Intrested in getting a Panther Chameleon

[Escalade]

Well I've been reading info on them for about a week now and have always been interested in chameleons so I think I'm ready to get one. I used to own a Red Tailed Boa so I do have some reptile experience.

I just have a few questions


1) My room is in a basement that has limited air flow, will this be a problem?

2) How big of a cage is suitable for an adult Panther Cham?

3) Do their cages get really smelly, how often should I clean it?

4) How often should I feed my Panther Cham?

5) Do they need a light/heat source during nightime? The temp in my room stays at about 65-75 degrees but in the winter could get lower.

Thanks for your time.

Edit: Any recommendations for a site to purchase Panther Chameleons? (I live in the US)

 

[Meow Kitty]

smallest adult cage is 2ft x 2ft x 4ft also the cages dont get 2 smelly also u do have to keep there cage at a warmish temp at night

 

[Elizadolots]

Hi!

You should look at the info in these two threads: https://www.chameleonforums.com/basic-husbandry-38769/ and https://www.chameleonforums.com/general-care-true-chameleons-5943/

2x2x4ft high is sort of the "normal" size.

I don't think the lack of airflow is a big issue. If you can get enough oxygen, it should be okay for your chameleon. The lights and cage make up will create "airflow" in the enclosure (which is important). However, I might be wrong on that and hopefully someone with more experience will jump in on that.

Cages do not get smelly if you're doing it right and your animal is healthy. Having good drainage is critical to that so make sure you've worked that out before you get the chameleon.

How often you feed varies with age. If you get a baby or juvenile, every day, if you have an adult, every other day, or 3 times a week....

As long as your room doesn't get much below 60 at night, your chameleon will do better without an extra heat source. If your room does get "breath foggy cold" then you should provide some heat. There are ceramic heaters that can heat a small area without adding light. Your chameleon will do best if it gets a nice dark night, so not "night lights".

Check the forum sponsors for good sellers.

 

[KatiLemons]

Well I've been reading info on them for about a week now and have always been interested in chameleons so I think I'm ready to get one. I used to own a Red Tailed Boa so I do have some reptile experience.

I just have a few questions


1) My room is in a basement that has limited air flow, will this be a problem?
This shouldn't be a problem. Chameleons just need open air cages because they can be sensitive to bacteria and such. They also need a high humidity level and this can be kind of tricky with all screen cages. You just have to have the right misting schedule and a dripper.

2) How big of a cage is suitable for an adult Panther Cham?
2ft x 2ft x 4ft is good for an adult.

3) Do their cages get really smelly, how often should I clean it?
They dont get smelly BUT you have to clean them on a regular basis.

4) How often should I feed my Panther Cham?
If its an adult you should feed him/her 8 crickets every other day with the proper supplements aswell and the feeders also should have the a good gutload.

5) Do they need a light/heat source during nightime? The temp in my room stays at about 65-75 degrees but in the winter could get lower.
Chameleons are used to temperature changes of about 10-15ish degrees at night. So the low 70's is ok and you shouldnt need a light but if it gets lower than 70 I would probably include a light or turn the heat up. You also might want to think about heat cable if you dont want a light.Thanks for your time.

Edit: Any recommendations for a site to purchase Panther Chameleons? (I live in the US)

I hope this helped and WELCOME to the forums. This place is filled with TONS of great info for anyone from beginner to expert chameleon keeper. I am goin to reccomend Chamalot Chameleons. I have got both my chams from them and they are awesome. Great tempraments and some really good lookin chams too.

 

[allencg101]

Well I've been reading info on them for about a week now and have always been interested in chameleons so I think I'm ready to get one. I used to own a Red Tailed Boa so I do have some reptile experience.

I just have a few questions


1) My room is in a basement that has limited air flow, will this be a problem?

2) How big of a cage is suitable for an adult Panther Cham?

3) Do their cages get really smelly, how often should I clean it?

4) How often should I feed my Panther Cham?

5) Do they need a light/heat source during nightime? The temp in my room stays at about 65-75 degrees but in the winter could get lower.

Thanks for your time.

