New Ambilobe Panther owner looking for right setup

[SteveH]

What lighting would you use for heat then? In a X-Large reptibreeze 24x24x48? And should I close up maybe two sides with plastic possibly if it’s too cold in there or not enough humidity. I’m assuming a lot is trial and error until getting it just right.

I use 65w indoor floodlights non LED for my basking bulbs. I cover the back of all my enclosures and depending on the humidity and temps I cover another side or two. Here's a great guide for all numbers you want to achieve.

 

[elizaann2]

Velcro some coroplast sheets on the sides.
Get a heat lamp dome from Petco or the like and put a 40 watt or 60 watt incandescent bulb in there. You will need a temperature probe to measure the heat at the branch. And actually measure above the branch where the highest point on your chameleon will be above that branch, like their head or their back. This is an expensive hobby FYI.

Expect to spend about $1K on the setup and then the chameleon, and then their healthcare costs a lot of money.

Truth. Thank you for speaking to that piece. I think its not thought about or missed a lot. Proper care and healthcare for these guys is pretty pricy.

 

[SteveH]

I forgot to mention the importance of a fogger/humidifier for the higher humidity they need at night.

 

[elizaann2]

I shopped for items off of this list from the Chameleon Academy. I dont know about you but getting all the right equipment was very overwhelming to me so it was nice to be able to refer to this list. You can click on the images and it will send you to the link on Amazon as well to make it even easier.

https://chameleonacademy.com/chameleon-cage-shopping-list/

 

[CryptKeeper]

I shopped for items off of this list from the Chameleon Academy. I dont know about you but getting all the right equipment was very overwhelming to me so it was nice to be able to refer to this list. You can click on the images and it will send you to the link on Amazon as well to make it even easier.

https://chameleonacademy.com/chameleon-cage-shopping-list/

This is perfect! Thanks so much

 

[CryptKeeper]

I forgot to mention the importance of a fogger/humidifier for the higher humidity they need at night.

Ah didn’t know that either. So use a fogger at night ? Placed near bottom middle of cage?

 

[SteveH]

Ah didn’t know that either. So use a fogger at night ? Placed near bottom middle of cage?

Reptifoggers seem to be a hit or miss in getting a good on. I like the one from Pets Pioneer, it's a top fill humidifier for convenience. Fog from the top.

 

[Gingero]

Couple things… I’d encourage you to research CB Reptiles as a breeder. You can look them up on these forums and see that some people have had very very poor experiences buying from them. Who you buy from is VERY important. https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/cb-reptile.189750/

And not to add to the resources but this shopping list is condensed and easy to navigate to help you find what you need (including live plants) You’re off to a great start! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sAESGOC5N8sU1Sv6d4ln5UELk35ycCeNL9vy-EcxNoY/edit?usp=sharing

 

[CryptKeeper]

Reptifoggers seem to be a hit or miss in getting a good on. I like the one from Pets Pioneer, it's a top fill humidifier for convenience. Fog from the top.

Funny I’m listening to the podcast sent above mentioning that

 

[CryptKeeper]

Couple things… I’d encourage you to research CB Reptiles as a breeder. You can look them up on these forums and see that some people have had very very poor experiences buying from them. Who you buy from is VERY important. https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/cb-reptile.189750/

And not to add to the resources but this shopping list is condensed and easy to navigate to help you find what you need (including live plants) You’re off to a great start! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sAESGOC5N8sU1Sv6d4ln5UELk35ycCeNL9vy-EcxNoY/edit?usp=

 

[CryptKeeper]

Oh lord I happen to find the one breeder that has negative reviews here lol

 

[CryptKeeper]

Couple things… I’d encourage you to research CB Reptiles as a breeder. You can look them up on these forums and see that some people have had very very poor experiences buying from them. Who you buy from is VERY important. https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/cb-reptile.189750/

And not to add to the resources but this shopping list is condensed and easy to navigate to help you find what you need (including live plants) You’re off to a great start! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sAESGOC5N8sU1Sv6d4ln5UELk35ycCeNL9vy-EcxNoY/edit?usp=sharing

I read some good reviews at first and why I bought from them. People saying they clearly could tell they handle the animals a lot and we’re always healthy etc. I see mixed reviews ugh well I ordered from him already bc he is having the Cham hand picked for the best one of the batch that’s arriving in jersey tomorrow from Florida (so he says) and sending it direct to me instead of Florida-jersey-me ugh hope he’s healthy that’ll be a shame to have wasted money and have the little guy not make it if he’s sick. Hopefully I get lucky and he’s nice and healthy. Hate seeing some people only out for money rather than the animals. Although he seemed very helpful and insightful. We’ll see I’ll keep everyone posted.

