11 month old-questions

[Wolfepack]

Hey, guys! My amazing 11 month old Panther is doing relatively well so far. I just wanted to make sure a couple things are normal.
1) At what point do sheds become fewer and more far between? I know it slows with age/size I just wasn't expecting it to slow at this point. His last one was probably a couple months ago but he isn't even a year old yet.
2) He refuses to poop in his cage. It started a few months ago when he became more actively coming out of the cage (practically begging [yay!]). But will only poop outside of the cage and it may be like a week/week 1/2 between. He comes out of the cage a few times a week, but he doesn't poop every time. Sometimes they are absolutely huge! I just hope he isn't hurting himself by being a clean freak.
3) Is there anything recommended I feed him now that he is getting bigger/older? He doesn't like eating the actual "large crickets". So we try to keep them around medium size. He also isn't eating as many of the medium size we have been feeding him for weeks. Is that normal? He is still pretty active and I haven't noticed any issues.
Thank in advance!

 

[ChameleonMom]

Even though you don't have a specific problem, I think you should fill out this form: https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/

I only say this because the eating issue could be due to inappropriate lighting/UVB issues, etc. or perhaps another part of your husbandry is off. Until we know what you are doing I think any advice would be a shot in the dark.

 

[Wolfepack]

Chameleon Info:

Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
Designer Cross Panther Chameleon. Male. Almost 11 months old. Arrived on April 20, 2012.


Handling – 3-4 times a week. Begs to come out almost every day.

Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
Feeding 6-8 medium crickets daily. Dusted with Repashy Calcium Plus daily. Dusted with Rep-Cal Calcium with VitD 2x month. Dusted with Rep-Cal Herptivite multivitamin once a week. Gut load with assorted fruits and veggies.

Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
See above

Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
Automatic misting system goes for 30 seconds every 3 hours. Plus occasional manual mistings.

Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
Feces are mostly brown with a bit of white. Solid. Never been tested in my care.

History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.
Very active, loves coming out of the cage and playing on our Chihuahua’s playpen. Will not poop in cage anymore.

Cage Info:

Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
Cage is Zilla screen. 18x12x20. Working on getting his adult size cage.

Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
Fluker's basking lamp with 60 watt daylight bulb, Reptisun 5.0 UVB bulb. Schedule is from 6 am-6 pm.

Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
Digital thermometer located about 2-3 inches from top corner. Temperature basking is about 85 degrees. He usually stays around the middle branch. Temperature in area is never below 72 degrees (a bit cold blooded myself!)


Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
Humidity guage for ambient humidity. Usually stays around 65%.



Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
Did have 2 Jade trees, both died. Waiting to get new plants when we upgrade his cage.

Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
Cage is located in a corner, not really a high traffic area. Closest vent is about 6 feet away. (Best location in relation to vents,doors,traffic area). Cabinet is from Exoterra. Top is about 3 feet from the ground.

Location - Where are you geographically located?
Located in Jacksonville, NC

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.
No real problem.. just ensuring all things are normal.

 

[camimom]

I would get him his adult cage asap.

also, you need to provide a wider variety of bugs.

roaches, silkworms, hornworms, waxworms, pheonix worms, superworms, mantids, are all good to add into his diet (all within moderation of course)

 

[Wolfepack]

So, back to the 'he doesn't poop often' point. He came out of his cage this morning (he won't poop in his cage anymore) and took a massive dump. I just want to be sure this isn't a problem. Or if it is normal? It has always had the same look and consistency but the size has increased with his age.

 

[Wolfepack]

Also, he finally started a shed yesterday! =] It's been a while.

 

[Djturna4thakidz]

I would think the pooping problem has to do with the size of his cage, just my opinion tho

 

[Alexl]

Feeding 6-8 medium crickets daily.

And you really think he's eating too little sometimes? I would definitely cut down feeding for an eleven month old chameleon. Take a look at this thread.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

So, back to the 'he doesn't poop often' point. He came out of his cage this morning (he won't poop in his cage anymore) and took a massive dump. I just want to be sure this isn't a problem. Or if it is normal? It has always had the same look and consistency but the size has increased with his age.

My panther is the exact same way! He scratches at the cage door so I'll let him out and it's usually because he has to poop when he's really adament about it. And his are usually about a week or two apart, even when I take him out daily (he's really social) which gives him opportunities to go more frequently. I wouldn't be worried. And mine will poop in his cage eventually if I don't let him out.

 

[Wolfepack]

That is good to hear, ferritinmyshoes! I was beginning to think he was OCD! Haha. Mine is very social now as well. He begs to come out on practically a daily basis (even before/during a shed, which he never used to do) but only poops maybe once a week/two weeks. It just makes me feel bad to watch him push out a massive poop like he did this morning. That can't be comfortable! I am going to reduce the frequency of feeding and maybe that will help with the poop size.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

At his age I would do the same, and that should help with the massive poo.