Lights at nighttime?

[Lostzen71]

Hey y'all, so I am a soon to be panther chameleon owner , and I've been doing my research and getting supplies and working to get the enclosure right. I am SO glad I found this site, as I am learning so much from reading all you guys' experience.

I have a question about where to put my enclosure that is best for my cham, but also enjoyable for me. I live alone in a 2 br apartment with a cat. How much of an issue is it if the enclosure is exposed to some low lighting and tv in the background after his lights go out? I'm thinking a 7a-7p light cycle is probably what I will do. If he's in the dining room (attached to the living room) and I'm up for a few more hours is that going to be an issue??

The other option is the spare bedroom. I could just close the door and it would be completely dark in there, but that also would be less I would see him. I thought about my bedroom, but the same issue with lights.

any suggestions?

 

[Kristen Wilkins]

Hey y'all, so I am a soon to be panther chameleon owner , and I've been doing my research and getting supplies and working to get the enclosure right. I am SO glad I found this site, as I am learning so much from reading all you guys' experience.

I have a question about where to put my enclosure that is best for my cham, but also enjoyable for me. I live alone in a 2 br apartment with a cat. How much of an issue is it if the enclosure is exposed to some low lighting and tv in the background after his lights go out? I'm thinking a 7a-7p light cycle is probably what I will do. If he's in the dining room (attached to the living room) and I'm up for a few more hours is that going to be an issue??

The other option is the spare bedroom. I could just close the door and it would be completely dark in there, but that also would be less I would see him. I thought about my bedroom, but the same issue with lights.

any suggestions?

We have 2 of my babies in our living room . We live in a 2 bedroom condo . When our lights go out we will go in the bedroom or out side . Our son and 3 other babies reside in our sons room . Our babies have no problem with being in the living room .

 

[Lostzen71]

Cool! I'd much prefer to have him out in view than hidden in the spare room, but don't want to start off badly by having him in a location where it's gonna be stressing him out.

I also don't want to set him up and then have to move him before he even gets settled!

 

[Lostzen71]

We have 2 of my babies in our living room . We live in a 2 bedroom condo . When our lights go out we will go in the bedroom or out side . Our son and 3 other babies reside in our sons room . Our babies have no problem with being in the living room .

Thanks!

 

[kinyonga]

I'd be more concerned about the cat than the low lightening.

 

[Kristen Wilkins]

I'd be more concerned about the cat than the low lightening.

I was Just going to ask about the cat ?

 

[Kristen Wilkins]

Thanks!

Welcome

 

[Lostzen71]

I was Just going to ask about the cat ?

I'd be more concerned about the cat than the low lightening.

I figured I might get some heat about the cat . She spends the majority of her time out on the balcony, and to be honest she's not the most observant cat in the world. I wonder if she will even notice him inside the enclosure. It's definitely something I will monitor! If necessary, I thought I could get one of those privacy screens, and block off when I'm not there.

 

[jamest0o0]

Give tons of foliage to retreat to. They will more than likely get used to whatever they are around, but it might be stressful at first. My chams.hated my cats, they have finally started to ignore them. Large free ranges and plants have helped this though

 

[Redlegtu]

Instead of 7a-7p, why not change it to 9a-9p. The late light start would similate dawn with natural day light into your room......and when you are home in the evening you can still enjoy and observe your chameleon before "lights out" for the both of you.

 

[Lostzen71]

Give tons of foliage to retreat to. They will more than likely get used to whatever they are around, but it might be stressful at first. My chams.hated my cats, they have finally started to ignore them. Large free ranges and plants have helped this though

Great! I just bought 4 live plants today. I will re-pot them and clean before installing. I also got a couple fake plants to help fill up space while these grow some more.

 

[Lostzen71]

Instead of 7a-7p, why not change it to 9a-9p. The late light start would similate dawn with natural day light into your room......and when you are home in the evening you can still enjoy and observe your chameleon before "lights out" for the both of you.

I love that! Great idea!

Here are my plants. 1 schefflera, 2 pornos (1 silver, 1 gold), and 1warneckii

 

[Kristen Wilkins]

Awesome just be sure to give them a good wash .

 

[Lostzen71]

Okay. How about soil? I assume just straight potting soil, no fertilizers added?

Awesome just be sure to give them a good wash .

 

[Lostzen71]

Okay. How about soil? I assume just straight potting soil, no fertilizers added?

Or is it okay to leave them in the current soil and cover w/ rocks?

 

[Kristen Wilkins]

Or is it okay to leave them in the current soil and cover w/ rocks?

I usually do maybe 3 inches with new potting soil after washing foliage . Then cover with stone .

 

[Lostzen71]

I love that! Great idea!

Here are my plants. 1 schefflera, 2 pornos (1 silver, 1 gold), and 1warneckiiView attachment 182817

Those are NOT pornos! Sorry folks, that would be a different site. Pothos

 

[jamest0o0]

New soil would be good. If there are chunks in the soil(rocks, sticks, bark, etc.) cover it. If it is fine particles throughout you don't have to, but can if you want. I like to add playsand for added drainage if using regular top soil. Fertilizers aren't really a problem, but I would go with organic. The idea is to just avoid the cham choking on anything. As mentioned give them a cleaning with soap and/or vinegar.

 

[Lostzen71]

I usually do maybe 3 inches with new potting soil after washing foliage . Then cover with stone .

New soil would be good. If there are chunks in the soil(rocks, sticks, bark, etc.) cover it. If it is fine particles throughout you don't have to, but can if you want. I like to add playsand for added drainage if using regular top soil. Fertilizers aren't really a problem, but I would go with organic. The idea is to just avoid the cham choking on anything. As mentioned give them a cleaning with soap and/or vinegar.

Thanks for the advice. I will post some pics when I finish. I ordered a set of Dragon ledges to fit my 18x18x36 Reptibreeze, so as soon as they arrive I'll be putting it all together.

 

[Lostzen71]

Thanks for the advice. I will post some pics when I finish. I ordered a set of Dragon ledges to fit my 18x18x36 Reptibreeze, so as soon as they arrive I'll be putting it all together.

I fully intend to upgrade to a larger enclosure in a few months. Then I figure this one will be a good home for his girlfriend!