New Beginner

[Cawagula]

Hey Everyone,

Been reading around this site for the last few weeks and have been absorbing a multitude of information, and everyone seems so friendly. So after reading I am in debate over two breeds, the Jackson and the Panther. I'd prefer the Jackson as it's a bit smaller however, I have read Panthers are a bit more hardy.

Does anyone have any advice to help me decide between the two?

Also, I have yet to purchase anything, I'm trying to get a lot of knowledge before I start anything so I was wondering if this was a good deal, and if it would work for Jacksons as well as Panthers as I know it was designed for panthers.

http://www.screameleons.com/site/ItemID__3559/3365/DesktopDefault.aspx?ItemID=3559&tabid=3365


If so, what would be the maximum time suggested to keep it in that cage since it is only a smaller cage. I also like the cage since it includes the automatic misting system.


Any suggestions on a good supplier for Jacksons, as I've read Scremeleons is very good for Panthers.

I intend on building a bigger cage myself as I do for most of my pets, my most recent was the 25G terrarium I built for my newts. Plexiglas separators, land shore, small island, 4 built in cooling fans to help keep temps down and water cooler to keep it around 60, but that's for another forum lol.

Anyway, sorry for all the questions, I'm just trying to learn all I can before getting the chameleon as I don't want to mess anything up.

Thanks,
Cawagula

 

[laurie]

Welcome to the forum! Let's see if I can answer some of your questions.

Panther or Jackson, well I have both and I assure you the panther is much more forgiving of any mistakes, no matter how small than the Jackson. Panthers & veileds are commonly called "started chameleons" for a reason. All chameleons require a number of specialized living needs be meet or they will not thrive. That said a panther's needs are easier than a jacksons because a panther can tolerate a much larger temperature variation than a jackson, and the humidity needs are MUCH less critical than for a jacksons. Panthers are a fairly adaptable, agreeable, beautiful chameleon. They are a bit larger and would at adult age need a 2x2x3 or 2x2x4 size cage. rather than the package you can purchase the items you need at LLL Reptile one of our plan sponsors. They have the best prices for all our chameleon gear. The package is complete but contains items I have not ever used in my 10+ years as a keeper.

The cage you are seeing is for a baby. I would not keep one past 4 months in a cage that size. Also a habba mister is not really an automatic misting system. I have 4 that I hate and could sell you one cheap - don't buy it! I don't know what size chameleon you are looking at but a male is a better first chameleon as females have egg laying issues to be considered. Male panthers are available in a multitude of colors. If you are looking for ideas look in the classified here on the forum. Several members have panthers for sale. It will give you an opportunity to see colors, sizes at different ages, prices, and who offers follow up for questions.

I know I must have missed a few questions, but at least you have some basics and food for thought. We have a lot of forum sponsors, listed at the top right, who offer chameleons and related supplies, go browsing.

 

[jpm995]

Panthers [and vields] are a bit hardier than Jacksons. Most Panthers are from breeders [use ones that sponser this site, not because they sponser us but because their top quality]. Whatever you get make sure its not imported, the risk of parasites and stress are much greater. Lighting, diet and proper handleing are critical as all chams are more difficult to keep than most other reptiles.

 

[Cawagula]

Thanks for all the advice guys, if anyone has a list of reccommended supplies from LLL Reptile I'd greatly appreciate it.... Also, should I just pick up the 2x2x4 cage and if I do get a smaller cham seperate the top of the cage till it gets to be an adult or if I get one say 4 or 5 months old will stress conditions be ok due to size?

EDIT

Just ordered the 2x2x4 cage, want to make sure I have everything PERFECT before I get the chameleon here.

 

[laurie]

Thanks for all the advice guys, if anyone has a list of reccommended supplies from LLL Reptile I'd greatly appreciate it.... Also, should I just pick up the 2x2x4 cage and if I do get a smaller cham seperate the top of the cage till it gets to be an adult or if I get one say 4 or 5 months old will stress conditions be ok due to size?

Here I go again
LLL:
Cage
uvb light and fixture
humidity/temp gage (digital- zilla is a good one)
bio vine
little dripper

Walmart or home depot:
hood light for basking light
regular household lightbulb
plants: ficus, umbrella or hibiscus (later direction to prep plants)
water spray bottle

also sticks and branches

Hope I didn't forget anything. I would go for the large adult size cage. You can always divide it if necessary. If you cup or hand feed the cage size won't matter.

