New Enclosure

[kencater]

I'm new here and new to chameleons. I just completed my enclosure for my 1 month old panther. It is wooden framed with screen closure. I made a sheet metal pan in the bottom for easy cleaning. In the center of the pan is a drain hole for water to be caught by a container underneath. My panther seems to like it so far. What do you think?





And here's Manny:

 

[dodolah]

i recommend to add more live plants. It seems to need a bit more of foliage.
Also ditch the compact uvb and change it to linear tube uvb.
an example of mine :

 

[kencater]

Yeah, I'm gonna go get a plant or two soon. Still looking around to find the right type. I'm also gonna get a linear UV bulb. But the compact was all I could find in this crappy town. guess i'll order one online.

 

[dodolah]

be very careful with that lamp. Can be a huge problem for your chameleon's eyes.
http://www.uvguide.co.uk/phototherapyphosphor.htm

If you gonna get online, make sure it's reptiSUN 5.0 Linear tube.
don't buy reptiGLO. It is not as good as the reptiSun.

 

[Trace]

That's not a Panther Chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) but, in fact, a wild caught Senegal Chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleo senegalensis).

Dealing with WC animals, particularly chameleons, are wrought with problems especially for a new owner. While I'm not trying to sound uncaring, is there a possibility you can exchange that animal for a captive bred Panther Chameleon? Your experience with chameleons will be a much more pleasant one. Trust me.

Were you sold a Panther Chameleon?

Good luck,
Trace

 

[Brad Ramsey]

It's nice looking senegal, but as Trace says ... it will be difficult to acclimate.
How much did you pay for this chameleon?
I would have a problem with the seller if it were more than $30 ......
I already have issue with the seller since you think you were sold a panther.
You need to go back to the (i assume) pet store and somehow correct the situation.
This senegal may not be a bad chameleon to keep .... but cleaning and acclimating will be a lot of work.

-Brad

 

[kencater]

i got the cham for free. A friend got him from one of his friends in texas. He might have been mistaken about the panther part because he was looking at all kinds. I haven't personally talked to the breeder, just my friend that brought him to me. I'm told that he's definetely captive bred though.

 

[Brad Ramsey]

i got the cham for free. A friend got him from one of his friends in texas. He might have been mistaken about the panther part because he was looking at all kinds. I haven't personally talked to the breeder, just my friend that brought him to me. I'm told that he's definetely captive bred though.

I am 99.99% sure that the animal is wild caught.
No one has had success breeding senegals, that we know of ... it's actually a planned future project of mine.
get a fecal sample to a qualified reptile veterinarian as soon as possible, to test for parasites.
And ... do a lot of misting/dripping ..... this species is a big drinker!

-Brad

 

[kencater]

Thanks brad. I'll do those things asap. Just a little more info to make sure he's a senegal. The only colors he's changed so far is a light yellow entirely and then green with black bars. That sound right for a Senegal?

 

[Brad Ramsey]

The animal is definitely a senegal.
Aside from the extra misting I give mine (again, they are big drinkers)
I keep them the same way I keep my veileds so ... here is some info:

http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/

-Brad

 

[kencater]

Thanks again Brad. I'm new to all this, so I guess I'm a little ignorant of all things reptilian.

 

[Brad Ramsey]

Here's a link to the article Kristina Francis wrote on senegals for the e-zine:

http://www.chameleonnews.com/?page=article&id=164

-Brad

 

[kencater]

very helpful information Brad.