Are all panther babies hell bent on escape !

[Smiles]

Soooo.... about three months ago, I encountered a friend, who had a chameleon... I wasn’t altogether comfortable with the way it was kept ( long story) .... but he was beautiful... sad but beautiful. Annnnd.... I’ve always had lovely beasts in my life, so for my birthday I went and invested in Viv for first time.. ( and heating, thermometers, uv, misting systems,.... and bug houses, and bug .... oh and endless ... seemingly endless things! ?) ... and ‘specialist’ reptile store sold me panther chameleons... 2 of them... Male and female.... and yes, realised within a week.... I was complete muppet..... so bought second Viv, heating, thermometers etc etc. So now have TWO CHAMS... allegedly 6 months old..... must have been two months old .
The girl... Flo.... easy peasey.... the boy, Nelix..... nothing, and I mean nothing .... distracts him from his misery of being confined! . He has ; indoor Viv , with every trimming, from monsoon to basking to cool spots. He has a window, with heat and light, and a good view of outside things... which amused him for about a week...he has outdoor parrot cage with stumps and vines ... and real UV ... no breezes .... and this darling, sweet divine little brat......

Always behaves like someone poohed in his handbag!!!

He’s happy in his indoor Viv... and I put my hand in... and he chooses to run up my arm .or not! .. if he does it means he wants out. So, it’s still chilly , so I offer him window ...... ended up taking WEEKS to stop him escaping that! .... kept finding him on my office chair ( and believe me it’s not a comfy chair) ... now he has huge parrot cage to get real uv... he likes that also ( I get to choose between window and garden .... I’m the one that can read and understand thermometers) ..... but relentlessly... he’s miserable.... no matter where he is .... he’s always looking to find a way out .....ENDLESSLY stressing about an escape route.
I’m new to this, he’s precious, don’t get me wrong, he basks, eats, never really gets angry colours ..... but is THIS what these little guys do?
Do they all plot escape.... ALLLLLL day ????????
?

 

[Nicholashubbs410]

I would say that he’s unhappy with his terrarium if he’s wanting to escape constantly. He might just be free spirited and love to free roam, my tamatave Arthur is like that. I would make sure that he has a 2 x 2 x 4 screen enclosure with 65% humidity. Keep him 6 to 8 inches away from his basking bulb, add spag moss (lots) and non toxic plants to retain humidity. No soil. Cover three sides of the terrarium with shower liner. I’m sure that you know the drill, just make sure that it’s terrarium is suitable and he will stop trying to escape. If not you can look up proper husbandry online. I’ll attach a couple pictures of my terrarium set up

 

[Smiles]

I would say that he’s unhappy with his terrarium if he’s wanting to escape constantly. He might just be free spirited and love to free roam, my tamatave Arthur is like that. I would make sure that he has a 2 x 2 x 4 screen enclosure with 65% humidity. Keep him 6 to 8 inches away from his basking bulb, add spag moss (lots) and non toxic plants to retain humidity. No soil. Cover three sides of the terrarium with shower liner. I’m sure that you know the drill, just make sure that it’s terrarium is suitable and he will stop trying to escape. If not you can look up proper husbandry online. I’ll attach a couple pictures of my terrarium set up

That’s the problem....! If he was digging, sulking, not eating or stressing I’d be really worried.... he actually chills wherever he is in his three environments.....he’s healthy in every way! ... but if there’s any way.... and I mean anyway to escape... he does!! .... and it’s like
A mind game!...... he’ll eat lunch from my fingers, and be basking ..... I go and cook dinner , gone for twenty minutes .... I’ll find him dangling upside down With his tiny arms wrapped round a leaf .....or spider web ....or just about anything .... it’s challenging! .... ? I can’t help but think you hit the nail on the head by saying ‘free spirited !’ Is it just that? ... are they all like that ? ?

 

[Smiles]

I would say that he’s unhappy with his terrarium if he’s wanting to escape constantly. He might just be free spirited and love to free roam, my tamatave Arthur is like that. I would make sure that he has a 2 x 2 x 4 screen enclosure with 65% humidity. Keep him 6 to 8 inches away from his basking bulb, add spag moss (lots) and non toxic plants to retain humidity. No soil. Cover three sides of the terrarium with shower liner. I’m sure that you know the drill, just make sure that it’s terrarium is suitable and he will stop trying to escape. If not you can look up proper husbandry online. I’ll attach a couple pictures of my terrarium set up

Ohh... and I had soil, but removed it ( crossed my mind that might smell off to him) and he likes his Viv .... he doesn’t want out every day... I put hand in, he thinks about it , either turns away... or walks casually to my elbow... and waits to see where he’s travelling to next! ... no stress at all ! But..... ONE single opportunity to grab something, and bugger off... he does!