 

[Texas Panther Man]

You will also need a couple of plastic tubs for your feeders. You will probably want to get a cpl of feeders started before you buy the cham so you have a readily available food source. You will need 3 diff supplement powders to dust your food items:
1. calcium w/d3 to be used 2 times a month
2. calcium w/o d3 used daily except on days you use the d3 or the multi vita
3. multivitiamin - 1or 2 times monthly

Look up how to gutload feeders and that should get you strted.

 

[Cawagula]

Thanks guys, already ordered the 24 x 24 x 48 cage and I planned on cup/hand feeding. Thanks.

 

[jannb]

Thanks guys, already ordered the 24 x 24 x 48 cage and I planned on cup/hand feeding. Thanks.

Be sure to get a good size chameleon to go in a cage that big. A veiled 5 to 6 months old or a panther 7 or 8 months old......panther babies are smaller that veileds. A smaller baby would not be able to find the feeders in a cage that large.

 

[Cawagula]

Be sure to get a good size chameleon to go in a cage that big. A veiled 5 to 6 months old or a panther 7 or 8 months old......panther babies are smaller that veileds. A smaller baby would not be able to find the feeders in a cage that large.

I thought that as long as you were cup feeding/hand feeding then it would be ok?

 

[Elizadolots]

You can "subdivide" the cage for the early months. Put netting at the halfway point to keep the chameleon and any food from going lower. Remove it when the chameleon gets bigger. To me, that sounds like a better idea than having a different "big boy" cage...rather than moving, he gets new space.

Even if you cup feed, that big a cage with a little one is going to be an issue. I lose my big (5 inches nose to vent) Fischer's all the time...and his cage is probably a tad small for him. You'll have issues finding him, monitoring his eating, checking his poop if he's in too big an enclosure...

 

[Cawagula]

Okay, cool, that was what I was planning from the beginning but I thought I read it would be okay so long as he was being hand/cup fed. But, is any special netting required? Also, is there a special way to clean the plants to remove pesticides?

 

[Elizadolots]

For the netting, I don't know...if it were me, I'd head to the fabric store and buy some tuling. I'm sure that the reptile experts here will have a superior product. I'm crafty, not really reptiley....

I think the drill on plants is to repot them into organic soil (or, something without stuff like fertilizer and pesticides) and wash them thoroughly with dish washing soap (like Dawn). Rinse, rinse, rinse before putting in the cage. You want to get both the pesticides and the soap off the plant before you introduce it to your chameleon.

 

[Cawagula]

Thanks so much Eliza,

I think the only other question I have is Laurie said to get a UVB bulb and fixture.... should I get a UVB Heat Lamp or the Long Florescent UVB light? Is the household light supposed to act as the Heat Lamp?

 

[Elizadolots]

You're so very welcome..

People here like the Reptisun 5.0 fluorescent tube (that's the long one) for UVB (that's the important part of sunlight the body needs to absorb calcium) and just a household light for heat. It really doesn't need to be as hot as you are probably imagining...a regular household bulb close to the cage is enough.

 

[Cawagula]

Yes, that's the one I picked up, was just hoping I didn't have to drop another $40 for the heat lamp .

You have been so helpful, all of you, I like it around here haha. I did lie and think of another question, sorry for them all I just want to be 100% prepared before I start;

For an aluminum cage, how should I go about drainage?
http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog...een/-/24-x-24-x-48-inch-aluminum-screen-cage/

That's the cage I purchased, should I just keep a small bowl under where the dripper rolls off the leaves to?

 

[Cawagula]

So, here's what I have thus far:

2 x 2 x 4 Aluminum Cage
Zoo Med 24" Repti Sun 5.0 UVB bulb
Zilla Digital Thermometer / Hygrometer with probe
Water Dripper
T-Rex Large Bio Vine
30" fluorescent hood fixture
Hood Light w/ 40W Household Bulb
Hibiscus Plant
Spray Bottle
Crickets that I started to gut load

Other than the the supplements (calcium, calcium w d3, multivitamin) is there anything else you's would recommend?

Also, the Cham (That I'm looking to buy local) is only 3 months, I have divided the cage in half 2x2x2 as to reduce size to reduce stress and help feeding, I have also raised the bulb a few inches off the top to keep the heat a little less intense. What is the optimal temperature for a 3 month old Panther?