Chopsterholic
New Member
Hello all! I’m brand spakin’ new to this site this is my first post. I’ve recently become obessed with Chameleons and I’m trying to learn everything I can about them. I hope to get one soon (looking to get male Ambilobe Panther Chameleon
)! But before I buy a cham I wanted to build my own enclosure/vivarium for him. In doing some research I came across this video of an awesome custom enclosure/vivarium (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcIbzeCQ0R8) this guy built an extra-large vivarium and split it in two to house two panther chams. Its got a misting system, small desk fans for air circulation (half mesh half glass enclosure) and all the other necessities. I plan to build an enclosure to only house one but I love a lot of the ideas this guy had. One of which was a built in planter’s box so the whole floor of the enclosure was made of happy frog potting soil with growstone (http://www.growstone.com/) mixed in for aeration/drainage for the live plants. Now here come my questions.
- Now I know that using any type of substrate is frowned upon due to compaction but for those who use live plants, have you ever attempted a “whole potting soil floor”? Any issues you’ve come across? Did your Panthers ever eat dirt? (Sorry, I don’t mean to discriminate against other cham breeds! But I figured I’d get answers more related to the cham I want to get) Is it just a matter of watching your cham as he eats and not letting him eat things that will jump onto the enclosure floor or hand feeding him?
- Would it be okay to let cham waste remain on the potting soil and mix it in like a natural fertilizer? Is there things I should worry about (health, disease, odor, etc.)? My idea is to try and make the habitat as natural as possible.
- Any other questions that I should have asked but didn’t??


Like I said I’m brand new so any thoughts and words of wisdom is greatly appreciated. Also, sorry if this post is in the wrong area…please let me know if it is!
-Chop
- Now I know that using any type of substrate is frowned upon due to compaction but for those who use live plants, have you ever attempted a “whole potting soil floor”? Any issues you’ve come across? Did your Panthers ever eat dirt? (Sorry, I don’t mean to discriminate against other cham breeds! But I figured I’d get answers more related to the cham I want to get) Is it just a matter of watching your cham as he eats and not letting him eat things that will jump onto the enclosure floor or hand feeding him?
- Would it be okay to let cham waste remain on the potting soil and mix it in like a natural fertilizer? Is there things I should worry about (health, disease, odor, etc.)? My idea is to try and make the habitat as natural as possible.
- Any other questions that I should have asked but didn’t??
Like I said I’m brand new so any thoughts and words of wisdom is greatly appreciated. Also, sorry if this post is in the wrong area…please let me know if it is!
-Chop