Question on Baby Panther

[mbondy]

Hi there, just brought home a 4 month old Panther Chameleon. He's absolutely adorable and very friendly but he fell twice today while exploring. I'm thinking maybe he got nervous with me fixing the branches and lost his step?? He is absolutely fine and climbing as I speak, but is this normal behavior? Any info would be helpful, he's a great little guy and tiny! He has branches which fit quite perfectly...a baby umbrella plant and hibiscus, with small branches around the enclosure.

Also one more, what is your opinion with keeping crickets? Is better/easier to house them at your house or buy from a pet store daily?

Thanks!

 

[carol5208]

Well if they are nervous or scared they might move too quickly and fall. Just keep an eye on him and make sure it does not continue to happen for there could be a possible problem then. Definitely house your own crickets. you can buy in bulk from places on the internet, Ghanns cricket farm ships all over. The pet stores do not gutload their crickets with much more than potatoes or water cubes. Not very good gutload. You keep your own and then you can gutload them well with fresh fruits and vegetables. Much healthier for your chameleon. Also way cheaper to buy a large quantity.

 

[mbondy]

Thank you! So far he hasn't had any other problems. He He's resting on a branch and close to asleep. I've never had a baby panther, so I'm more worried then I may usually be, rather be safe.

Thank you on the idea for the crickets, I'm planning on buying some from the pet store tomorrow for a few days worth and ordering online.

 

[carol5208]

do you turn your lights off at night for him? If not, you should, and the room should be dark also if possible.

 

[mbondy]

Yes of course, all lights are off by 8:30pm and on by 7am, should he have a solid 12 hours or is 11 and a half fine? He is also getting all his feed dusted with calcium and d3.

 

[carol5208]

yes, that is good. I just thought when you said he was getting ready to sleep you were watching him with the lights on. My chameleon will not sleep unless I cover his cage. He will sit there wide awake for hours if there is a light on in the room!!! You have the three supplements, cal w/d3 cal/without and a multivitamin right?

 

[carol5208]

Yes of course, all lights are off by 8:30pm and on by 7am, should he have a solid 12 hours or is 11 and a half fine? He is also getting all his feed dusted with calcium and d3.

you are doiing 13 1/2 hours by my calculations! 12 on 12 off is the standard and 10 on 14 off when winter comes and days get shorter.

 

[mbondy]

Yes I have all 3 and typo...8:00 to 7:00, I mixed his and his breeders times mixed up! I had his lights off but a lamp in my room on. He doesn't seem to mind some light, I did turn everything off shortly after I checked on him last.

 

[seanUTD]

yes, that is good. I just thought when you said he was getting ready to sleep you were watching him with the lights on. My chameleon will not sleep unless I cover his cage. He will sit there wide awake for hours if there is a light on in the room!!! You have the three supplements, cal w/d3 cal/without and a multivitamin right?

Hey Carol I tried to ask in another thread... What do you use to cover your cage... Im worried about cutting off air flow and making it too hot for night... He sleeps just fine as SOON as the lights go out I just know he likes it cool (he moves to where he can feel the breeze from the fan) but as a college student my room is ALWAYS busy and I feel terrible waking him up and getting those "I will set you on fire" eyes

 

[melric]

Cover him with a sheet. I'm sure he will be fine as long as your night time temps drop.

 

[carol5208]

Hey Carol I tried to ask in another thread... What do you use to cover your cage... Im worried about cutting off air flow and making it too hot for night... He sleeps just fine as SOON as the lights go out I just know he likes it cool (he moves to where he can feel the breeze from the fan) but as a college student my room is ALWAYS busy and I feel terrible waking him up and getting those "I will set you on fire" eyes

I actually use a blanket and cover three sides. The back is up against the wall and I do not cover the top. I run my AC all day and night and my house is decently cool. I have to cover the cage cause I have a bird in the room and I don't want to leave him in the dark at 8 at night when I turn the cham's cage lights off, so this was the solution to that problem. The cage temp right now is 72 so I think he is quite comfortable. As long as he sleeps with no cover, then I would not worry about it.

 

[seanUTD]

Thank you Ill give it a try.. I just want hime to be comfy