Exo Terra enclosures for panthers? And a re-purposed Petco habitat?

[MantisFTW]

So, long story long....

A Petco in the next town over was replacing their habitats. We got the tip from a buddy, and went to go pick up their old "iguana" enclosure. Now we are trying to figure out what to put in it. Its a pretty sweet huge enclosure, approx the same size as a 36x36x18 Exo Terra but slightly larger, and a hex shape.The sides are all glass but the top is mesh and the doors aren't completely airtight, allowing for some extra airflow. Pic is provided.

I REALLY want to put a new panther cham in this thing, specifically a Nosy Be, but the boyfriend wants to upgrade his frilled lizards enclosure and use it for that. Its a current ongoing battle figuring out what to do with this sweet enclosure.

What I want to do is first make sure that this enclosure could support a cham, being that it has glass sides. I feel like this topic has become more controversial rather than "glass strictly being the devil" these days. What would YOU use this enclosure for? Is it cham safe?

Now, we are of course trying to compromise, too. If he uses the petco hex for his frilled, he said he would help me buy a 36x36x18 Exo Terra for a cham if I wanted one. However, im difficult and really only want to get a new cham if I can use this particular habitat, the enclosure kind of makes the deal for me. And also the question stands, is an Exo Terra appropriate for a cham as well if I choose to accept this deal?
(I also told him I would help HIM buy an Exo Terra for his frilled if I could use the hex habitat lol)

I know screen cages are the ideal, however Ive "been there done that" so to say, and they are a nightmare for me when it comes to misting and drainage, water just gets everywhere. Im loving the idea of glass enclosures IF I can find one that has proper ventilation for chams.

 

[jamest0o0]

It'd be too small for an adult panther. Do you mean the height is only 18 inches? These guys need a lot of room to move and the height should be at least 4 feet for a full grown.

Screen really isn't the ideal, it all depends on where you live and what the humidity is like. You don't want stagnant air that never moves.

Edit: also knowing petco they probably had animals with parasites in there. I'd clean it hydrogen peroxide 12 % solution at least.

 

[werecat]

As stated above glass might work for you depending on where you live and the ambient temps and humidity. I will say that the exo terra enclosures have one added benefit over this particular cage which is that they come with a ventilation strip along the lower front of the cage below the door. If you are concerned about ventilation then you might choose the exo since it was designed with ventilation in mind. Basically as air escapes out of the screen top, fresh air gets sucked in through that ventilation strip.

Drainage is also a concern. With a glass cage you will need to either adjust the amount you mist or create a way to drain excess water.

The dimensions you listed are fine for a panther. With this size it will be very heavy though!

I think the chameleon breeder podcast has an episode about using glass cages. You should do some research but it might work fine for you.

 

[jamest0o0]

@werecat I agree with most of what you said, but male panthers need at the very least 2x2x4(feet) generally speaking. What's mentioned here would be way too small IMO. Not trying to argue though, just based off my readings and experience. Maybe look into dragonstrand clearsided enclosure?

 

[werecat]

@werecat I agree with most of what you said, but male panthers need at the very least 2x2x4(feet) generally speaking. What's mentioned here would be way too small IMO. Not trying to argue though, just based off my readings and experience. Maybe look into dragonstrand clearsided enclosure?

The op mentioned a 3' x 3' x 18". I've found that chameleons really use that extra width which I feel makes up for the slightly shorter height. It's actually similar dimensions to the Dragonstrand medium atrium cage. Obviously bigger is always better! I also agree that the Dragonstrand clear sided and breeder cages might be a good fit for the op.

 

[jamest0o0]

Yeah I see where you're coming from, I was a little thrown off with the dimensions being listed backwards lol. I agree big time on the extra width, personally I think it should larger than the min. Recommended on many care sheets. My Chams run up and down their free ranges. The one is 6 feet by 2 and a half feet and it still seems small for how much he uses it. Every inch of it he explores.