 

[Tinytort]

Ohh... and I had soil, but removed it ( crossed my mind that might smell off to him) and he likes his Viv .... he doesn’t want out every day... I put hand in, he thinks about it , either turns away... or walks casually to my elbow... and waits to see where he’s travelling to next! ... no stress at all ! But..... ONE single opportunity to grab something, and bugger off... he does!

One thing that I have learned about reptiles through caring for tortoises and various lizards is that a lot of reptiles have big eyes and big curiosities. If they can see a bigger place than where they are they will want to explore. Hell, if I had a thousand acres for my torts it still wouldn't be big enough. Some animals are like us in that they all are uniquely individualistic with personality. Some animals and people aren't meant to be caged. Just my thoughts

 

[Ares05]

Hello!

Some chameleons do want to get out, to go to a preferred spot, such as perching on your arm, outside, free range area, ect. But sometimes it is an indicator that something isnt right in their enclosure.

Could you fill this out for me, when you get the chance? I looked through your past posts and you haven't had your husbandry reviewed yet.

Fill out this form for each chameleon, and their setups. Male and female chameleon care is not the same. Be detailed and specific.. try not to miss any questions. In the History area note any past issues you have experienced, odd behaviors, vet visits, ect.

Chameleon Info:

• Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
• Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
• Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
• Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
• Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
• Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
• History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.

Cage Info:

• Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
• Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
• Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
• Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
• Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
• 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?
• Location - Where are you geographically located?

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.

--------------

Please Note:

1. The more details you provide the better and more accurate help you will receive.
2. Photos can be very helpful.

 

[Smiles]

One thing that I have learned about reptiles through caring for tortoises and various lizards is that a lot of reptiles have big eyes and big curiosities. If they can see a bigger place than where they are they will want to explore. Hell, if I had a thousand acres for my torts it still wouldn't be big enough. Some animals are like us in that they all are uniquely individualistic with personality. Some animals and people aren't meant to be caged. Just my thoughts

? I think I like your explanation! .... maybe I should rename him Dr Livingston.... ?

 

[Kleynie]

I have a 9 month old panther, I've had him since September. I'm lucky enough that he is super sociable, he loves being taken to different places to explore. He was moved to a new Vivarium in January, that I spent ages setting up, he's got loads of places to hide, loads of vines, live plants, a custom background, and he still often prefers to explore outside his Vivarium, I think it's just the way he is, maybe yours is similar.

 

[Smiles]

Hello!

Some chameleons do want to get out, to go to a preferred spot, such as perching on your arm, outside, free range area, ect. But sometimes it is an indicator that something isnt right in their enclosure.

Could you fill this out for me, when you get the chance? I looked through your past posts and you haven't had your husbandry reviewed yet.

Fill out this form for each chameleon, and their setups. Male and female chameleon care is not the same. Be detailed and specific.. try not to miss any questions. In the History area note any past issues you have experienced, odd behaviors, vet visits, ect.

Chameleon Info:

• Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
• Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
• Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
• Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
• Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
• Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
• History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.

Cage Info:

• Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
• Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
• Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
• Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
• Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
• 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?
• Location - Where are you geographically located?

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.

--------------

Please Note:

1. The more details you provide the better and more accurate help you will receive.
2. Photos can be very helpful.

No problem! I’ll get you full details for tomorrow when I have a little time to get it all tapped out ..... I’d rather use pc, takes me ages with tiny phone keyboard ?

 

[Ares05]

For sure! When filling it out you can just copy and paste the form and just type out your answers under each question.

 

[Beman]

LOL thank you for the laugh this morning... Can you post pics of his entire indoor viv from the lighting down... Also can he actually see the female? Post pics of him as well please.

 

[Smiles]

Chameleon Info: Name Nelix : male
Backstory;
First time owner, a local ‘specialist’ told me that the male and female were a pair and should be bought and kept together. I was told they were 6 months old ( approx). I could see almost immediately that the pair were not happy together, with him digging and avoiding her. Did my research, moved her to a new Viv and set up. So, some of this information may ( in hindsight ie age ) be untrue!

• Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
• Panther Chameleon, Ambilobe, Male, (allegedly 6 months at purchase) 2 months in my home.
• 
  
• Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
• Every day. Will walk into hand.
• 
  
• Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders
• Locust, fed on fresh veg, shop bought feed, locust cage permanently dusted. Wax worms, cage dusted, fed on honey. Morio worm, cage dusted, fed veggies and some cooked meat scraps. Giant meal worms, cage dusted, fed on veggies and some scraps. All of the above have H2O balls or water gel added to cages. Kept in garage pantry at low temperature. He is fed a mix, slightly different each day, maybe 3 medium locusts 4 wax worms or 2 mario worm and half a dozen mealworms.... anything not eaten in an hour is removed. He is fed mid morning, and some times offered a second feed early eve
• 
  
• 
  
  
• Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
• 
• 
  
• Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
• Using a large plant water dropper inside Viv and a monsoon multi timed for 2 minutes twice a day. We have both hard water and soft water plumbed to house... only hard water used ( can’t find info on salt content In softened water, and reptiles...so dont risk it) yes he drinks regularly.
• 
  Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
• Dark or mid brown, with pale orange urat. No, he hasn’t been tested for parasites.
  
  
• History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.

Cage Info:

• Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
• 90x 45x 60cm glass exo, mesh top.
  
  
• 
• 
  
  
• 
  Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
• 
  
  All exoterra uvb lights and bulbs. plus back up bulbs of various wattage, spare uvb and additional lamp holders... so that I can tweak things and get temps etc correct !!! ... they seem to be correct currently.
• Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
  Cage temperature is kept a 75/78 degrees, basking spot gets to approx 88/92 Nighttime temp never seems to drop below low 60’s. I have habistat dimming thermostat fitted, and use standard old fashioned stick on hydrometer and thermometer. Lighting schedule is 12 hours on, 12 hours off. I originally I followed natural daylight hours.... but after watching his chossen
  
  
• Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
• Humidity is usually 55 to 65. If it drops below 50 I insert cardboard foil covered panels onto roof mesh to retain moisture
  
  
• Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
• Mixture of plants, a few decorative plastic, majority live as sold to me by reptile chappy ( cheeseplanty things, and some others ( i threw the labels away ! )
• 
  
• 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?
• I know it’s low .... this is my office.
• 
  
  but he s also got his window space he spends hours here gawping out of the window ( I suspect he has his eye on large tree in distance) the sun rises directly in front of this window. This is in my office also I’m here most of the time with him
• 
  
  
  
  
  he also has his real UV basking cage.... the garden is a heat trap, has sun all day, west facing ( of course weather today is vile, for the sakes of the photo )
• 
  
  Oops reached max photos ... more on following post...
• This is on wheels, and is moved to hottest, or most appropriate position... he isnt left alone out here, and is never taken out if there is any breeze or wind.
  
  
• Location - Where are you geographically located?
• UK , West Sussex
• ?
  
  
  
  
  
  

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.

 

[Smiles]

Chameleon Info: Name Nelix : male
Backstory;
First time owner, a local ‘specialist’ told me that the male and female were a pair and should be bought and kept together. I was told they were 6 months old ( approx). I could see almost immediately that the pair were not happy together, with him digging and avoiding her. Did my research, moved her to a new Viv and set up. So, some of this information may ( in hindsight ie age ) be untrue!

• Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
• Panther Chameleon, Ambilobe, Male, (allegedly 6 months at purchase) 2 months in my home.
• 
  
• Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
• Every day. Will walk into hand.
• 
  
• Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders
• Locust, fed on fresh veg, shop bought feed, locust cage permanently dusted. Wax worms, cage dusted, fed on honey. Morio worm, cage dusted, fed veggies and some cooked meat scraps. Giant meal worms, cage dusted, fed on veggies and some scraps. All of the above have H2O balls or water gel added to cages. Kept in garage pantry at low temperature. He is fed a mix, slightly different each day, maybe 3 medium locusts 4 wax worms or 2 mario worm and half a dozen mealworms.... anything not eaten in an hour is removed. He is fed mid morning, and some times offered a second feed early eve
• 
  
• View attachment 263409
  
• Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
• View attachment 263410
• 
  
• Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
• Using a large plant water dropper inside Viv and a monsoon multi timed for 2 minutes twice a day. We have both hard water and soft water plumbed to house... only hard water used ( can’t find info on salt content In softened water, and reptiles...so dont risk it) yes he drinks regularly.
• 
  Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
• Dark or mid brown, with pale orange urat. No, he hasn’t been tested for parasites.
  
