It begins...

[slowfoot]

Yes, I bought a cham, a male panther Now I'm working on his cages. He's going to have a large outdoor cage and a smaller (but nicer looking) indoor cage.

For the outdoor cage, I wanted to build it as large as possible because that gives the cham more space to thermoregulate. Plus, it's just more fun. So I forced my husband to build a massive structure: 6' tall x 5' wide x 3' deep. It's Florida, so we had to assemble the sides in our spare bedroom due to the constant rain outside. Here's our workspace:



When we had all the pieces (and the weather looked like it might be good - 10% chance of rain), we moved it outside, assembled it, and added the wood stain:




(Yes, my house is pink.) A little hard to see, but in the front, there's a 2ft space along the bottom so the door opens above that. I wanted it big enough so I could step in if I had to. Obviously, it's not the most amazingly built thing, but it only has to last a couple of years before destruction (when we hopefully move out of Florida). The indoor cage will be built so we can take it apart and move it.

Of course, about 20 minutes after I finished staining, it started to pour and all the stain washed away

 

[Julirs]

Just make sure you use aluminum screening, not any type of mesh. Rats and other animals will eat through mesh in a hearbeat. They can actually eat through aluminum too, but seem to not want to put forth the effort.

Why would anyone want to move OUT of Florida?

 

[slowfoot]

Just make sure you use aluminum screening, not any type of mesh. Rats and other animals will eat through mesh in a hearbeat. They can actually eat through aluminum too, but seem to not want to put forth the effort.

I'm using hardware cloth (possibly with a layer of screening inside) because we live in a cat and rat infested neighborhood.

Why would anyone want to move OUT of Florida?

We're from California, which is a far superior state

 

[Gluuvan]

I'm using hardware cloth (possibly with a layer of screening inside) because we live in a cat and rat infested neighborhood.



We're from California, which is a far superior state

man lol thats harsh although i dont think we have had rain in SD for um 4 to 5 months now!!!

 

[vindicatedornot]

Oh wow, You're building a nice cage as well. I look foreward to an update on your progress. Thanks for the tips too. Yours looks fantastic!

-Andrea

 

[codiwatkins]

cool cage! BUT we want to see pic of the cham!!!

 

[slowfoot]

cool cage! BUT we want to see pic of the cham!!!

He hasn't arrived yet, but he'll be here soon

This cage is mostly done - I just need to attach some door hardware and set it in place. We have to use a brick base to support the wood because of the wet conditions here in FL. Normally, I would just sink the wood base into the soil, but that's not possible here.

We ended up going with just hardware cloth (instead of hardware cloth and screen) to keep costs lower. It looks like a big chicken coop right now (I'm sure that's what my neighbors think it is). I'll post up some pics after I've charged my camera.

Indoor cage construction is going well. It looks a bit more stylish. I'll post some pics of that too.

I'm so excited!

 

[BocaJan]

I can understand why you want to move from Florida. I'm hoping to do the same in a couple of years.

 

[slowfoot]

I can understand why you want to move from Florida. I'm hoping to do the same in a couple of years.

My list of top 10 reasons for wanting to leave Fl changes all the time. Right now, it looks like:

1. Mosquitoes
2. AC bill
3. Mosquitoes
4. Mosquitoes
5. The heat
6. The humidity
7. Mosquitoes
8. Strip malls
9. Mosquitoes
10. Mosquitoes



eta: Finally got my camera working, so here are some pictures of this thing. I think I've got the right spot picked out for it, but I'm going to have watch carefully to make sure it will get enough sun - my yard is very shady.

 

[Pure]

That is a nice and BIG cage! He should love it.

 

[writh]

My list of top 10 reasons for wanting to leave Fl changes all the time. Right now, it looks like:

1. Mosquitoes
2. AC bill
3. Mosquitoes
4. Mosquitoes
5. The heat
6. The humidity
7. Mosquitoes
8. Strip malls
9. Mosquitoes
10. Mosquitoes



eta: Finally got my camera working, so here are some pictures of this thing. I think I've got the right spot picked out for it, but I'm going to have watch carefully to make sure it will get enough sun - my yard is very shady.

