New Panther Chameleon is Dark

[rittern]

Hello everyone,

Yesterday I got my first panther chameleon. He was shipped overnight Friday and we got him Saturday. I'm concerned that he's spent almost all his time with us a brown color. When we first unpacked him he was a black color which I expected since being shipped is a stressful experience). As he got used to his new digs he became a uniform brown color, and mostly hangs out in the basking area. My question is: do I need to be concerned? I know they turn darker when they bask but it just seems like he spends all his time doing so. Would a hotter/higher wattage bulb be necessary? Here are the parameters:

Chameleon Info:

• Your Chameleon - 3 month old male Panther chameleon. Arrived yesterday.
• Handling - He was handled regularly at the breeders, but we haven't tried yet (wanting to let him settle in)
• Feeding - He is eating well, eats 15 gut loaded and calcium dusted crickets per day.
• Supplements - Calcium without d3 5x/week, calcium with d3 1-2x/week, multivitamin 1x/every other week
• Watering - We have a mistking system. Out schedule is as follows: 2 min @ 6:30 am, 1 min @ 9 am, 1 min @ 11 am, 1 min @ 1 pm, 1 min @ 3 pm, 1 min @ 5 pm. We have seen him drinking. It seems like a lot of misting but out house is bone dry and its hard to keep humidity up.
• Fecal Description - Havent seen any yet
• History - Arrived yeserday!

Cage Info:

• Cage Type - Aluminum screen cage, 16x16x30
• Lighting - 12 hours on 12 hours off. For UVB we use a reptisun 5.0, and for heat we have a 50w basking bulb.
• Temperature - Basking temp is ~80, drops off to ~70 in the bottom parts of the cage. Lowest overnight is 65.
• Humidity - We have two humidity meters, it tends to stay around 50. Can't seem to get it higher than that even with frequent misting.
• Plants - Two live pothos.
• Placement - In our bedroom, on a desk. We live in a noisy house so the bedroom is the quietest place.
• Location - VA, USA

Current Problem - Do I need a higher wattage bulb?

 

[rittern]

Here are some photos of the setup and the chameleon himself.

 

[CJ's Exotics]

I would get a bit more foliage for him to hide in. Give him a couple days, and if this color stays, post again, as he seems to be stressed.

 

[rittern]

Thank you! I was planning on going as soon as shops open for the day. I'm sure I would be stressed if I was shipped in a box half way across the coast, too. In your opinion, do I need a higher wattage bulb as well? Or leave it where it's at for now and let him settle in?

 

[timw1]

Thank you! I was planning on going as soon as shops open for the day. I'm sure I would be stressed if I was shipped in a box half way across the coast, too. In your opinion, do I need a higher wattage bulb as well? Or leave it where it's at for now and let him settle in?

If you want to raise the basking temp you will need a higher wattage bulb or move his basking spot closer to the source, but not too close. You should be looking at the temp of the basking spot, 85-90 is ideal and adjust accordingly. I use a 100w bulb for basking. I use a dimmer switch to regulate the temp. How are you measuring the temp at the basking spot? From experience I know those gauges on the back of your enclosure are not very accurate. You need a probe on the basking spot or check with a digital laser infrared thermometer.

 

[rittern]

Thanks for the info! I was reading that 85-90 is more for adults than juveniles, and that the younger ones should be kept with a basking spot around 80. Is that incorrect? Yes I expect those gauges to be a little less than accurate, I have a kitchen infrared thermometer that I use to get a more exact reading, but those gauges for a general "gist".

 

[timw1]

As stated above you need more foliage in there and more vines. Give him more options and he will find his perfect basking spot that he likes. When I first got my guy he stayed dark for about a month, except for when he slept.

 

[rittern]

I'll be sure to do that, thanks very much for the help!

 

[CJ's Exotics]

Thanks for the info! I was reading that 85-90 is more for adults than juveniles, and that the younger ones should be kept with a basking spot around 80. Is that incorrect? Yes I expect those gauges to be a little less than accurate, I have a kitchen infrared thermometer that I use to get a more exact reading, but those gauges for a general "gist".

Babies should be at 80ish, and adults more mid 80s to 90s. As stated above, the gauges might not be accurate, but I like your idea to be "the gist" as that would be good to get a general idea, and if something looks wrong to use the infrared. All you need is more foliage, and your set! Happy Chameleon Keeping!!!

 

[rittern]

Babies should be at 80ish, and adults more mid 80s to 90s. As stated above, the gauges might not be accurate, but I like your idea to be "the gist" as that would be good to get a general idea, and if something looks wrong to use the infrared. All you need is more foliage, and your set! Happy Chameleon Keeping!!!

New setup with some more vines and plants, also upped the wattage to 75, if it gets too warm I will move back down to the 50, thanks for your reply!

 

[CJ's Exotics]

Looks great! Move one of the vines closer to the bottom higher up so he/she can get more UVB exposure.

 

[rittern]

Looks great! Move one of the vines closer to the bottom higher up so he/she can get more UVB exposure.

I was just afraid of him burning himself, was under the impression 8” should be left from the top?

 

[CJ's Exotics]

I was just afraid of him burning himself, was under the impression 8” should be left from the top?

That looks like more than 8".

 

[rittern]

That looks like more than 8".

It is 8”, thanks

 

[CJ's Exotics]

It is 8”, thanks

Can I see a picture please?

 

[CJ's Exotics]

Sorry, it was the angle, your enclosure looks amazing!

 

[ahood]

My baby did this in the beginning. I assumed it was because he wasn't yet comfortable. As I interacted with him more and he settled in, he stopped showing any brown after a month.

 

[rittern]

Sorry, it was the angle, your enclosure looks amazing!

I have kept the 75 watt bulb in at that distance to the top of the cage, how do I know if it is too warm? I can hold my hand at the perch site for an extended period of time, is that sufficient?

 

[CJ's Exotics]

I have kept the 75 watt bulb in at that distance to the top of the cage, how do I know if it is too warm? I can hold my hand at the perch site for an extended period of time, is that sufficient?

Use a thermometer, 160 w or even 75 w is extremely high, it could even be over 100 degrees if you are not careful.

 

[rittern]

Use a thermometer, 160 w or even 75 w is extremely high, it could even be over 100 degrees if you are not careful.

I got an infrared thermometer, the 60 watt bulb is too low and the 75 watt bulb is too high, I got a dimmer for the 75 watt and will try that