  
• History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.

Cage Info:

• Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
• 90x 45x 60cm glass exo, mesh top.
  View attachment 263411
• View attachment 263412
• View attachment 263413
  
• 
  Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
• View attachment 263414
  All exoterra uvb lights and bulbs. plus back up bulbs of various wattage, spare uvb and additional lamp holders... so that I can tweak things and get temps etc correct !!! ... they seem to be correct currently.
• Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
  Cage temperature is kept a 75/78 degrees, basking spot gets to approx 88/92 Nighttime temp never seems to drop below low 60’s. I have habistat dimming thermostat fitted, and use standard old fashioned stick on hydrometer and thermometer. Lighting schedule is 12 hours on, 12 hours off. I originally I followed natural daylight hours.... but after watching his chossen
  
  
• Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
• Humidity is usually 55 to 65. If it drops below 50 I insert cardboard foil covered panels onto roof mesh to retain moisture
  
  
• Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
• Mixture of plants, a few decorative plastic, majority live as sold to me by reptile chappy ( cheeseplanty things, and some others ( i threw the labels away ! )
• 
  
• 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?
• I know it’s low .... this is my office.
• View attachment 263415
  but he s also got his window space he spends hours here gawping out of the window ( I suspect he has his eye on large tree in distance) the sun rises directly in front of this window. This is in my office also I’m here most of the time with him
• View attachment 263416
  View attachment 263417
  he also has his real UV basking cage.... the garden is a heat trap, has sun all day, west facing ( of course weather today is vile, for the sakes of the photo )
• View attachment 263418
  Oops reached max photos ... more on following post...
• This is on wheels, and is moved to hottest, or most appropriate position... he isnt left alone out here, and is never taken out if there is any breeze or wind.
  
  
• Location - Where are you geographically located?
• UK , West Sussex
• ?View attachment 263409View attachment 263410View attachment 263411View attachment 263412View attachment 263418View attachment 263413View attachment 263409View attachment 263410View attachment 263411View attachment 263412View attachment 263413View attachment 263418

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.

Apologies, no idea why photos came up twice!
following images cont.
Outside ‘cage’

Nelix himself

He had slight damage on his head when I had him , he has shed three times since I’ve had him, the damage is healing!... he shed yesterday... and has tiny piece of shed still next to wound site... this happens every time he sheds... it will fall off tomorrow ( based on history)

He isn’t 7 months old ..... is he?
?

 

[Smiles]

Apologies, no idea why photos came up twice!
following images cont.
Outside ‘cage’
View attachment 263419View attachment 263419
Nelix himself
View attachment 263424

View attachment 263420
He had slight damage on his head when I had him , he has shed three times since I’ve had him, the damage is healing!... he shed yesterday... and has tiny piece of shed still next to wound site... this happens every time he sheds... it will fall off tomorrow ( based on history)
View attachment 263425
View attachment 263419
View attachment 263420View attachment 263419View attachment 263420View attachment 263421
View attachment 263423
He isn’t 7 months old ..... is he?
?

Annnnnd ..... yet again ..... sorry for all the images ..... not got a bloody clue what I’m doing !!! ?

 

[Smiles]

LOL thank you for the laugh this morning... Can you post pics of his entire indoor viv from the lighting down... Also can he actually see the female? Post pics of him as well please.

I’m afraid some hideous glitch on my phone made me send same photos over... and over .... and over again ... in no particular order ! I’ll post girlies story later .... my finger is exhausted ?

 

[Tinytort]

I’m afraid some hideous glitch on my phone made me send same photos over... and over .... and over again ... in no particular order ! I’ll post girlies story later .... my finger is exhausted ?

