New keeper here!

[Andrew1283]

Yeah, I realized that about the kit after I bought it, luckily I only paid half price for it! What light do you recommend? I was wondering that too because she seems plumper than most I've seen. I'll get the bin together ASAP! Also, what supplements? I do calcium without D3 at almost every feeding for about half the crickets and was going to do calcium with d3 twice a month. She needs something additional when gravid? Thank you so much!

T5 UVB
https://www.amazon.com/Arcadia-Reptile-Forest-6-UV-B-Single/dp/B09T96TPHJ/ref=mp_s_a_1_11?crid=3K6HN93WOSTD4&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.HLmII76GeoF_8djXw1y_VUIcw7YnKNxiFESqQ6vTFamzFYz_V9ytgM4r7mNT7Fj8j8sMNlxhew3alf-ZHdxiyjnrOT-Gyl4rU0Es_BKrdTPahoT_5p_ZZHrr-J6B1NLvnlPTwhhNhmoW4v2jogugttQHidvso1qvq-I9e85Uk40nLHqmWxLqZ7c8Z9WBxJDsfuzqph78kWILRopbSLgYdQ.VTFCorPpothDKh3uXHuw0ZdSjMPFRv2Qpb3f6BYxbV8&dib_tag=se&keywords=arcadia+t5+uvb+reptile+light+fixture&qid=1709059127&sprefix=arcadia+,aps,79&sr=8-11

Calcium without LoD
https://www.amazon.com/Arcadia-RAREP100-EarthPro-A-100g-Bag/dp/B07BZHPDHX

Calcium with LoD
https://www.amazon.com/Repashy-Calc...epashy+calcium+plus+lod&qid=1709059237&sr=8-2

For Chams 9 months and older (eating every other day) I mix powders with and without LoD at a ratio of 2 parts with LoD and 13 parts without. It’s just easier for me that way. If that’s unclear, just ask.

Or go ahead and dust feeders with LoD powder biweekly. The rest of the time is non LoD

 

[Beman]

Yeah, I realized that about the kit after I bought it, luckily I only paid half price for it! What light do you recommend? I was wondering that too because she seems plumper than most I've seen. I'll get the bin together ASAP! Also, what supplements? I do calcium without D3 at almost every feeding for about half the crickets and was going to do calcium with d3 twice a month. She needs something additional when gravid? Thank you so much!

So for her you want a T5Ho fixture with a 5.0 or 6% uvb bulb. You want the 24 inch fixture because you will need to upgrade cage size to a 2x2x4 enclosure. The one you got for her is not large enough for an adult cham.
For the UVB set this on top of the cage then you want a measured distance of 8-9 inches to the branches below it to put her in the right UVI level. I like the arcadia ProT5 with the 6% bulb.

Basking temps should run 78-80 max for a female. We do this with a special reduced feeding schedule so it helps control their clutch size. Get a temp gauge with probe to hook in at her basking branch below her heat fixture. Typically nothing stronger than a 60watt incandescent is needed.

You want calcium without D3. This would be used on every feeder you give her. It balances the phosphorus to calcium level of the insect. Lightly dusted on them. This would be used at all feedings with the exception of Repashy Calcium plus LoD. This is your multivitamin with D3 and A. It would be used 2 times a month only say the 1st and the 15th.

You will keep that supplement schedule year round.

Additional info for females. Note right now I would only be feeding her about 5 quality feeders every other day. Since her prior care was not on par along with not knowing her exact age or where she is in her reproductive cycle cutting food intake right now could be detrimental if she is producing a clutch. But once she lays you would feed her well for a week then go on the reduced of 3 days a week 3 feeders.

As she matures you will have to start cutting back her food. By about 6-7 months she should be getting about 5-8 small feeders each day. At about 7-8 months you want to slowly reduce by cutting down feeder amounts so that she is on a feeding schedule of 3 days a week with 3 feeders. You want them to be on this schedule by the time they are 9-10 months old.


