Chams in Texas?

N

NormsWorld

New Member
I'm going to be a first-time owner of an ambilobe panther soon, so I am in the process of making his home perfect. I was over at Ultimate Reptiles (wonderful store with the coolest reptiles) looking for a cham, and when talking to the owner about what size habitat I should get he stressed that NEEDED a glass enclosure. Although I know most everyone has a full mesh enclosure, he explained that because the area we live in (south texas) a mesh enclosure would be a death sentence because we ALWAYS have the air on (its hot okay :p) and that would dry out the cage very quickly. Not that I am doubting his input, all his chams were beautiful and thriving in there glass enclosures, but I'm a stickler for getting more than one opinion. Is there anyone in Texas or a similar area that give me tips on the best habitat for my region? Suggestions on glass enclosures? Thanks! :D (sorry for the length and if there was a similar thread to this one)
 
i live in texas too and am also a first time cham owner i well be watching to see what they say i have a glass cage with a mesh top and vents under the doors for air flow but im intrested in what they well say
 
chelsie said:
i live in texas too and am also a first time cham owner i well be watching to see what they say i have a glass cage with a mesh top and vents under the doors for air flow but im intrested in what they well say
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Chelsie, how long have you had your cham? and how's it doing in the glass cage?
 
i have had her for a month and a half she seems very happy she is a veiled and i was wonder what type of lighting and calcium dust do u have and what are u planing on feeding ur chamelon
 
her home is 18"x18"x30" u want something that is tall seeing as how chamelons like to be up in the trees and climb
 
I live in college station, so not very far from Houston and I use screen cages for my panther, veiled and Jacksons. I use glass for my carpet and pygmies. One of the reasons I will discourage glass for the bigger species is that they need big cages, at least 18x18x36" tall but preferably even bigger, and glass cages aren't found in those sizes easily. My panther is in that size and I think it's too small for him. But I have a huge outdoor cage for him to make up for it (even though right now he can only go out in the mornings and evenings). I don't think glass even helps that much with humidity from what I've seen in my cages. But what it does do is amplify heat like crazy. And in our heat when the sun hits the window in the same room, even though the cage is nowhere near that side, the glass cages heat up a lot. It's way more work making sure the glass cages stay cool than the screen cages staying humid. It's nearly impossible to have a good temperature gradient (which is really important) because any heat source will heat up the entire cage since the glass doesn't let any heat dissipate.

What I did to compensate for the summer a/c was wrap my screen cages with clear shower curtain on a few sides so they still got the benefit of good circulation but it retained humidity a little better. That was enough for the veiled and panther but not for the jacksons so I also use a humidifier that blows mist into the cage for 30 minutes every few hours throughout the day. Keeps humidity around 60% for him. And my setup all together is cheaper than just buying a single glass cage of adequate size. And if you're in Houston then you have higher natural humidity than I do! I say go with screen (diycges.com is great) and if you need to make modifications then there are some cheap, effective ways to do it. The shower curtain isn't even noticeable unless you're looking for it and the humidifier is under the cages behind a little curtain so it's a nice clean setup.
 
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WELCOME TEXAS RESIDENT!!!! I'm from Dallas haha so I know exactly what your asking and let me say that your reptile shop owner guy is WAY wrong for the area you live in... As the most humid, hot place in Texas, Houston+a glass enclosure would be the death sentence... I have two panthers both in mesh and the natural humidity here in Texas makes it EASY to keep humidity up in the cages, the temps however ARE the hard part in my book. One thing you will need to know is that during the summer if your AC isn't on while you are not home, test to see the ambient temperature your home reaches during the heat... Mine without AC reaches almost 85 during the day and in that case I will at times TURN THE BASKING LIGHT OFF!! But keep the UVB on at all times during the day cycle.. The basking light acts as a heat source which you already know, we do NOT need a lot of :p Back to humidity though if you end up having problems with humidity I found that ESPECIALLY during the summer months that you can simply open windows and let the air from outside come in, this will of course heat up the room VERY quickly which goes back to that no basking bulb thing :) But it will naturally raise the humidity in the cage. Also When it comes to taking your guys outside you will need to CONSTANTLY monitor them as my boys overheat in almost 10 minutes to the point of gaping and venting heat... But otherwise welcome and if you check out my friends list almost EVERY Texan on this site is there and there are definitely some from Houston :)
 
ferretinmyshoes said:
I live in college station, so not very far from Houston and I use screen cages for my panther, veiled and Jacksons. I use glass for my carpet and pygmies. One of the reasons I will discourage glass for the bigger species is that they need big cages, at least 18x18x36" tall but preferably even bigger, and glass cages aren't found in those sizes easily. My panther is in that size and I think it's too small for him. But I have a huge outdoor cage for him to make up for it (even though right now he can only go out in the mornings and evenings). I don't think glass even helps that much with humidity from what I've seen in my cages. But what it does do is amplify heat like crazy. And in our heat when the sun hits the window in the same room, even though the cage is nowhere near that side, the glass cages heat up a lot. It's way more work making sure the glass cages stay cool than the screen cages staying humid. It's nearly impossible to have a good temperature gradient (which is really important) because any heat source will heat up the entire cage since the glass doesn't let any heat dissipate.

