My New Guy and Supplementation

[mlw50]

Hello everyone. Got back from the reptile show about an hour ago, where I picked up my first chameleon: an ambanja panther. He's about 3.5 months old. The moment I put him in he started drinking. I put a few crickets in a cup, and he has eyed them up, but not eaten them yet. Supplement wise, I intended to buy all repcal brand, as they've had it at these shows in the past. However, they only had the multivitamin and the d3 calcium. So for the without d3 calcium, i purchased repti calcium. Is that alright? Anyways, here are some pictures of the man.

 

[mlw50]

So he dangled above the cup, thinking about shooting at the cricket, for about 5 minutes, and he's just been exploring the cage ever since. One peculiar thing i noticed is he bit one of the vines as if he was trying to eat it.

 

[sandrachameleon]

He's nice. Its normal for them not to eat right away. Put just one or two crickets in the cup at once, and he'll probably find it easier to get used to it. That he is already drinking is good, he probably was a little dehydrated from at the show.
The brand of plain calcium doesnt matter, so long as it is just plain phos free calcium. I use rep-cal products as well, they're fine. The D3 is quite heavy, so dont use it too often.

 

[serenitystarlite]

He's so cute! I almost bought his brother today but decided to hold off on another panther because I think I want a montium

 

[bimac6]

He's charming

It always makes me happy when I see a new poster, or a first time owner of a chameleon has done some research before they buy one, well done !

 

[mlw50]

Serenity, you should've his one brother was SOOOO blue and extremely docile. And his other one was starting to show some nice barring aswell.

The cup was cricketless around 7 tonight, so either it somehow escaped or he chowed down. He also went to the bathroom. His urates looked a bit dehydrated but he was steadily drinking all day.

 

[ajacobson]

Wow, he's gorgeous! I'm a softie for blue chams! I'm dying for a Nosy Be!

Congrats on the new addition.

 

[Elizadolots]

He's so pretty! I look forward to pictures of him as he grows.

 

[mlw50]

Thanks everyone. He ate two crickets yesterday. However, I keep seeing him chew on the schefflera. I thought that wasn't typicaly of panthers?
also, when he basks, he get REALLY dark, is that typical for babies?

 

[jr andrade]

when chameleons are introduced to new foliage they tend to test it out, thats why its important to have safe nonpoisenous plants in the enclosure him eating at the plants is TOTALLY normal

 

[jr andrade]

its typical of the morning time such a small body needs ALOT of heat considering itll lose heat quickly so it being very black is normal, iit can also be a outcome of very cold nights

 

[Texas Panther Man]

Just make sure your your basking temp is right around 83 and keep the little guy well hydrated. Maybe give him a nice lukewarm shower in a cpl of days after he gets acclimated a little more. Put his plant in the shower for 20-30 min let the water bounce off the shoer wall and hit plant. Make sure its lukewarm not cold or too hot.

 

[mlw50]

How long typically before they will start eating? He ate two yesterday, but wouldn't eat if i was in sight. He has show interest in the crickets in the cup today, but never shoots for them.

 

[Clifford]

He's nice lookin
Can ake a few days to settle in dont worry