Im new to panthers - would like u 2 check my set up & plans for the future please :)

[ben7ani]

I’ve had experience with crested geckos, giant Madagascan day geckos and now I have got a male panther chameleon, I understand they also come from Madagascar so keeping up the right environment is no problem at all. I’m guessing my panther is maybe 3-4 weeks old he is currently around 6cm in length (head to tail). Now I have done plenty of research and seen many varied opinions on what’s best for chameleons in terms of husbandry. I just wanted to see if what I have installed for my new arrival is ok for a few months until he is ready to go in his proper viv.

Set up

The current set up which he is currently housed in conists of a 30cm (w) x 30cm (d) x 45cm (h), glass exo terra viv with a screen top and also a 26W exo terra 5% UVB compact bulb. I’ve heard compact bulbs cause eye problems, but Ideally I would like to use just for a few months while my juvenile grows because there is no point me purchasing a small strip for such a short period of time as chameleons grow so rapidly. Then I would purchase a strip bulb for my larger viv for the long term future of my chameleon. Is this ok?? The 26W 5% UVB compact bulb currently keeps ambient temperatures around 26°C and I’m guessing the basking spot will probably be around 30°C under the UVB bulb. It also consists of 2 artificial hanging plants, a small exo terra waterfall to provide drinking water and help keep the humidity up. From what I have seen the humidity peaks around 80% and slowly drops to about 40% before it’s re-misted later in the day. It also consists of 1 vine curled up around the viv and a small artificial plant at the bottom. I am also planning to install my lucky reptile super rain system with one nozzle, don’t panic, I know it’s a small viv but to combat over watering it, it will come on 3 times a day for about 10-15secs each time. Is this a good idea? It would help me out a lot.

Plans for the future set up

I also have another exo terra glass viv (60cm (w) x 45cm (d) x 60cm (h)) which I am planning to move my male into after about 3-4months once he has grown a bit larger. I have heard mixed views regarding glass cages compared to screens because chameleons require good air circulation but I can guarantee there will be good circulation in that viv if I manage to set it up correctly. If the air does become stagnant which I should notice quite quickly, then I will be installing a fan on a timer. Now as regards to lighting and heating I will be using a 100W ceramic bulb for the basking area and hopefully a 5% UVB strip bulb(s) for the day-night cycle because I here compact bulbs cause eye problems... is this actually true? There will be my super rain system with 2 nozzles coming on for about 30 seconds 3-4 times a day to keep humidity up and also keep the live plants watered.

Concerns for my juvenile:

The panther chameleon I picked out from the shop was the biggest of the bunch and I witnessed him catch a small locust in the shop while I was there which was nice to see. He has slight shades of green across his head and along parts of his back, with very slight shades of red across parts of his belly but predominantly he was a pale colour. He looked healthy from what I could tell, eyes were scanning the environment no signs of MBD and very active when handled and also exploring in the viv. Now since I got him home he looks to of darkened in colour which I kind of expected due to stress from travel, being handled etc. When I put him right up in front of the bulb though he paled out slightly after about 30seconds or so... could this be due to him being cold?? I then left him for 9hours while I went to work, I came home to him again being a little dark in comparison to the shop, but when I picked him up and moved him up by the bulb again he brightened up ever so slightly. Is this ok? I have only had him a day at the moment so probably just stressing out because Im being impatient but chameleons can go downhill quickly so I want to make sure everything is ok in regards to my set up and plans for the future? I just want to give him the best life I can really. If he does stress out what means and actions can I take to solve it??

Feeding

I’m going to feed him locusts as a staple diet and dust them every feed with calcium & D3 (Nutrobal for all you out there that know your brands) while he is growing from juvenile to adult size. Is this recommended? Or shall I dust with just calcium every feed and calcium with D3 every other feed or even on a weekly basis.

Right I’ve waffled on a bit, but I would really appreciate your help if you have kept panther chameleon’s successfully so look forward to hearing back from you soon.

