cage, he will eat during his "down" time. If you are worried about humidity in the free range, set up a cool mist ultrasonic humidifier near his tree. It will raise the local humidity. I wouldn't worry about basking temperatures too much. If he's cold, he will stay under the light. If he gets a several hours a day under the UV lamp, I don't think you have to worry about not having one in the free range.
As for falling, you should be concerned about that. He's young and stupid
You can lay something soft under his tree in case he falls again or setsome vines that let him get down to the ground. He will follow vines instead of trying to climb the wall (at least, this works for my Jax who loves to try to climb walls).I'm glad you're giving him time to free range! My chameleon just loves it.
Hope this helps!
Thank you so much for responding. I appreciate it more than you know. How can I weigh him? He's so light right now, obviously he wouldn't register on a regular bathroom scale, do I need to get a special scale for him? And where would I get that cool mist humidifier you mentioned?
laurie
Retired Moderator
You can go to target and get a cheap Crane brand humidifier. I like the elephant model as the trunk allows you to point it where you like. They are $30 to $40.
I always had one in my boys free range room. I also set up a dripper and an extra UVB .
Do a search on milk jug feeders. They work well in free ranges.
I always had one in my boys free range room. I also set up a dripper and an extra UVB .
Do a search on milk jug feeders. They work well in free ranges.
Lathis
Chameleon Enthusiast
Yep, I got mine at Target too. I wanted the frog (so cute!) but opted for a plain one on clearance. You can use a food scale to weigh him. Get one that measures in grams. I got mine also at Target in the kitchen stuff for about $10. I try to remember to weigh my cham every other week or so. Just as a reference.
