My New Panther (First Reptile)

[Neoki]

Hello,

I have been to a reptile shop called Wigglies in Bletchly UK and bought the attached setup

I am new to all of this and from my research I require a flowing water dispenser and also a mist machine/rain machine.

I am aware that the Vivi is small and will require changing in a year so suggestions please and do comment on Jeffery

 

[carol5208]

welcome to forums and congrats on your cute little panther! I would like to make some suggestions if I may. You mentioned a larger cage after a year, at a year he will be far too big for that set up. More like 6 months he will need a larger one. Secondly, he needs way more branches and vines for walkways. Substrate(the wood in the bottom) is not recomended as if your chameleon shoots for prey, he could injest the wood(it happens). Also, it will get wet and breed bacteria, and is a place for feeders to burrow. I noticed you have a purple light? Atleast that is what it looks like. If that is your basking light, you should switch that out for with a white housebulb. Try a 40 watt for starters and shoot for about a 85-90(tops) basking temp. Also, do you have the correct uvb light? What about supplements and are you gutloading your feeders?

 

[Neoki]

I have Nutrobal and the kit has the following

Exo Terra 30x30x45cm Terrarium

Exo Terra Single Canopy

Exo Terra 5.0 Compact UV Bulb

5l Orchid Bark

Komodo Spray Bottle

Waterbowl

Exo Terra Rainforest Heat Mat

Zoo Med Reptisafe

Vetark Nutrobal

Zoo Med Large Hanging Plant

What would you recommend for the bottom instead of the bark?

 

[Davonat]

Just use paper towels.... also get some Repashy Calcium Plus , the 1 with the Geko on the front its good stuff and all you should need for now You will need a dripper too. Also for starters feed your crix Repashy Bug burger... You can make your own mix later if you want. But this should get you going and he will do well with it Also important!..... Welcome!! All of us here will help you and your new little Panther. Whats his name? & are you sure its a he? If not there will be other conciderations to be made

 

[JackP308]

I have Nutrobal and the kit has the following

Exo Terra 30x30x45cm Terrarium

Exo Terra Single Canopy

Exo Terra 5.0 Compact UV Bulb

5l Orchid Bark

Komodo Spray Bottle

Zoo Med Large Hanging Plant

What would you recommend for the bottom instead of the bark?

Id cut out few other things like heat mat and other things i left out of the quote that is really not needed.
For the Bottom using cage like that I would definitely use a
layer of expanded clay balls 1-2 inches and some coco fiber the stuff its in brick and expands in water or they sell it already ready to go as coco. or the bark would work but I wouldn't want him shooting chunks of bark you need some type of drainage layer. The clay balls are sold overpriced at pet stores or you can find it usually at garden Hydroponic supply stores. Goes by usually hydroton or Leca balls. Zoo med also has small bags.

Most don't recommend substrate but when using a terrarium I think its a must. Screen cages are different. You can search around see whats works best for you but between mistings you'll have a lake in no time without substrate in there. Also you won't need to mist as much as the water seems to stay on leaves more with better humidity and condensation.
Heres an example of what I had explained.

 

[millsamus]

@ Jack what chameleons do u keep in the glass cages?? I would like to put some in my terrariums but not sure what species ( i know pgymies can be in glass terraiums) would fit best in there. Like the idea of the clay balls. Is that peat moss above it?

 

[Solid Snake]

Id cut out few other things like heat mat and other things i left out of the quote that is really not needed.
For the Bottom using cage like that I would definitely use a
layer of expanded clay balls 1-2 inches and some coco fiber the stuff its in brick and expands in water or they sell it already ready to go as coco. or the bark would work but I wouldn't want him shooting chunks of bark you need some type of drainage layer. The clay balls are sold overpriced at pet stores or you can find it usually at garden Hydroponic supply stores. Goes by usually hydroton or Leca balls. Zoo med also has small bags.

Most don't recommend substrate but when using a terrarium I think its a must. Screen cages are different. You can search around see whats works best for you but between mistings you'll have a lake in no time without substrate in there. Also you won't need to mist as much as the water seems to stay on leaves more with better humidity and condensation.
Heres an example of what I had explained.

You really like your pepsi!
Im also a fan

To OP:
Welcome, its good to have you and Jeffery aboard
I agree with carol that he needs other climbing surfaces. The ones you have in there are fine to leave, but they are mostly to large, or small for him. Sticks and vines frome outside are great. Thats what I use. So add a few of them.
You dont NEED a misting system, but it makes your life ALOT easier.
For now, just mist him 3 times a day, a few minutes at a time. This gives him drinking water and raises humidity. The water dish is only useful for maybe catching the water from a dripper.
At any rate, you will need to deal with the water you put in the cage.
You can go with what jack suggested, or you can drill through the bottom to drain it, or break the bottom out completely and put another easier to drill surface, like pvc or plexiglass, and drill through that. Those are the ways Ive seen people deal with it anyway. Ask whatever questions you may have, and again, welcome to CF!

 

[coldbloodedAL]

@ Jack what chameleons do u keep in the glass cages?? I would like to put some in my terrariums but not sure what species ( i know pgymies can be in glass terraiums) would fit best in there. Like the idea of the clay balls. Is that peat moss above it?

A lot of the smaller montane species are kept in glass(I have a jackson that i keep in a Large glass viv). You could keep almost any species in a glass viv if you want to fork out the $$$ for the larger ones.

 

[millsamus]

A lot of the smaller montane species are kept in glass(I have a jackson that i keep in a Large glass viv). You could keep almost any species in a glass viv if you want to fork out the $$$ for the larger ones.

I inherited a huge tank from a friend, already made it a pgymy ready setup. Just need the chameleons! Now I wish i had a small exoterra

 

[Neoki]

Well I will be going to the Japanese Koi Company tomorrow to buy the dual canopy so I can get rid of the compact lights and then I worry about the night time with the heat.

Are the thermostats helpful?

 

[Davonat]

Well I will be going to the Japanese Koi Company tomorrow to buy the dual canopy so I can get rid of the compact lights and then I worry about the night time with the heat.

Are the thermostats helpful?

You dont need night time heat, unless your house gets under 60 degrees. Set his basking light so the temp on his branch is 80-85 degrees. I dont use a thermostat.... but others may.

 

[Neoki]

I have changed the night glow with another UVB compact and purchased a clamp lamp with the Glow inside and placed a 40w bulb in that.

Will upload some new pics soon