Cage for baby panther. HELP!

[Kat77]

Hello! I'm new here. I'm getting a baby male Panther Chameleon from Kammerflage Creations within the next few weeks, and although I know that a fully screened in enclosure is best, I was wondering if anyone here thinks that a 12x12x26 half glass half screen enclosure wouldn't be alright to start out with. We are en-process building a very large all screen enclosure, but what we have right now is the one listed above. I'm wondering if anyone thinks that I ought to just bite it and get a small (12x12x24-30) all screen one, or if the one we've got is alright for a short period. Please let me know ASAP!! I need to get my ducks in a row.

 

[Dankmeleon]

def figure out your housing and hydration tactics before you consider purchasing, and i'm not saying that to be a jerk, rather saying it as someone who bought a panther and dealt with the stress of running around, panicking, making retarded posts on the forums on stuff I could have easily found had I searched for it, etc

it really takes a lot of the fun out of keeping them and watching them grow. search around, be creative in your searches and you can find a lot of info on here about housing young panthers , indoor drainage, plants, lighting, supplementation, nutrition etc

 

[Kat77]

I'm actually not panicking, I was just looking for an opinion. I have nearly everything that I need, I just wanted an opinion about the enclosure...which you didn't give me anyhow darlin. Mostly, I want to know whether I can save money on getting a BRAND NEW small enclosure for a baby who will only need a small one for a few months. As I said, we are building a large all screen one at the moment.

 

[Chameleonator]

You can never go wrong having extra screen cages. Having a very large enclosure (seeing that you're from MN... safe to assume it will be indoors), give some thought that on hot sunny days you will want to take advantage of having your chameleon outdoors. So unless the enclosure you plan to build will be mobile, it might be a whole lot easier having that extra one around on nice days. You won't be able to do the same with the smaller half glass/screen cage.

 

[CammieNLeno]

Hi Kat!

I personally think that the 50/50 will suffice just fine until he is ready to move into the larger cage. If anything, place a small fan near your enclosure to ensure you are getting good ventilation during the day. Shut it off at night, and just make sure you are soaking up excess drip runoff at the end of each day - definatly dont want him to be drinking from it.

Paper towels as a substrate will also help with this - just make sure to keep a good check on your temps! Best of luck

 

[fear742]

should be alright with it. i also got a little guy from kammerflage and in reality i wish i bought my larger cage sooner for him. i waited 3 months after i got him when i could have done it in 2 so like they said, as long as you really monitor the temperatures since glass has the ability to cook the little guy, and make sure the airflow is there, should be alright. just dont put it next to a window.

 

[Kat77]

Thanks everyone! I think I'm going to get an inexpensive small screen enclosure anyhow, after thinking about it. Has anyone used those Apogee (I think thats how it's spelled...) Reptariums with the zip door? I think the zip door might bug me if I had to use it too long, but since I have another cage on the way and these are so inexpensive....what do you think?

 

[ChromaChameleons]

Back to your half screen / half glass cage. I assume its screen on top and at least one side. They are perfectly fine , especially as a temporary home and considering that you are located in the north of the U.S.

Just keep an eye on temps and don't let the cage stay wet . Definetly make sure its drying out between mistings .

 

[Kat77]

Yes, the enclosure has a glass bottom half and a screen top half (screen on all sides).

 

[Lizard King]

Cage for baby panther

I have been using Glass Aquariums for many years to raise small Panthers, Depending on where you live is also important, Screen is not always best, I am in Ohio and Glass tanks hold the temps better in the winter months and allows the Cage temp to slowly match the Ambient Temps when the heat light goes out, Different Husbandry techniques works well for different Parts on the country. I do move them to screen when they become Sub-Adults

 

[ChromaChameleons]

Lizard King.. thats exactly how I rasie mine also. I'm in Canada, so temps here make glass very good for starting babies.

I'm perplexed at why some keepers are so vehemently opposed to glass. It does have its uses.

I am currently using Euro style glass/screen cages and also all screen cages . I find both are quite workable. Slight concerns with each , but those concerns are manageable.

 

[Kat77]

I can definitely see how having glass could really help to regulate temperature and humidity for a little baby. I live in Minnesota, and although it gets pretty hot and humid here in the summer, its dry and cold in winter.