New and need advise

[ToniW]

Hi. I have had my Panther for two weeks now.

First I was told that I should keep the heat high and humidity low and now I have been told low heat and high humidity.
I was also advised that I should use any substrate. This doesn't seem right to me?

Currently I have a 3x2x2 ft wooden with glass front Viv. A ficus plant and a few fake plants.
I am using a 10.0 uv light (first I used a 5.0 and was told I should be using 10.0)
He is on locusts, dusted with nutribol and calcium.
I also have a automatic misting system but again was told by one person that I should use one and not to by another person.

With conflicting advise I'm now confused.

I have previously own reptiles but this is the first chameleon.

Hope someone can help and advise.

Thanks

 

[johnnyev]

I have always used substrates with chameleons & never had a problem. And it wont build up bacteria if its on a decent depth drainage layer with a way to syphon off excess water (i just use a short length of aquarium silicone under the drainage layer).
If you set it up bio active & add plenty of springtails, woodlice worms etc. You wont ever have to clean the enclosure either.

I used a similar style enclosure when i kept panthers & yemens (but mine were 4x2x2). Only I replaced the glass doors with a screen (stainless steel insect mesh) door. I also waterproofed the bottom half of the enclosure, to hold a moist substrate without rotting the wood. Though they did eventually start to break down, after around six years. But as i made them myself, i wasn't too worried.
I would take that cane out too. They are smooth & unless the animal can wrap its feet around it, will struggle to grip. Garden canes can & have caused chameleons to slip & fall.
Add lots of dead branches, long twigs & live plants. In pots if you don't want to use a substrate.
Consider using live plants, as they make a big difference to humidity & general air quality in the enclosure. Set up as bio active & the plants, enclosure & your chameleon will thrive.
Heres a pic of my fishers chameleon enclosure to give you some ideas. This is an exo terra tank btw. The back & sides are the coir matting. Not only does this make a good background for plants to climb. But allows the chameleon to climb it too, so doubling the useable space. Also insulates enclosure during winter. If I were to use all screen enclosure, I would fix this to the back & sides too.

 

[ToniW]

I was told panthers need a lot of ventilation. I was considering a mesh Viv but wasn't too sure whether it would be too cold during the night as I am in the UK.

Also what would you advise for heat during the day and night. I have been told to turn the heat off completely during the night.
Again this doesn't seem right to me as with previous reptiles i would normally turn the heat down.

 

[johnnyev]

Hi Toni.
Like yourself i'm also in the uk & this was the reason i chose to use wooden enclosures as opposed to all screen types. My reptile room is a converted/insulated garage & i found it really difficult to keep temps & humidity at required levels. During winter months anyway. Also why i have chosen to keep montane species now, after having a break from keeping reptiles. Much easier to get desired temps & humidity, especially in the winter months for me.
I did in fact turn all night time heating off though, when i kept yemens. But had low wattage ceramics for the panthers. Still let night temps get down into the high fifties/low sixties fahrenheit for the panthers & into low forties for the yemens. For daytime heating i used to just use normal 50w halogen flood bulbs & 6% T5 fluorescent tube for uv. Use Arcadia exclusively now, T5 HO's.
If you use a mesh door & put a couple of vents either in the roof or back wall. You will get ample ventilation & still be able to maintain a certain amount of humidity. Depending on ambient conditions in the room you house your cham in. Will dictate how many vents you require.

 

[jannb]

Hi Toni, welcome to the forums and the world of chameleons. Most of us do not use substrate because our chameleons could eat it and become impacted. Please post some more photos of your chameleon. I'm a little concerned about the eyes in this photo but it could just be the picture. I'm am attaching my blog for new keepers for how I have successfully raised veileds and panthers over the years and another link to allot more chameleon info. https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...-keepers-young-veiled-panther-chameleons.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/chameleons/

 

[ToniW]

Not one to pose but here are a few more

 

[Pharaoh2015]

Maybe more foliage? Looks a little bare in there. My chams love to hide somedays and it makes them feel safer at a young age. He still looks fairly young.

 

[MorganC25]

Handling

Do you know what kind of panther cham it is? it looks like it has a bit of blue green on him, which makes me think its a male. Also how often have you been handling him? you say you've had him for a about two weeks, and the first week of getting him its important you try not to handle them as much as possible, while he is acclimating to his new environment. To much handling can also lead to stress which can cause other serious problems. But in the pictures you posted, he looks to be doing alright.

 

[ToniW]

I have no idea what Panther he is. I've handled him a couple of times and gave him a bath. He seemed to struggle passing so I gave him a bath hoping this would help (seems to have as he has now passed).

He seems a little aggressive at the moment so I don't want to pressure him.

When I first got him the man dropped him on the floor and I noticed the man would go in full hand and grab him so I don't think he is very trusting at the moment.
But I will gain his trust, slowly but surely

 

[ToniW]

I have a few live plants I'm yet to put in his vivarium, just trying to leave him to settle for a bit without messing with his territory.
For some strange reason he seems to love sleeping out in the open instead of hiding in a bush.

 

[Pharaoh2015]

Mine sleeps on the tallest point in the cage