Few questions from a new owner

[Skillfulmmd]

Hi, first time posting here so hopefully this is the right place for the post.

I got my first Panther chameleons Boris today and after doing a lot of digging but I still have a few questions.

1. Do i need to leave my dripper on all night
2. Should I leave my heat Lamp on overnight
3. What should I be feeding a three month old panther I've tried crickets and meal worms but he won't eat either.

I'm also worried he's lacking in something he turned up today by courier I'd say about a 3 hour trip so maybe this is why. But he was almost pure white and wasn't moving much. He's been sat bear the lights and heat lamp all night so I assume he needs it.im just worried he's not eating or drinking.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Paige21. Chameleon]

Your heat lamp doesn't need to be on at night chameleons are used to a temperature drop at night. Is your Heat lamp 5 to 7 inches off from the habitat??? I don't know about the dripper because I don't use one. I also don't have a Panther. However are you guys loading your crickets? Also are you dusting your mealworms and crickets?

 

[kinyonga]

No dripper or misting at night...you want the cage to have time to dry out.
No lights on at night. If the room drops below 60 and you want to have some heat use a ceramic heat emitter.
Crickets is usually main feeder at that age. Fruit flies might still be ok depending on it's size. You can use small superworms, BSFL, small silkworms, etc.

If you answer the questions below we can see how things are set up and see if we can figure out an answer...
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/how-to-ask-for-help.66/

 

[Skillfulmmd]

Chameleon Info:

• Your Chameleon - Panther Cham, around 3 months old, got him yesterday
• Handling - Haven't yet let him settle in.
• Feeding - So far i've tried mealworms and small hoppers due to his size but haven't seen him eat yet (tried via free roaming)
• Supplements - I've got zoomed calcium with and without d3 and the reptivite as well haven't had a chance to use this much as the length I've had him is so short.
• Watering - Viv is misted twice daily and have a Zoomed little dripper running throughout the day.
• Fecal Description - Haven't seen any from him yet but i've been at work all day so that may change later.

Cage Info:

• Cage Type - I've got a Large Exoterra glass viv at the moment I don't know the size or model but can check when im in.
• Lighting - He has two arcadia UVB bulbs one is 7% uvb and the other is 10% uvb he is using a ceramic bulb for heat.
• Temperature - he has an ambient temp of around 70 F - 80 F and basking is 80 F - 90 F
• Humidity - using a dual sensor and humidity has two spikes around 70-80% in the morning and afternoon and its around 50%
• Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind? - one medium size umbrella plant and one ficus benjiminia
• Placement - On a unit away from drafts or other distractions.
• Location - South coast of England

Current Problem - Chan isnt eating and I am yet to see him drink.

 

[Syreptyon]

I would recommend trying cup feeding so you can monitor exactly how many feeders you put in and how many are left at the end of the day. It is common for chameleons to refuse to eat and drink while being watched, especially when they're still new to you, so make sure to give him space.

 

[kinyonga]

How long does the mister run for each time? Dripper? Chameleons are slow to start drinking so the sessions need to be long enough to wake them up to it!

You said..."He has two arcadia UVB bulbs one is 7% uvb and the other is 10% uvb he is using a ceramic bulb for heat"...I only use one UVB light and have for many many years...a 5.0 Repti-sun long linear tube light. I use a regular white incandescent household bulb for a basking light. I don't think the ceramic heater works as a basking heat...chameleons are looking for the light/brightness to be a place to get warm. Does he sit near the ceramic heat emitter?

If you get him drinking and he's still not eating please post again .

 

[Paige21. Chameleon]

My Jacksons like a thirty second Mistimg every four hour, and then around 6pm I let him have a 2-5 minute mist to clean his eyelids and to get a drink. You just need to experiment to see what your Chameleon likes.