What I did to compensate for the summer a/c was wrap my screen cages with clear shower curtain on a few sides so they still got the benefit of good circulation but it retained humidity a little better. That was enough for the veiled and panther but not for the jacksons so I also use a humidifier that blows mist into the cage for 30 minutes every few hours throughout the day. Keeps humidity around 60% for him. And my setup all together is cheaper than just buying a single glass cage of adequate size. And if you're in Houston then you have higher natural humidity than I do! I say go with screen (diycges.com is great) and if you need to make modifications then there are some cheap, effective ways to do it. The shower curtain isn't even noticeable unless you're looking for it and the humidifier is under the cages behind a little curtain so it's a nice clean setup.
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Wonderful reply! I will definitely be getting a screened cage now. And I love the shower curtain idea, very innovative. :)
 
seanUTD said:
WELCOME TEXAS RESIDENT!!!! I'm from Dallas haha so I know exactly what your asking and let me say that your reptile shop owner guy is WAY wrong for the area you live in... As the most humid, hot place in Texas, Houston+a glass enclosure would be the death sentence... I have two panthers both in mesh and the natural humidity here in Texas makes it EASY to keep humidity up in the cages, the temps however ARE the hard part in my book. One thing you will need to know is that during the summer if your AC isn't on while you are not home, test to see the ambient temperature your home reaches during the heat... Mine without AC reaches almost 85 during the day and in that case I will at times TURN THE BASKING LIGHT OFF!! But keep the UVB on at all times during the day cycle.. The basking light acts as a heat source which you already know, we do NOT need a lot of :p Back to humidity though if you end up having problems with humidity I found that ESPECIALLY during the summer months that you can simply open windows and let the air from outside come in, this will of course heat up the room VERY quickly which goes back to that no basking bulb thing :) But it will naturally raise the humidity in the cage. Also When it comes to taking your guys outside you will need to CONSTANTLY monitor them as my boys overheat in almost 10 minutes to the point of gaping and venting heat... But otherwise welcome and if you check out my friends list almost EVERY Texan on this site is there and there are definitely some from Houston :)
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Thanks for all the tips :) lol and trust me, the AC is never off here (its bad for your house :p) I plan on taking Norman outside too (I might get overheated before he does), so that was helpful as well. Texas people gotta stick together! :p
 
NormsWorld said:
Thanks for all the tips :) lol and trust me, the AC is never off here (its bad for your house :p) I plan on taking Norman outside too (I might get overheated before he does), so that was helpful as well. Texas people gotta stick together! :p
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Yes we do because what you'll find is all those Florida and Cali peeps will overcome you!! Plus along with people from a lot of areas like ours, Arizona, Nevada... Husbandry I've found tends to be slightly adjusted which is always a hassle if you need help because each situation is different, thats why I like to know all the Texas folk so I know who to ask!
 
Hello Texans... Lol add me up also to friends lists!!!!!

I bought my veiled chameleon from Eric at Ultimate Reptiles this past Monday.... I also followed their instructions.... Like many posts in here, pet shop owners decide to instruct things that works for them as they just keep the animals for a few weeks.... I'm in the process of building a mesh cage for my chameleon... But that's only my fault as I was never well informed about how to keep a chameleon. Anyway, Welcome to the forum and if there's anything I can do to help, let me know!
 
chino said:
Hello Texans... Lol add me up also to friends lists!!!!!

I bought my veiled chameleon from Eric at Ultimate Reptiles this past Monday.... I also followed their instructions.... Like many posts in here, pet shop owners decide to instruct things that works for them as they just keep the animals for a few weeks.... I'm in the process of building a mesh cage for my chameleon... But that's only my fault as I was never well informed about how to keep a chameleon. Anyway, Welcome to the forum and if there's anything I can do to help, let me know!
Click to expand...
yeah I was a bit skeptical when he said to get a glass cage, then he brought me over to the tanks and showed me what I thought was a fish aquarium. Well besides that I love the store! I'm just waiting for a new batch of panthers to come in. You're lucky to be pretty close to there new location!! It takes me an hour to get there!
 
NormsWorld said:
yeah I was a bit skeptical when he said to get a glass cage, then he brought me over to the tanks and showed me what I thought was a fish aquarium. Well besides that I love the store! I'm just waiting for a new batch of panthers to come in. You're lucky to be pretty close to there new location!! It takes me an hour to get there!
Click to expand...

Well I'm not "that" close... When I call for the ebst way to get there Eric told me that is only 35mins from Fry Rd.... Well is not, is like an 1hr15mins at least... But yeah, store is great, just need to fix the cages things. Do read a lot and educate yourself from here so you can get all your supplies and needs at the same day you get your new Panther!
 
I am in NW Houston. I may have some alternatives on cages and even a chameleon if someone is interested. Send me a PM.
Thanks,
CRBeery
 
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