Plans for a Panther Cham, first time setup ?'s

[smashism]

So I am going to take the plunge into getting a Male Panther Chameleon. I've been doing the research for a while now, and I want the setup to be fully prepared before I even begin to select one.
I want to get a Male Panther because I figure if I can't handle the guy alot he might as well be super flashy and big. Not to mention they look amazing. There seem to be plenty of breeders in my immediate area too.

So I decided with my first purchase I would go ahead and get the cage first.
This seems to work for when he is full grown, am I correct?

I read that it would be too big for a young chameleon. Could I just take some extra screen material from home depot and temporarily hot glue a partition to make it smaller? Then, I would be putting the lights at a slight angle from the outsides.

Next step, plants and lights, but I'll take it one step at a time.

Oh any locals have anything nice ready in a month or two?

Thanks for the help, I'm still exploring my options.

 

[naich]

hello and welcome to the panther chameleon addiction,lol.

here are a load of links for you to look at....plus some advise.

http://screameleons.com/setup_kit.htm this can be his juvi cage and suet him till he is around 8 or 9 inches...then switch to that lllreptile one. I also recomend you buy your chameleon from there...i did and almost a month later hes doing great.

As for plants check out this places plant database. Some safe ones are the dwarf umbrella tree, photos(be 100% sure it isnt a philidendrian), and a ficus benjaminia...all can be found at a nursery of home depo/lowes.

Good luck!

 

[smashism]

Thanks for the advice, but that didn't answer my question about a temporary partition.

Also, why would I ship a cham from the east coast when I have plenty of great breeders readily available locally?

 

[NewOwner]

Well, for a first cage, uhmm Depends on the age... ive heard lots of people reccomend to me a 24 x 24 x 48 for my 5 month veiled... Might be differant for a panther chameleon...

I would reccomend the 24 x 24 x 48

Ive got a question...
What chameleon are you getting? (Sambava, nosy be, ambilobe, Etc.)

Thanks

 

[NewOwner]

WELCOME TO THE FORUMS




-Levi

 

[naich]

well the strees level for a young cham to be shipped over night with a heat pack is the same as taking him out of his cage and being in a car for an hour during the day....the cham sleeps through the night...insteed of being awak during the transition points....just giving advise...and a good name that everuyone trust....i mean thats why you joined this forum....right?

 

[smashism]

well the strees level for a young cham to be shipped over night with a heat pack is the same as taking him out of his cage and being in a car for an hour during the day....the cham sleeps through the night...insteed of being awak during the transition points....just giving advise...and a good name that everuyone trust....i mean thats why you joined this forum....right?

Don't get defensive, I was just trying to get my main points answered. The point is less about stress and more about paying $70 shipping. Please stop derailing this thread. I had main questions I was hoping to get answered and you didn't really answer any, just offer some slightly random advice.

Well, for a first cage, uhmm Depends on the age... ive heard lots of people reccomend to me a 24 x 24 x 48 for my 5 month veiled... Might be differant for a panther chameleon...

I would reccomend the 24 x 24 x 48

Ive got a question...
What chameleon are you getting? (Sambava, nosy be, ambilobe, Etc.)

Thanks

Not sure yet which kind. I'm pretty partial to the nosy be's and ambilobes. I'm not so picky about the pattern, as long as it's visually appealing and the little guy is healthy.

 

[Syn]

I love Nosy Be's! Don't put the lights at an angle - I know you said SLIGHT, but even that can throw a chameleon off.. try to get it pointing straight down at the cage and not off to the side.

 

[sandrachameleon]

Partitioning a larger cage into a smaller cage while the chameleon is young is not a problem. It is done all the time. It helps ensure a young one can find food. Some use screen, some use corogated foam board, wood, etc.

Having lights on a slight angle or diagnoally on the top of the cage is not a problem.

 

[Syn]

Having lights on a slight angle or diagnoally on the top of the cage is not a problem.

I remember hearing once that they should normally be on top and not off to the sides?

 

[sandrachameleon]

I remember hearing once that they should normally be on top and not off to the sides?

Right, the lights should be on top of the cage. But whether the lights are on the left of the top, the right of the top, the front of the top, the back of the top, corner to corner on top doesnt matter. So long as there is a place to bask, a place to get out of the light, placement on top of the cage doesnt matter - so long as the lights are on top of the cage.

I wonder if I've confused this more than helped it!? LOL

 

[smashism]

Right, the lights should be on top of the cage. But whether the lights are on the left of the top, the right of the top, the front of the top, the back of the top, corner to corner on top doesnt matter. So long as there is a place to bask, a place to get out of the light, placement on top of the cage doesnt matter - so long as the lights are on top of the cage.

I wonder if I've confused this more than helped it!? LOL

No that makes sense. If there is a partition built into the cage, I would have to attach the lights from the outside on the side. It would still be at a high sunlike angle, just not exactly overhead like an afternoon sun.

Any answers for my partition question? I am sure it has been done, but I want to double check.