Swapping cages

[Drago]

I think I would like to swap chams/cages. I have a veiled in a 16 x 16 x 20 and a smaller/younger Panther in an 18 x 18 x 36.

The veiled is doing very well, eating like a champ and will need to be moved soon anyway. I have a 24 x 24 x 48 that is empty now but that may be a bit too big of a move.

The panther is new to me (1 week) and still very young. He poops regularly and his urates look good. I very rarely see him eat although judging by the poop; I think he's doing "ok".

I'm thinking about swapping their cages. Where do you put a cham when they will be out of their homes for a couple hours? Do you put them in a deli cup and a dark spot like a closed closet? I'm thinking they will be less stressed? OR maybe not bother with that and just put them in 32oz deli cups for a couple hours while I clean out both cages before I swap them. I should add, neither one right now, likes being handled or being out of their cages, hence the concern about stressing them out too much while cleaning.

Neither is sick so is it even necessary to do a major cage cleanout (their not dirty) I'm thinking more that I could unknowingly transfer unseen parasites (or whatever) from one cham to another??

Many questions there lol...thoughts?

 

[Lathelia]

hi,
I'm not an expert, but I think the best way is to move your veiled to the big cage you have empty at the moment. In my opinion it's better not to stress the little panther if that's not needed. I moved my panther at the age of 4-5months to very big enclosure and my opinion on this topic is: it's better to have too big cage than too small. So I wouldn't worry your big cage might be too big for him. He may need a little more time to adjust but that's it.
Anyway that is just my opinion and that's what I would do if I were you. cheers!

 

[Drago]

I certainly appreciate the input and your opinion, that's what I'm looking for, I'm certainly no expert either!

So your thinking leave the panther where he is, in the mid size cage (18 x 18 x 36)

Move the Veiled from the 16 x 16 x 20 to the big cage (24 x 24 x 48)?

My reason for posting, I was concerned that the panter is in too large a cage to find enough crickets (no cup feeding) but if "I do" see him eat, albiet seldome, BUT his poops look ok, you would still leave him be?

 

[Lathelia]

Yes, that's what I would do. If you see your panther pooping then I wouldn't worry. A bit of exercise and practise with hunting shouldn't do much harm
Especially if he's in new environmet I would let him settle down, changing his cage (again) would stress him too much. IMO

 

[Wykd]

I agree leave the little dude if things are going ok with him, he can grow in that 18x18x36 till what 5-6 months?

Put the vieled over to the 2x2x4 if its bigger than the panther.

 

[Drago]

Thank you for the input guys, I think this is what I'll do then

Nice facebook page BTW Wykd

 

[Wykd]

Thank you for the input guys, I think this is what I'll do then

Nice facebook page BTW Wykd

Thanks, I just set it up the other day. I figure I would chronicle the life and times of my cham's there.

 

[BocaJan]

What size cage is the panther in? is it bigger then the cage the veiled is in? At this point the 2x2x4 is pretty big for either one at this time. The veiled will grow faster then the panther.

 

[Drago]

What size cage is the panther in? is it bigger then the cage the veiled is in? At this point the 2x2x4 is pretty big for either one at this time. The veiled will grow faster then the panther.

I have the veiled in a 16 x 16 x 20 and a smaller/younger Panther in an 18 x 18 x 36.

I have a 24 x 24 x 48 that is empty now but that may be a bit too big of a move for the veiled just yet, maybe in another month?

 

[Drago]

At this point the 2x2x4 is pretty big for either one at this time.

That was one of my concerns. I was thinking the panther is currently in too big a cage too which is why I thought swapping them out was the best idea, but concerned about any unknown "bugs" that may be in one of the cages. Also as the other two brought up, unnecessarily stressing out the panther by moving him.

 

[Wykd]

If the panther is feeding and drinking fine in his current then no need him. But if he is having hard time finding his food etc... then yes his cage is to big. As for the veiled is he bigger than then the panther? If so then you can try putting him in the big boy enclosure and see how he adapts after a few days settling in. If he cant find his food etc.. then its to big for him.

/shrug that's the only thing I could think to do other than simply switching their current enclosures between them both. If its a quick in and out switch then that will not be a big stress out, just switch them and let them adjust a bit before interacting again.

 

[BocaJan]

I don't think the veiled will be stressed. If you have a bin you can put her in with some fake plants (not too high) she will be ok while you clean the plants in her old cage. and clean the cage. Put the stuff back in then move the panther. She will be fine with the move.

Then you can clean the panther's cage and put the veiled in the larger cage and everyone will be happy. I don't find that they stress quite so easily as a move. Just let them walk on a stick if you are afraid that your hand will scare them.

 

[Drago]

Thanks everybody!!