Is my setup and care for my panther chameleon ok?

[Cherry81]

Hi,
I have a nearly 6 months old male panther chameleon. I got him when he was 14 weeks old and so far he seems to be growing up nicely but I still have some questions!
I have seen that people fill out a form so other members have more info about setup etc, wheee can I find this form?
Thanks

 

[kplatvoet]

Welcome
It's in the Health section - a sticky called how to ask for help open the thread and cut and paste-
https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/

 

[Cherry81]

Chameleon Info:
Chameleon*- Male blue bar panther about 6 month old
How long has he been in your care? - 2.5 month
Handling - nearly daily for a few minutes, he likes sitting in living room plant and has a shower in the bath every now and then
Feeding*- around 20 small crickets in the morning which he eats over the day, a couple of small locusts in the afternoon. Tried mealworms but he won't touch them. Will try standard sized crickets soon
Supplements*- Habistat natural calcium without d3 daily, Habistat reptavite vitamins and minerals once a week
Watering*- I mist with spraybottle 3 times a day until plants are all dripping, viv also has a dripper. Jonny sometimes licks vines and leaves. I also spray water on his mouth which he enjoys drinking
Fecal Description*- dark brownish solid with white orangey tip
. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites? - no
History*- bought from reptile shop when he was 14 weeks old

.Cage Info:
Cage Type*- vivexotic wooden arboreal viv with glass slide doors and mesh bit on top to rest basking light on
What are the dimensions? - width 2ft (60cm), depth 1.5ft (50cm), height 3ft (92cm). Top of viv is 5ft2 (156cm) from floor
Lighting*- 75w basking light and 5.0 uvb light both on from 7.30am until 8.30pm. Will shorten time an hour for winter
Temperature*- 85f (30celsius) in basking spot, 70f (20celsius) bottom of viv. Overnight temp 65f (18celsius). Using a digital thermometer with 2 sensors, one in basking spot, one near bottom.
Humidity*- between 60% up to 90% when just misted. Hand misting 3 times a day. Measured with digital hygrometer
Plants*- 1 ficus and hanging pothos, some artificial vines and some twigs
Placement*- the viv in in the corner of living room near a window. Doesnt affect noise or drafts as window is shut
Location*- Axminster, southwest of England

I have a few questions
- how much should I feed Jonny? Do I feed him less at some point?
- is my setup ok?
- even though he drinks his pee is orangey?
- is it normal that he is green grey in his viv and is colourful when handled?
- can I put a heatmat on back of wooden viv from outside to maintaim a good overnight temperature in winter?

Thanks!
Kerstin

 

[Cherry81]

Here a pic of his setup

 

[ZiggyStardust]

Hi Cherry, welcome to the forums.

Can't see your pics unfortunately.

Your set up seems ok to me, as is your level of feeding.

The fact that he is darker colours in his viv than when you have him out is normal. Brighter colours can mean that he is a bit stressed out, or on "high alert" as he is out of his comfort zone, so there might be a predator about.

Forget the heatmat. Completely. I am in the UK as well and you only need heat at night if the temperature falls below about 55 degrees. If it does, then get a ceramic heat bulb (gives off heat but not light.)

Hope this helps.

 

[ZiggyStardust]

Sorry but forgot to say.... maybe cut the handling back to about once a week instead of once a day.... chameleons are really not happy with frequent handling, it can stress them out big time, so only get him out minimally, if at all.

 

[Cherry81]

Hi ziggy
Thanks for your advice! Ok will cut the handling back evem though most of the times he is happy to come on my hand.
What kind of viv have you got for your cham?