You will not ever want basking to be over 78-80 for her. Very important for females because as she ages she needs this temp no higher at basking to help control the amount of eggs she produces. The hotter the temp the more their metabolism speeds up so we have to keep the temp lower since we are doing lower food intake.

A lay bin should be added as a permanent fixture by the time they are 6 months old so they get used to it and it does not cause stress.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/laying-bin-set-up-educational-video.77225/

 

[coastalvibesmama]

So for her you want a T5Ho fixture with a 5.0 or 6% uvb bulb. You want the 24 inch fixture because you will need to upgrade cage size to a 2x2x4 enclosure. The one you got for her is not large enough for an adult cham.
For the UVB set this on top of the cage then you want a measured distance of 8-9 inches to the branches below it to put her in the right UVI level. I like the arcadia ProT5 with the 6% bulb.

Basking temps should run 78-80 max for a female. We do this with a special reduced feeding schedule so it helps control their clutch size. Get a temp gauge with probe to hook in at her basking branch below her heat fixture. Typically nothing stronger than a 60watt incandescent is needed.

You want calcium without D3. This would be used on every feeder you give her. It balances the phosphorus to calcium level of the insect. Lightly dusted on them. This would be used at all feedings with the exception of Repashy Calcium plus LoD. This is your multivitamin with D3 and A. It would be used 2 times a month only say the 1st and the 15th.

You will keep that supplement schedule year round.

Additional info for females. Note right now I would only be feeding her about 5 quality feeders every other day. Since her prior care was not on par along with not knowing her exact age or where she is in her reproductive cycle cutting food intake right now could be detrimental if she is producing a clutch. But once she lays you would feed her well for a week then go on the reduced of 3 days a week 3 feeders.

As she matures you will have to start cutting back her food. By about 6-7 months she should be getting about 5-8 small feeders each day. At about 7-8 months you want to slowly reduce by cutting down feeder amounts so that she is on a feeding schedule of 3 days a week with 3 feeders. You want them to be on this schedule by the time they are 9-10 months old.


You will not ever want basking to be over 78-80 for her. Very important for females because as she ages she needs this temp no higher at basking to help control the amount of eggs she produces. The hotter the temp the more their metabolism speeds up so we have to keep the temp lower since we are doing lower food intake.

A lay bin should be added as a permanent fixture by the time they are 6 months old so they get used to it and it does not cause stress.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/laying-bin-set-up-educational-video.77225/


View attachment 352249View attachment 352250View attachment 352251View attachment 352252

Thank you so much, great info! I got a bin last night, Sand and organic soil- my soil appears to have fertilizer in it so I didn't use, I just used washed play sand but it is very coarse and much different than the fine play sand I saw in the video. Also, I'm afraid my container is too small, it's about 7 inches wide and 10 inches long, 6-7 inches deep. I had to redo her whole cage to get it in and I don't want to stress her by removing all over again, not sure anything bigger will even fit! Any suggestions? Does that sand and size sound ok? Getting the light today, pet store I went to last night didn't have the hood for the light.

 

[Beman]

Thank you so much, great info! I got a bin last night, Sand and organic soil- my soil appears to have fertilizer in it so I didn't use, I just used washed play sand but it is very coarse and much different than the fine play sand I saw in the video. Also, I'm afraid my container is too small, it's about 7 inches wide and 10 inches long, 6-7 inches deep. I had to redo her whole cage to get it in and I don't want to stress her by removing all over again, not sure anything bigger will even fit! Any suggestions? Does that sand and size sound ok? Getting the light today, pet store I went to last night didn't have the hood for the light.

Your container is good. These guys will try to dig into plant pots so no worries there on the size of the bin.

With the playsand... Dig a test hole. I want you to do this so you can see if it collapses or holds its shape. If it collapses it needs to be moister so it will hold its shape. Think sand castles on the beach.

 

[coastalvibesmama]

Your container is good. These guys will try to dig into plant pots so no worries there on the size of the bin.

