Brand new to panther chameleons and have some questions

[julianfremaint]

My ambilobe panther chameleon's cage is on it's way from flchams.com. I ordered a 24x24x48 sized cage. After it's shipped and setup my baby male ambilobe will be on his way. I am brand new to owning a chameleon. I do have experience with reptiles though. I understand how much different taking care of panthers are. I did my basic research, but don't know too much yet. I have a week or so until Skittles, what I decided to name him, will be here. Even just basic feeding schedule would be great. I also have some specifc questions on cage setup. What plants should I put inside the cage? There is plenty of room to put one straight up with middle. I don't now which ones to buy and which ones are safe for panthers. And where could I buy these plants from? I was planning on also putting vines up the side. I am just not too sure how to fill the cage to make him feel like he is at home. I am willing to bedazzle it at any cost.

I would much appreciate replies and as much info as I could gather before he arrives! Thanks!
-Julian

 

[carol5208]

hello and welcome to the forums! Here is a general care sheet for panthers which has a lot of sublinks which should answer many of your questions.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/panther/ As far as plants, the most popular are the pothos, sheffelera(aka umbrella plant)and the ficus. Hibiscus are also used, but they flower and don't do all too well indoors. Grow lights can be used also.

 

[julianfremaint]

Thanks! Where could I buy those types of plants from? Do you know of any websites?

 

[Ninkylou]

Not sure where you live but often you can get plants from your local big box store, or IKEA. Out here the Fred Meyers stores sell great plants. You have to do some work replanting to be done into organic soil and such. The last reptile show I was at had a vendor who was selling chameleon safe plants already potted in organic soil.

The cost to ship a full size plant can be pretty crazy. Call around to your local nurseries. I took the printed list of cham safe plants to Lowes, Home Depot, Ikea and Freddies to shop for the best plants and best bargains. Its not a great time of year in my region to buy plants but you can get lucky if you do some footwork. Sheffelera's are usually very easy to get at the stores and are a great tolerant and grow like a weed kind of plant.

 

[julianfremaint]

Okay! I'll look around. Thanks. What about plants with branches he could climb? Those plants definitely fill the atmosphere but how about a plant with thick branches he could walk across?

 

[Andee]

To fill the top space of my 24x24x48 cage I use a small Camellia bush for my panther, they are not poisonous just make sure to snip the flowers before they shed or you will have a mess. They have great branches for climbing. Also I would suggest getting some fake bendable vines to make some horizontal pathways for him. Or else he might get stressed out. Some scheffelera, like the ones I find at home depot are thick and have strong enough branches to be climbed on by a full grown cham. Good luck with your new addition, oh and be careful having such a large cage for such a young cham. Unless you plan to cup feed you need to shrink the cage to make it easier for him to find his food.

 

[julianfremaint]

To fill the top space of my 24x24x48 cage I use a small Camellia bush for my panther, they are not poisonous just make sure to snip the flowers before they shed or you will have a mess. They have great branches for climbing. Also I would suggest getting some fake bendable vines to make some horizontal pathways for him. Or else he might get stressed out. Some scheffelera, like the ones I find at home depot are thick and have strong enough branches to be climbed on by a full grown cham. Good luck with your new addition, oh and be careful having such a large cage for such a young cham. Unless you plan to cup feed you need to shrink the cage to make it easier for him to find his food.

Ok, thanks. I already ordered a 24x24x48 size cage though. What do you recommend I do? He is 3 months old by the way.

 

[Chameleon Company]

.......... Good luck with your new addition, oh and be careful having such a large cage for such a young cham. Unless you plan to cup feed you need to shrink the cage to make it easier for him to find his food.

Your other advice was good, but I wanted to clarify and correct what I took from your comment. So long as the chameleon is 4" total length, or close, and a 3 month old should be, it can and will forage as large of a cage that you can put it in. I suspect that there is zero need to "shrink the cage" for a 3 month old.

 

[gringo2013]

New Jackson Chameleon!!!!

He was green now he has black spots what does this mean? Also is his cage set up right?