Edit: Any recommendations for a site to purchase Panther Chameleons? (I live in the US)

1 no you should be good if your worried get a fan

2 a 2x2x4 foot cage is ideal for a male panther if you can free range everyday or every other day and space is limited then an 18"18"36" sill suffice depending on the size if you get male if female that cage is perfect for the little lady

3 my chams don't smell you can spot clean like every other day or when needed most chams like mine poop in one spot so cleaning is easy and I use paper towels so when needed i just remove them

4 I feed my babies everyday and twice a day i'll give them 10-15 2 week old crickets and in the evening i hand feed silks 3-4 depending how many they go for juvies and adults i feed every other day. with every morning feeding dust with calcium w/o D3 seeing your up north like me i dust with calcium with D3 once a week and reptivite vitamins once every other week. also i mist my chams cages 3 times a day for about 30 seconds. never mist the cham itself unless he/she goes to the water while being misted two of my chams love being misted the others hate it.

5 65-75 at night is ideal for temps so keep it like that if your worried about temp get a indoor heater and set it for that temp. or get a black light heat lamp my chams will sleep if i leave their lights on at night or not. anymore info just ask.

and seeing your from ma i'd go with screameleons they are almost next door to you. they have awesome deals with set ups with baby chams also remember the rule of chams is like that of a tattoo good tats aren't cheap cheap tats aren't good!!!

 

[TheSeymoursDOTcom]

Well I've been reading info on them for about a week now and have always been interested in chameleons so I think I'm ready to get one. I used to own a Red Tailed Boa so I do have some reptile experience.

I just have a few questions


1) My room is in a basement that has limited air flow, will this be a problem?

2) How big of a cage is suitable for an adult Panther Cham?

3) Do their cages get really smelly, how often should I clean it?

4) How often should I feed my Panther Cham?

5) Do they need a light/heat source during nightime? The temp in my room stays at about 65-75 degrees but in the winter could get lower.

Thanks for your time.

Edit: Any recommendations for a site to purchase Panther Chameleons? (I live in the US)

1: no

2: 24x24x48or2x2x4 is the rec size for adult panther

3: cleaning - no substrate on botttom use paper towels to wick up or etc - read more

4: feeding varies on age of cham- youll need to gutload & supplement-read more

5: no light at night they need as much darkness to sleep- heating if needed ceramic heat emitter but safe distance - read more

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4:

 

[suzi]

If the room that the chameleon is in drops below 60 at night, you are better off with a ceramic heater that does not emit light

 

[racerfreak]

1) Your basement should be fine if you can live in it

2) its best to just get a 2'x2'x4' cage/ supplies from lllreptile.com

3) I haven't noticed a smell and clean it as often as you can IMO. Also crickets are smelly but if you feed them properly and keep them clean they wont smell too bad, by properly I mean make your own guload. There are plenty of youtube videos and ect, i prefer using fruits and vegtables and ect over soy.

4) I say feed every day or some say 6 times a week

5) They need a basking light for the day, a 5.0 uvb light and you should be fine for your night temps as long as your day temps stay between 75 and 80.

Go to Kammerflage Kreations (chameleonsonly.com), nicest people I have ever delt with who really care. It was worth every penny I spent, felt I got more bang for my buck even after my little incident

 

[allencg101]

One more thing seeing your in the basement and those tend to get pretty hot in the summer time make sure you moniter the temps at all times cause they are from africa and surrounding areas they are not use to high temps especially being in the states. if need be do what i do cause my cham room gets pretty hot use an ac i got one of those big ones that you place on your floor and put the hose in the window and keep it blowing at 65 during the day cause all that light can produce alot of heat and the temps stay around 80 all day long with the ac blowing full speed.

 

[heartben]

my basement doesnt get super hot in the summer... heat rises.

anyways youve gotten good answers. im in the basement and i havent had a problem. for winter i plan to just use some little heaters if i need to boost the temps a bit at night. i have a couple that have thermostats built in so i (or you if you are worried and buy one) can dial in a max temp.

as far as where to buy you have to consider your price range and go from there. i dont believe you have to pay a lot to get a really nice chameleon, but in some instances you might have to be patient. buy from someone who answers your questions...who you feel comfortable with. i found that a lot of people and places didnt respond to my emails very well or even at all in some instances.

i hope i see a "just ordered my first cham" thread from you soon! good luck.

 

[Escalade]

thanks for all the replys guys this has really helped me alot