Need advice on my setup

[Crewdogg15]

Is this setup good for an adult Panther? The people at the reptile store said yes but I am starting to second guess myself. I have an adult ordered and will get it later this week. What are your thoughts on the space and decor. My light is good/ i bought the best.

 

[BeBoSON]

Hey, welcome to the forums.

It looks good but you should add some live plants being that they hold water on the leaves and that will help maintain humidity, also its how they drink.
I would also get rid of the substrate, with the temp in the enclosure and the mistings it will reproduce bacteria. They also have been known to consume it.
I noticed you have a basking light on top of the enclosure. Do you also have a UVB bulb?

 

[chendy]

i think beboson pretty much covered all that i noticed as well
uvb and a basking bulb(40w)
substrate is sketchy
i like to use half dollar size river rocks. im pretty sure that they could pick one of those up by accident

 

[Crewdogg15]

Thanks. The light is a uv bulb. I forget the wattage. I payed 70 bucks for just the bulb. Guaranteed for 1 year! You think they will eat it? Even if its on the bottom?

 

[BeBoSON]

Thanks. The light is a uv bulb. I forget the wattage. I payed 70 bucks for just the bulb. Guaranteed for 1 year! You think they will eat it? Even if its on the bottom?

Nice. Well say if there is a cricket roaming in it, he goes to eat it he will grab the cricket along with some substrate.

 

[Crewdogg15]

I guess that makes sense. Also, is my size good? Or do u think it will stress him out?

 

[BeBoSON]

What are the dimensions of the cage?

Also, once you add a live plant he will have more "Hiding places". Which will reduce stress.

 

[lindawaz]

UV is ultra violet not what they need- they Need UBV to create sunshine
very necessary for your chams health. They usually are replace after 6 months

 

[carol5208]

you could also use way more branches and vines-things for him to crawl around on-up and down back and forth. Smaller ones that his feet can grip around. What kind of UVB bulb is that? I mean the brand and all the specs. It might be the incorrect bulb to use for a chameleon. I am leary if the pet store sold you it. I know it is a reptile store, but I have seen things incorrect in their set ups and lighting too unfortunately. What are you using for a basking bulb? Is that a combo uva/uvb?

 

[Crewdogg15]

Bulb is Zoo Med Lab 100watt uv

 

[Crewdogg15]

It says Power Sun also

 

[carol5208]

ok so that is one of those uva/uvb bulbs. A mercury vapor one? I don't know anything about these as far as how well they work for chameleons. Most of us use the Zoomed Reptisun 5.0 for uvb and then a ordinary housebulb for basking. Not saying what you have is bad, just have no experience with it, so cannot comment. Just wanted to make sure you were not using a desert series bulb or something that might be too strong for your cham. hopefully someone can answer for you on the powersun as far as it being a good bulb for your chameleon.

 

[Chester222]

you will need to upgrade to a bigger cage when he's an adult, minimum of 2x2x4. also, you should invest in a mistking system, they are great and relieve you of having to mist 5 times per day. as others said, more vines, no substrate. good luck!

 

[Crewdogg15]

He is gonna be an adult...so what do u think...?

 

[Chester222]

maybe that cage is fine temporarily, but you will NEED to upgrade to a bigger cage soon, if you want him to be happy.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

Here are pics of two of my cages, and I've actually redone them since then to make more highways.

Lots of branches and foliage makes it easy for them to get around and feel protected, both of which make it easier to see your cham! On the top right is my adult panther. This is an 18x18x36" tall cage. If it's any smaller than that size for an adult veiled or panther then it is too small unfortunately. I don't really think mine is big enough for my panther, which is why he has a huge outdoor cage as well.

The substrate you have in there currently should be removed. Chameleons are tree dwellers so substrate really serves no purpose other than harboring bacteria and mold and allowing your cham to accidentally ingest it while trying to shoot at bugs.

What are your temperatures at the top of the cage with that bulb?

 

[Escalade]

I think the cage is way to small, also did you check the temp under the basking spot? I have a powersun and it gets very hot, it seems like you have it too close.

 

[Crewdogg15]

The dimensions are like 24 icnhes tall and like 18 wide. I got rid of the substrate. I think if I got a bigger cage I would rid myself of the light problem. Nice setup. My question is if chameleons could get sick from eating soil, then why do people have live plants? Thats soil as well. A cricket could jump in it. I guess I will use this cage for some veiled chamelions at some point.

 

[Escalade]

The dimensions are like 24 icnhes tall and like 18 wide. I got rid of the substrate. I think if I got a bigger cage I would rid myself of the light problem. Nice setup. My question is if chameleons could get sick from eating soil, then why do people have live plants? Thats soil as well. A cricket could jump in it. I guess I will use this cage for some veiled chamelions at some point.

Most people put river rocks over the plant soil. I myself use paper towels.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

My question is if chameleons could get sick from eating soil, then why do people have live plants? Thats soil as well.

Very true! Some people cover theirs with large rocks and I personally use screen cut to the shape of the pot and plant so it covers all the soil and isn't very noticeable. So even with live plants you should restrict their access to the soil because of that problem.