View attachment 14707

View attachment 14708

If you move to northern AZ you wont have mosquitos nor humidity nor ac bills. some slight heat but its Ok you can turn up that ac since it wont cost you an arm and a leg. For it being the hottest time of the year its only in the mid 80s right now.

 

[hiihenry]

What a lucky boy he'll be!! I like the color of the wood too :]
I can't wait to see the finished product and the lucky cham himself!

we live in a cat and rat infested neighborhood.

I would make sure to provide a very hidden spot for him...maybe several. The cats may hang around the cage when you're not there (unless you don't plan to leave him alone) and the constant presence of a predator that he can't really get away from would probably stress him out a lot.
I have a kitten and I know how much she would love to be able to sit and stare at my chameleon all day (which she definitely is not allowed to do!)

 

[slowfoot]

I would make sure to provide a very hidden spot for him...maybe several. The cats may hang around the cage when you're not there (unless you don't plan to leave him alone) and the constant presence of a predator that he can't really get away from would probably stress him out a lot.
I have a kitten and I know how much she would love to be able to sit and stare at my chameleon all day (which she definitely is not allowed to do!)

Thanks! My yard actually has pretty dense foliage, so I'm pretty sure I'll be able to give him a good amount of visual cover.

Hmmm... So I've come across my first issue: the spot in the yard I had picked out contains a very large tree philodendron, which are pretty toxic if eaten. It's a beautiful plant that would fit inside the cage and would provide great cover for a cham, but I'm worried that he may try to take a bite.

How often do male panthers chew on leaves? I've had one before, and he never ate any but I don't know how common that is. I would just put the cage somewhere else but this is the perfect spot: near the water spigot, out of sight of the street, good morning sun (sun is hard to come by in my yard) and dappled shade at noon and mid-day. Can't really move the plant because it's huge and we're renters.

Any thoughts?

 

[Pure]

I've never had a panther so I can't say for sure. But for what it's worth I wouldn't risk putting it in there with him. If it's over him then just put some finer mesh on the top to keep leaves and such from falling into the cage.

 

[slowfoot]

I've never had a panther so I can't say for sure. But for what it's worth I wouldn't risk putting it in there with him. If it's over him then just put some finer mesh on the top to keep leaves and such from falling into the cage.

Well, there's no risk of it accidentally 'falling into' the cage - it looks like this (not a picture of mine, but exactly the same):



The real problem is it's right where I want the cage to go, of course, and it isn't possible to move it Aarrggh!

 

[slowfoot]

Actually, I take it back: this plant seems to be on the chameleon-safe list as 'split leaf' or 'cut leaf' philodendron. However, because there are no scientific names on the list I can't quite tell if this is the same plant. Google image tells me it's the same plant, but I don't know if I can trust the internet

 

[vindicatedornot]

Actually, I take it back: this plant seems to be on the chameleon-safe list as 'split leaf' or 'cut leaf' philodendron. However, because there are no scientific names on the list I can't quite tell if this is the same plant. Google image tells me it's the same plant, but I don't know if I can trust the internet

If it seems like the plant on the safe list I'd go ahead and use it. As long as you cham doesnt munch on plants I don't see how it could affect him (unless it leaks a type of sap or something)

 

[slowfoot]

Nevermind: it's a different plant. Google has failed me I'll pick up a little crepe myrtle at Home Depot today - not the best choice, but it's a good price and will last outside during the winter.

eta: I should note that the plant listed on the 'safe plant' list, Monstera deliciosa, is said to be highly toxic. So that's a little worrying.

 

[Pure]

I think you picked an excellent plant. I use crape branches for most non living setups. They are very branchy once they get a little larger.

The only thing you may have issues with in the future is the mess it's going to make dropping all the little flowers and buds.

 

[slowfoot]

I think you picked an excellent plant. I use crape branches for most non living setups. They are very branchy once they get a little larger.

The only thing you may have issues with in the future is the mess it's going to make dropping all the little flowers and buds.

It'll be outside, so it won't bother me too much

Here are some pics of the indoor cage. It's still a work in progress - missing the top and bottom - but it's coming along well. Obviously it's not as nice as some of the cages on here, but I like it:





I'll put it up off the ground once I figure out where it's going.