Basic setup question.

[Mlsracer]

Hey everyone, I'm new to keeping a Chameleon and I'm currently setting up my new cage for a Panther. I've looked around a lot on here already getting ideas of what I need. So far I've ordered a 24"x24"x48" screened cage, I'm looking at the Zilla slimline 18" fixture and I'll stick a 17" 5.0 bulb in there. I already have the dome light, I'm assuming I can put any 50-60W basking bulb in there? I'm looking to order the Mistking starter kit as well. I'd like to attach the pump to the outside of the cabnet his cage will be on, would that be doable with that kit? Once the cage gets here I plan on getting some sticks from outside to mount for him to climb after I cure them. I'm also looking to find a live plant to put in that is pretty durable for him to have.

Anymore advice would be much appreciated! I've kept reptiles in the past, but none that were this detailed in their care.

 

[Mlsracer]

Anyone? lol

 

[CJ's Exotics]

Hey everyone, I'm new to keeping a Chameleon and I'm currently setting up my new cage for a Panther. I've looked around a lot on here already getting ideas of what I need. So far I've ordered a 24"x24"x48" screened cage, I'm looking at the Zilla slimline 18" fixture and I'll stick a 17" 5.0 bulb in there. I already have the dome light, I'm assuming I can put any 50-60W basking bulb in there? I'm looking to order the Mistking starter kit as well. I'd like to attach the pump to the outside of the cabnet his cage will be on, would that be doable with that kit? Once the cage gets here I plan on getting some sticks from outside to mount for him to climb after I cure them. I'm also looking to find a live plant to put in that is pretty durable for him to have.

Anymore advice would be much appreciated! I've kept reptiles in the past, but none that were this detailed in their care.

DON'T GET AN LED!!!! These can be like 60 watts, but don't produce much heat. Sounds good, your equipment looks great. Are you putting live plants in your enclosure? This is not a requirement depending on where you live, but if you live somewhere under 30-20% average humidity, I would put one. What locale and age panther did you get? This has nothing to do with anything, I'm just curious. Good Luck!!!

 

[Mlsracer]

DON'T GET AN LED!!!! These can be like 60 watts, but don't produce much heat. Sounds good, your equipment looks great. Are you putting live plants in your enclosure? This is not a requirement depending on where you live, but if you live somewhere under 30-20% average humidity, I would put one. What locale and age panther did you get? This has nothing to do with anything, I'm just curious. Good Luck!!!

Thanks for the advice! I'll make sure I get a regular bulb and stay away from LED. I do plan on getting live plants, but honestly I haven't began looking into that part yet so I'm not sure what plant I'm getting. I ordered my cage from DIYcages.com and that should be in Friday. I'm hoping to have it up and running a week from then. Once I know the cage temps and humidity are holding where it should be, I plan on placing my order for a baby Ambanja Panther from lllreptile.

 

[CJ's Exotics]

Thanks for the advice! I'll make sure I get a regular bulb and stay away from LED. I do plan on getting live plants, but honestly I haven't began looking into that part yet so I'm not sure what plant I'm getting. I ordered my cage from DIYcages.com and that should be in Friday. I'm hoping to have it up and running a week from then. Once I know the cage temps and humidity are holding where it should be, I plan on placing my order for a baby from lllreptile.

Cool, LLLReptile has great service. I got my baby, who is now 4 mos. from Chameleons101. I agree with you, Chameleons are so much more work than other reptiles! I'm a Leopard Gecko keeper, and after some years of experience, got my first cham.

 

[Mlsracer]

Cool, LLLReptile has great service. I got my baby, who is now 4 mos. from Chameleons101. I agree with you, Chameleons are so much more work than other reptiles! I'm a Leopard Gecko keeper, and after some years of experience, got my first cham.

Yeah it definitely seems like they are! I want to make sure I have everything covered before he gets here so I'm not scrambling to make things right haha. I'll check that site out too!

 

[CJ's Exotics]

Yeah it definitely seems like they are! I want to make sure I have everything covered before he gets here so I'm not scrambling to make things right haha. I'll check that site out too!

Are you getting a baby? Just FYI they don't guarantee gender as babies.

 

[Mlsracer]

Ah I wasn't aware of that, thanks. I was looking at getting a baby, but sense I'm in search of a male I'm guessing I should find an older one.

 

[devynnogood]

That's a humongous cage. Really great for fully grown chameleons. If you plan on getting a juvenile chameleon I would be worried about whether or not they will be able to find their food and if you'll be able to keep humidity up for them. If you find that you are having a hard time holding in humidity, buy a plastic shower curtain and cut it to fit 3 of the sides and tape it on. Plastic wrap works as well but isn't as pretty.

 

[Mlsracer]

That's a humongous cage. Really great for fully grown chameleons. If you plan on getting a juvenile chameleon I would be worried about whether or not they will be able to find their food and if you'll be able to keep humidity up for them. If you find that you are having a hard time holding in humidity, buy a plastic shower curtain and cut it to fit 3 of the sides and tape it on. Plastic wrap works as well but isn't as pretty.

That's a great point, thanks for letting me know. I have a 12x12x24 screened cage in my attic, so I'll get that down and set it up to use while it's still young. At what point would you switch it to the bigger cage? The chameleon I'm looking at is 10" so far, I'm unsure of the age.

 

[devynnogood]

That's a great point, thanks for letting me know. I have a 12x12x24 screened cage in my attic, so I'll get that down and set it up to use while it's still young. At what point would you switch it to the bigger cage? The chameleon I'm looking at is 10" so far, I'm unsure of the age.

Oh wow 10" is almost an adult chameleon, he could possibly be large enough for the big cage but I would see how he is in the smaller one first. Make sure you can get him to eat in the small cage before transitioning. Once he reaches 12" from nose to the end of his tail he will definitely be big enough for the XL cage.

 

[Scottsquatch]

Baby chams are fine in 2x2x4 cages. In the wild they have the entire forest. They can find food and water easily enough. I wouldn't be too concerned.

 

[Goose502]

Baby chams are fine in 2x2x4 cages. In the wild they have the entire forest. They can find food and water easily enough. I wouldn't be too concerned.

I agree, managing humidity and temp is easier in a larger enclosure. You will easily create different temp/humidity zones. If you are worried about him finding food, use a plastic cup or feeding station.

 

[devynnogood]

Baby chams are fine in 2x2x4 cages. In the wild they have the entire forest. They can find food and water easily enough. I wouldn't be too concerned.

I personally have found it harder to maintain humidity in a larger cage(it's not very humid where I live) and these are captive bred chameleons, not wild chameleons. Not here to step on anyone's toes just here to suggest my own opinions and tips. He would probably be fine in a large cage but I've found everything to be much easier and controlled when you have a small chameleon in a smaller cage.

 

[Mlsracer]

Thanks for all the replies and help everyone. I sent the breeder a message asking what size cage they have him in currently to help me better decide on how to keep him. Has anyone with a 24x24x48 cage found a cabinet or anything you could keep the cage on that fits and also has doors? That's probably the biggest part I'm having trouble with, as I'd like to utilize that cabinet to get my drainage system ready.