Btw I have a large repti breeze setup for the Jackson I was gonna get from pet store. But learned more since then so I’ll house the ambilobe in there until I get the bigger one setup with the right equipment. Right now I just have a cheap Amazon mister (seems to work well but it’s not a fine mist seems like too much water) and the lights and bunch of fake plants and vines for now.

 

[elizaann2]

Oh lord I happen to find the one breeder that has negative reviews here lol

There is more than one. Don't feel bad. If you didn't already purchase the little guy below is a list of fantastic breeders that do it right because they love the animal. If I was looking for a panther I would buy from one of these guys.

iPardalis
Frams Chams
Kamerflage Kreations

You want to shop for QUALITY of chameleon and its care vs price.

Lastly, if you are new at this I would probably not do bioactive to start with. I would recommend Bill Strand's strategy for enclosure set up so you have a clean bottom. (Read this husbandry course here) This allows you to collect poop easily for fecal samples to test for parasites as well as monitor the poop, which tells if your cham is hydrated or not.

 

[elizaann2]

I read some good reviews at first and why I bought from them. People saying they clearly could tell they handle the animals a lot and we’re always healthy etc. I see mixed reviews ugh well I ordered from him already bc he is having the Cham hand picked for the best one of the batch that’s arriving in jersey tomorrow from Florida (so he says) and sending it direct to me instead of Florida-jersey-me ugh hope he’s healthy that’ll be a shame to have wasted money and have the little guy not make it if he’s sick. Hopefully I get lucky and he’s nice and healthy. Hate seeing some people only out for money rather than the animals. Although he seemed very helpful and insightful. We’ll see I’ll keep everyone posted.

Btw I have a large repti breeze setup for the Jackson I was gonna get from pet store. But learned more since then so I’ll house the ambilobe in there until I get the bigger one setup with the right equipment. Right now I just have a cheap Amazon mister (seems to work well but it’s not a fine mist seems like too much water) and the lights and bunch of fake plants and vines for now.

Yes please let us know. Get a fecal test asap and please let us know how he is going when you get him. Hopefully you have a good experience. My fingers are crossed for you.

 

[CryptKeeper]

There is more than one. Don't feel bad. If you didn't already purchase the little guy below is a list of fantastic breeders that do it right because they love the animal. If I was looking for a panther I would buy from one of these guys.

iPardalis
Frams Chams
Kamerflage Kreations

You want to shop for QUALITY of chameleon and its care vs price.

Lastly, if you are new at this I would probably not do bioactive to start with. I would recommend Bill Strand's strategy for enclosure set up so you have a clean bottom. (Read this husbandry course here) This allows you to collect poop easily for fecal samples to test for parasites as well as monitor the poop, which tells if your cham is hydrated or not.

Appreciate this. Unfortunately I already placed the order before reading about the negative stuff. They say they have a 7 day guarantee but I read it’s like pulling teeth to get a refund so I’m hoping for the best. It’ll be here Thursday so I’ll post some pics to gain some feedback. If things go south I will 100% go to one of those breeders you mentioned.

 

[elizaann2]

Appreciate this. Unfortunately I already placed the order before reading about the negative stuff. They say they have a 7 day guarantee but I read it’s like pulling teeth to get a refund so I’m hoping for the best. It’ll be here Thursday so I’ll post some pics to gain some feedback. If things go south I will 100% go to one of those breeders you mentioned.

Sounds good. Just let us know. We are all here for you and want you to be successful and for your little guy to thrive.

 

[CryptKeeper]

Yes please let us know. Get a fecal test asap and please let us know how he is going when you get him. Hopefully you have a good experience. My fingers are crossed for you.

Thank you and will do! Where do I send the fecal sample? Is there an online vet or I gotta find an exotic vet near me to bring to get it tested? Or can any vet do that

 

[elizaann2]

Thank you and will do! Where do I send the fecal sample? Is there an online vet or I gotta find an exotic vet near me to bring to get it tested? Or can any vet do that

Any vet can run the fecal. I would strongly recommend finding an exotic vet near you that has experience with chameleon care. Not all reptile vets know chameleons. Attached is a spreadsheet that has a list of recommended exotic vets with cham experience that others on here have suggested. Its organized by state and then city.

 

[SteveH]

Thank you and will do! Where do I send the fecal sample? Is there an online vet or I gotta find an exotic vet near me to bring to get it tested? Or can any vet do that

Here's a link that might help you find a exotics vet near you or call around and ask if they work with exotic animals and mention chameleons

 

[SteveH]

Thank you and will do! Where do I send the fecal sample? Is there an online vet or I gotta find an exotic vet near me to bring to get it tested? Or can any vet do that

https://arav.site-ym.com/search/newsearch.asp