Ok, some things I noticed are that you are feeding meal worms. I would cut them out completely. They lack nutrition and with your chams urates being orange this could be an issue as the urates suggest some dehydration. Wax worms I would only feed as a treat mauve twice a week. They are high in fat. I would definitely look into gutloading with the info on the chart I've posted. I would only dust the feeders you are putting in the terrarium for eating. I wouldn't dust the whole cage. The hammock may cause issues with their nails getting stuck in them. I would also find a stand to put it on as they are aboreal animals and the higher up they go the safer they feel. I wound definitely get a 2x2x4 cage for the male and 18x18x32 for female and would not house then together. My phone is being dumb so I will post those charts soon. Calcium dust every day without d3 and once a month with d3. And every other week with multivitamins. I'm no expert and others will definitely see what I've missed.

 

[kinyonga]

Chameleon Info: Name Nelix : male
Backstory;
First time owner, a local ‘specialist’ told me that the male and female were a pair and should be bought and kept together. I was told they were 6 months old ( approx). I could see almost immediately that the pair were not happy together, with him digging and avoiding her. Did my research, moved her to a new Viv and set up. So, some of this information may ( in hindsight ie age ) be untrue!

• Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
• Panther Chameleon, Ambilobe, Male, (allegedly 6 months at purchase) 2 months in my home.
• 
  
• Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
• Every day. Will walk into hand.
• 
  
• Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders
• Locust, fed on fresh veg, shop bought feed, locust cage permanently dusted. Wax worms, cage dusted, fed on honey. Morio worm, cage dusted, fed veggies and some cooked meat scraps. Giant meal worms, cage dusted, fed on veggies and some scraps. All of the above have H2O balls or water gel added to cages. Kept in garage pantry at low temperature. He is fed a mix, slightly different each day, maybe 3 medium locusts 4 wax worms or 2 mario worm and half a dozen mealworms.... anything not eaten in an hour is removed. He is fed mid morning, and some times offered a second feed early eve What do you mean "cage permanently dusted"? I wouldn't feed any of the insects meat....but that's just my opinion.
• 
  
• View attachment 263409
  
• Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
• View attachment 263410
• So you only use a calcium powder? I recommend that you lightly dust the insects just before feeding them to the chameleons at all feedings but 4 a month with a phos free calcium powder to ensure that the chameleon gets enough calcium since most feeder insects have a poor ratio of calcium to phos. I would also dust twice a month, two weeks apart on two of the off days with a phos free calcium/D3 powder lightly to ensure the chameleon gets some D3 without overdosing it and leaving the chameleon to produce the rest of its D3 from its exposure to the UVB. D3 produced from exposure to the UVB shouldn't build up in the system and cause health issues like D3 from supplements can as long as the chameleon can move in and out of the light at will. Also dust lightly on the other two off days, once every second week with a vitamin powder containing a beta carotene prOformed source of vitamin A. Vitamin A from prOformed sources won't build up in the system and cause health issues like pEformed sources (retinol, retinyl, retinal) will...so this leaves it up to you to use a prEformed source if needed.
• Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
• Using a large plant water dropper inside Viv and a monsoon multi timed for 2 minutes twice a day. We have both hard water and soft water plumbed to house... only hard water used ( can’t find info on salt content In softened water, and reptiles...so dont risk it) yes he drinks regularly.
• 
  Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
• Dark or mid brown, with pale orange urat. No, he hasn’t been tested for parasites.
  
  
• History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.

Cage Info:

• Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
• 90x 45x 60cm glass exo, mesh top.
  View attachment 263411
• View attachment 263412
• View attachment 263413
  
• 
  Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
• View attachment 263414
  All exoterra uvb lights and bulbs. plus back up bulbs of various wattage, spare uvb and additional lamp holders... so that I can tweak things and get temps etc correct !!! ... they seem to be correct currently. I use the long linear reptisun 5.0 tube light for a UVB light and a regular household incandescent bulb for a basking build. No colored lights are recommended and no lights on at night.
• Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
  Cage temperature is kept a 75/78 degrees, basking spot gets to approx 88/92 Nighttime temp never seems to drop below low 60’s. I have habistat dimming thermostat fitted, and use standard old fashioned stick on hydrometer and thermometer. Lighting schedule is 12 hours on, 12 hours off. I originally I followed natural daylight hours.... but after watching his chosen
• Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
• Humidity is usually 55 to 65. If it drops below 50 I insert cardboard foil covered panels onto roof mesh to retain moisture
  
  
• Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
• Mixture of plants, a few decorative plastic, majority live as sold to me by reptile chappy ( cheeseplanty things, and some others ( i threw the labels away ! )
• 
  
• 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?
• I know it’s low .... this is my office.
• View attachment 263415
  but he s also got his window space he spends hours here gawping out of the window ( I suspect he has his eye on large tree in distance) the sun rises directly in front of this window. This is in my office also I’m here most of the time with him
• View attachment 263416
  View attachment 263417
  he also has his real UV basking cage.... the garden is a heat trap, has sun all day, west facing ( of course weather today is vile, for the sakes of the photo )
• View attachment 263418
  Oops reached max photos ... more on following post...
• I would lift the cage up off the floor.
• This is on wheels, and is moved to hottest, or most appropriate position... he isnt left alone out here, and is never taken out if there is any breeze or wind.
  