Thanks,
Ben

 

[thechameleon]

Hi
I think you should not use glass vic because male chameleons tend to get stressed by their own reflection. They will think that another chameleon will come and fight them. And because he stays in the viv he has nowhere to run away. So he will probably get stressed to death.it is better for you to buy a screened cage just to play safe. Good luck with your chameleon though

 

[WinstonChrchll]

First off, It's GREAT that you have taken the time to go over your husbandry in order to provide your cham with a better experience. So heres my two cents:
1) For the light I would just play it safe and get he linear tube. Although they say that now the new compact bulbs are safe, most here will tell you to get the linear bulb so you have a guarantee its good for your cham.

2)The enclosure itself is just fine, many people on here will tell you that glass is a big no, but for his size and depending on your climate (if you are in europe, more people use glass vivs rather than screen) he will be fine. For his adult cage however, id try to get a screen cage, because he may get territorial with his own reflection and you get a 0% chance of it becoming stagnant. Take out the waterfall as well, they don't recognize it as drinking water and it just becomes a hub for bacteria. He's gonna need lots of climbing branches and vines, and they should be placed so he can adjust his temp and uvb exposure accordingly.

3) Stress is very normal for a chameleon in a new environment. Just give him his space and leave him be. Make sure he can get to a good basking spot as well.

4) Dusting shouldn't be heavy. Cal w/ d3 should be done about once a week to at the minimum a few times a month since they can actually overdose on it. Regular calcium at feedings is fine, and you will also want to give him a multivitamin at least twice a month. Making a schedule will help you out here tremendously. Try not to dust different powders on the same day (Ive heard you shouldn't although I could be wrong.)

Hes gonna be fine, as you are giving him all the care and attention he needs! Good luck and post pics very soon!

 

[serenitystarlite]

The reflection thing is a myth. A lot of people in the UK use glass and their chameleons aren't stressed out or dead from seeing their reflections. I prefer screen, but it depends on your climate and this cage is fine for a small baby.

I would also suggest getting rid of the waterfall and getting a linear bulb. Baby's eyes are more sensitive as they're developing and growing, so I wouldn't chance it by using a coil bulb.

Do you have a digital thermometer/hygrometer?

 

[ben7ani]

yes i have a digital thermometer and hygrometer installed and they are currently displaying 65% humidity and 25.6°C. Also should chameleons be constantly exploring the viv or is it quite normal for them to perch on a brach for up to an hour at a time without moving that much? Then he will go and find somewhere else and repeat the process (eyes scanning about). I also havn't witnessed him eating any bugs yet, although like I said earlier he is probably still becoming accustomed to his surroundings as he's only been here just over a day now, this is what I have seen so far.

 

[ben7ani]

I am planning on buying a big 'ish' plant to put next to my viv for decoration, but when he grows and becomes big enough is ok to turn my spot light around and direct it at the plant which will allow him to climb all over it whilst im in my room. This will give him a chance to get out and move around on something a little bigger, with added freedom.

 

[thechameleon]

The reflection thing is a myth. A lot of people in the UK use glass and their chameleons aren't stressed out or dead from seeing their reflections. I prefer screen, but it depends on your climate and this cage is fine for a small baby.

I would also suggest getting rid of the waterfall and getting a linear bulb. Baby's eyes are more sensitive as they're developing and growing, so I wouldn't chance it by using a coil bulb.

Do you have a digital thermometer/hygrometer?

sorry for the false information, i guess i need to learn more about chameleons

 

[ben7ani]

hehe no problem 'thechameleon' thanks for the reply! nice to know are helpful people on here, gives me a lot of confidence for the future! Can talk to owners rather than just shop keepers. I just saw him catch 2 locusts day which had been dusted this morning so im very happy

 

[Texas Panther Man]

Congrats on the new cham.
1. Ditch the compact florescent bulb. I pesonally wouldnt take a chance damaging my chams eyes.
2. Get a 60 watt incandescent household bulb for his basking site.
3. Dust with Cal WITHOUT D3 at every feeding
4. Dust with Cal With D3 twice monthly(ie every other Sunday)
5. Dust twice monthly with a multi vitamin

You want his basking site right under the bulb to be around 82-83 degrees fah. I dont know celcius temps sorry. An exo terra is fine til he gets to be about 4-5 months old. Then he needs his adult screen cage of about 2ft by 4ft.

 

[ben7ani]

ive got an exo terra viv... would i literraly sit the tube along the top with no reflecter or just make one myself with a few mirrors.