Daesie11
Chameleon Enthusiast
Hello all,
I am new to the forums and wanted to thank everyone in advance for their help. I've been reading through the forums for awhile as I prepare myself for owning a chameleon, but now as the time grows near that I will actually be getting one I thought I should seek out any advice you may be able to provide me.
I've been gathering supplies for my enclosure for close to a year now, so I dont have a picture of the full set up just yet as it is still in pieces, but I will be sure to add some pictures as soon as I have everything up and running!
The cham: I will be getting an abibole panther male, roughly 3-4 months old.
The enclosure: I have an 18x18x36 screen enclosure. Because I am in Colorado I know I have the humidity issue to fight against, because of this I did get plexiglas sheets fitted for the enclosure which I have attached with velcro, so on particularly warm and more humid days I can remove them to get some good air flow in the enclosure. I also have a mist king automated mister which I will set up to mist twice a day with additional manual misting as needed. I have a small pothos plant which I have been growing to hang in the enclosure to provide humidity and a hiding space, and i plan to also get a tall schefflera plant as well. I have several perches and branches to place across the enclosure to provide several different levels of basking spots and will also have some artificial plants in there to provide plenty of hiding places.
The lighting: this is the one thing I have not purchased yet as I know it is the most important and I want to do it right! I have read around that a linear bulb is the best way to go, and I was wondering what everyone's preferences are? Will the zoomed lights and hoods be sufficient for now until I upgrade to a larger enclosure when he gets a bit bigger? And what sizes should I get for my size enclosure? And for a heat bulb, what type of bulb should I get?
The feeding: I've read that at his age they will be eating anywhere from 10-15 1/4' crickets per day, but to pretty much let them eat as much as they want as they are growing fast. I was planning on cup feeding for now until he is big enough to be able to wander the entire enclosure efficiently enough to hunt. Of course I will be sure to gut load my feeders a variety of foods before feeding as well!
I think I have covered most everything. I will be sure to attach a picture of my enclosure fully built soon! Please if anyone has anything to add that I should be doing that I missed I would love some feedback. I want to make sure I am completely educated and ready for my new baby before he gets here!
I am new to the forums and wanted to thank everyone in advance for their help. I've been reading through the forums for awhile as I prepare myself for owning a chameleon, but now as the time grows near that I will actually be getting one I thought I should seek out any advice you may be able to provide me.
I've been gathering supplies for my enclosure for close to a year now, so I dont have a picture of the full set up just yet as it is still in pieces, but I will be sure to add some pictures as soon as I have everything up and running!
The cham: I will be getting an abibole panther male, roughly 3-4 months old.
The enclosure: I have an 18x18x36 screen enclosure. Because I am in Colorado I know I have the humidity issue to fight against, because of this I did get plexiglas sheets fitted for the enclosure which I have attached with velcro, so on particularly warm and more humid days I can remove them to get some good air flow in the enclosure. I also have a mist king automated mister which I will set up to mist twice a day with additional manual misting as needed. I have a small pothos plant which I have been growing to hang in the enclosure to provide humidity and a hiding space, and i plan to also get a tall schefflera plant as well. I have several perches and branches to place across the enclosure to provide several different levels of basking spots and will also have some artificial plants in there to provide plenty of hiding places.
The lighting: this is the one thing I have not purchased yet as I know it is the most important and I want to do it right! I have read around that a linear bulb is the best way to go, and I was wondering what everyone's preferences are? Will the zoomed lights and hoods be sufficient for now until I upgrade to a larger enclosure when he gets a bit bigger? And what sizes should I get for my size enclosure? And for a heat bulb, what type of bulb should I get?
The feeding: I've read that at his age they will be eating anywhere from 10-15 1/4' crickets per day, but to pretty much let them eat as much as they want as they are growing fast. I was planning on cup feeding for now until he is big enough to be able to wander the entire enclosure efficiently enough to hunt. Of course I will be sure to gut load my feeders a variety of foods before feeding as well!
I think I have covered most everything. I will be sure to attach a picture of my enclosure fully built soon! Please if anyone has anything to add that I should be doing that I missed I would love some feedback. I want to make sure I am completely educated and ready for my new baby before he gets here!