  
• Location - Where are you geographically located?
• UK , West Sussex
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Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.

Sorry to say...but it bothers me that whatever is on the cage floor is small enough to ingest. You don't want to see your chameleon end up impacted.
Hope I haven't missed anything.

 

[salty dog]

Healthy babies are more concerned about defending their space not trying to get out of it...you have a husbandry issues.... your chameleon is a young adult, throw away the cage on the ground, the 2x2 x4 is a good minimum size cage he should be kept in...the others will chime in on other corrections you should take...stop feeding meal worms please!!!

 

[Smiles]

Sorry to say...but it bothers me that whatever is on the cage floor is small enough to ingest. You don't want to see your chameleon end up impacted.
Hope I haven't missed anything.

Thank you for the advice ! ? I meant by dusted, that there is some calcium powder in the insects cages.... they are ‘rattled’ in a cup with the powder just before offering them to him/her. I’m using the repitsun uvb currently... but I also had exoterra uvb 100 .... the heat and lighting has taken hundreds of hours to tweak !!! And I’ve ended up with a vast array of fittings and spares ...?
I know his cage is low ... and that’s not traditionally where they are ..... but I’m very lucky in that this is my office ( I’m an animal artist) and I spend about 10 hours per day in here with the little guy every day, sadly I haven’t room for a tall Viv in here .... and the only place I can put a tall one .... I would never see him ! Also. He’s out on windowsill half the day ( weather permitting.... he has basking lamp, and dripper on sill... and thermometer which I keep a beady eye on !) I DO hope peeps are not getting the wrong idea about him being unhappy in his Viv.... he seems fine in there ! Basks, meanders around, drinks, feeds and hunts. No digging or stressing, no clambering on the underside of roof ... just chilled. also, what can’t be seen in photos is under the curved cork bark is a second narrower shelf which is out of heat, and where he sleeps. I noticed from day one that they both wanted to hide at night, and designed both his and her Viv’s to have ‘bedroom’s’ ?
He seems to be very sociable... or spoilt... and if I’m up and walking near, or sitting next to Viv.... he will walk to doors ... and stand there with his nose to the gap.... if I then open doors and place hand in, he climbs on , walks to my elbow, and just sits there.... presumably waiting to be delivered to windowsill or garden/ conservatory cage, where he can get real uv . My original comment was really directed at behaviours.... as I was building him different areas to play/ bask/ climb on ( remember I’m really new to this ) he would seem to be thoroughly content to watch birds/ trees etc ... for HOURS .... but the minute I left the room..... he would attempt to escape! And I’d find him dangling precariously by the tip of his tail...... or just sitting perfectly still in the middle of the floor. I wondered if they all did this, and whether it was cunning guile, or desire to be away from people ?
The product on the bottom of the cage is moisture beads for reptile cages, it originally had liner and reptile soil on top of that, but it smelt bad, and I use uvc led ( non ozone) lights to sterilise all his surfaces... I could see moulds developing on the soil, so removed it. He doesn’t walk on ground and I am thinking I may use no-mow ( a high quality artificial grass) in the base, it’s easy to wash, and doesn’t shed at all .... is this a good idea ?
Oh.... and someone else commented on our female ..... she has different Viv, in a different room, does have a soil/ sand mix deep litter ( with nest box) and has same husbandry... except she’s not sociable and eats more than him atm.
thank you so much for your advice... I shall reread and get calcium powders etc under control !!!! ?

 

[kinyonga]

Once the female becomes sexually mature (you'll know by her colors and patterns) she can produce eggs without having been mated so she will need an egglaying bin in her cage at Walmart times. If you don't want her to produce a huge clutch and likely develop MBD and other health issues you will need to control her diet and cut her down to about 5 or 6 crickets every second day.