Please help.

[FlyingPig07]

Guys a friend is trying to give me two young panther chameleons, I believe male was born 7/15/15 and female 7/21/15, I don't remember, I can find out exactl when I check on the tomorrow if it matters. He's traveling a lot for work, and I have been taking care of them past 2 weeks, but he's telling me if I Want them I can have them. I have enjoyed taking care of them and wanna take them but don't really know what I'd be getting myself into. Just want to make sure I can care for them properly.

Could abybody please advise me on, feeding, water(he has a simple drip bottle),vitamins and schedule, lighting, heating(night/day and bulbs). Sorry for all the questions, im trying to read as much as possible but see varying opinions, and don't know enough to tell difference in good info and bull. Really just any information you think I should know.

Also I have they're in 1: 18"x18"x30" screen cage

I read I would have to separate them, at a certain point and put male in a bigger cage. When would you recommend doing this.

 

[oneillchameleons]

THE SOONER YOU SEPARATE THEM THE BETTER. (Some people keep hatchlings together but should be separated by 2 months old)

GET A DIGITAL HUMIDITY GUAGE AND THERMOMETER

FEEDING: as much as they'll eat of varied, gutloaded insects until they are 6-7 months old, then reduce feeding to a few large feeders every other day or so.
KEEP IN MIND THAT FEMALES NEED A SPECIFIC SET OF RULES TO KEEP THEM HEALTHY (lower temps, less feeding) AND WILL ALSO LAY EGGS WITHOUT BEING BRED. FOR THIS REASON A LAYING BIN SHOULD BE PROVIDED AT ALL TIMES AFTER FIVE MONTHS OF AGE.

WATER: misting 2-3 times a day for one or two minutes + dripper
(Try to maintain 60-70% humidity for panthers)

SUPPLEMENTS: Pure calcium(no phosphorous or d3) at every feeding.
Calcium w/d3 every two weeks.
Multivitamin (preferably w/o d3) every two weeks (not same time as cal w/d3)

LIGHTING: Baskng bulb 12 hours on 12 off, with a temp of 85f for females, 90f for males. AMBIENT TEMPS OF 72-75f and NO NIGHT BULBS

UVB BULB (reptisun 5.0 or comparable) 12 on 12 off replaced every 6 months.
I also use a regular daylight fluorescent on my cages mainly to keep the live plants in good shape. It apparently also helps with the light spectrum.

As adults they should be housed in at least a 24"x24"x48" full screen cage. You can cover a side or two in plastic I'd if you have a humidity issue.

All in all chameleons have been the most rewarding reptile I've worked with. They have distinct personalities, and if you take the time and effort to take care of them, they are well worth the money to see them thrive.

 

[FlyingPig07]

Thanks for the reply, and all the info it's greatly appreciated..

I am going to be getting another cage ASAP, if I do take them. Would 28x28x48 cage be too large for the male at his current size? I attached pic I took of him a couple of days ago.

 

[oneillchameleons]

It will likely be too big for him until he is four or five months. However you can buy it now and use some rigid plastic or waterproof wood to split the cage and create a smaller living space until he needs the full cage. Before anything else you'll also want to set up a drainage system for excess water in both cages.

 

[FlyingPig07]

Thanks for all your help, can't tell you how much I appreciate it. After talking to you I think I'm gonna wind up bringing them home tonight. I've started to like them and they're not being taken care of properly over there.

If I think they're too much for me to take care of, if you'd be interested in taking them, all I'd ask is that you pay shipping. I'm gonna give it a shot for a little while though, I've kinda started to like the little guys.

And on drain system he has it dripping into moss that's sitting in a dish, and has me change the moss out once a week.
I've thought about planting a live plant in the zoo medic dripper system like he has and the running the drip to a pot outside cage.

How to drain for misting I don't know yet any idea would help. And do you recommend an auto mister?

 

[jannb]

You have received some good info above. I just wanted to welcome you to the forums and provide you with some additional reading to keep those little babies healthy and happy.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...-keepers-young-veiled-panther-chameleons.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/chameleons/

 

[FlyingPig07]

Thanks for the links I'll be reading them over the weekend. I really appreciate both of y'all's help. Thank you.