With the playsand... Dig a test hole. I want you to do this so you can see if it collapses or holds its shape. If it collapses it needs to be moister so it will hold its shape. Think sand castles on the beach.

Thank you! I dug down with both my finger and spoon and it seems to hold great without collapsing. I'm hoping I've gotten it in there in time, she was all ready plump when I brought her home last week!

 

[Beman]

Thank you! I dug down with both my finger and spoon and it seems to hold great without collapsing. I'm hoping I've gotten it in there in time, she was all ready plump when I brought her home last week!

Yeah it will all depend on when she went receptive... typically they can lay eggs roughly 30-45 days after being receptive. If I am remembering correctly. This blog will help you a lot as well. All the same info applies to panthers too https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/veiled-chameleon-laying-101.2488/

 

[coastalvibesmama]

Yeah it will all depend on when she went receptive... typically they can lay eggs roughly 30-45 days after being receptive. If I am remembering correctly. This blog will help you a lot as well. All the same info applies to panthers too https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/veiled-chameleon-laying-101.2488/

Thank you so much!!

 

[coastalvibesmama]

I have no idea how to sex a baby panther chameleon, so hopefully someone else can chime in here about that.
Here is a link that could help
http://www.muchadoaboutchameleons.com/2013/04/male-or-female-how-to-sex-baby-panther.html?m=1
Welcome to the forum!

Thank you!!

 

[coastalvibesmama]

I believe you have a beautiful girl. Do you have a lay bin for her?

Got that set up last night, hoping she likes it and uses it!

 

[coastalvibesmama]

Hi and welcome. You have a beautiful little girl. No idea on her age other than she’s not a baby. She may be a juvenile. I just adore female panthers and although they aren’t as showy as the males, they have their own special beauty. Most will show lovely pinks, corals, peaches or lavenders, depending on locale (which is next to impossible to determine in girls). My nosy be girl is my petite purple princess, but has also gone thru being peachy, dusky rose, tan, brown, grey, etc. Even though my girl will be 3 years old in June, she’s never laid eggs. I’ve been careful to keep her basking temp no higher than 80F and to not overfeed her…same as I do with my veiled girl. Because panthers grow so much slower than veileds though, I didn’t start to limit her feeding until she was close to about 10 months old and she was fully on ‘the regimen’ by the time she was a year old. Although I wrote this for Veileds, much of it applies to panthers too. https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/veiled-chameleon-laying-101.2488/ Even though with her age being unknown, it never hurts to be prepared and provide a lay bin.

Thank you so much! I put a lay bin in last night and am hoping she likes it, it is slightly smaller than recommended but too much bigger won't fit in the enclosure. She's been hanging around the bottom most of the time and usually dark, even if she is basking so hopefully I got the bin inside in time.

 

[MissSkittles]

Thank you so much! I put a lay bin in last night and am hoping she likes it, it is slightly smaller than recommended but too much bigger won't fit in the enclosure. She's been hanging around the bottom most of the time and usually dark, even if she is basking so hopefully I got the bin inside in time.

If you do see her start digging, it’s essential she be given absolute privacy.

 

[coastalvibesmama]

If you do see her start digging, it’s essential she be given absolute privacy.

Should I hang something now in preparation? I have 2 polybackgrounds hanging on 2 sides, I guess I'd rearrange those? Maybe a pillowcase? The enclosure is in the corner but I have kids and we often walk through that room.

 

[MissSkittles]

When I know my girl is close to laying, I partially hang a light sheet (sometimes an opened up pillowcase) so that when I see she’s in her bin and started, I can just quickly pull it over and pin it. I put a safety pin in the end of the sheet and then have a thin wire loop thru the screen or around the frame that I just can quickly pin to.

 

[coastalvibesmama]

When I know my girl is close to laying, I partially hang a light sheet (sometimes an opened up pillowcase) so that when I see she’s in her bin and started, I can just quickly pull it over and pin it. I put a safety pin in the end of the sheet and then have a thin wire loop thru the screen or around the frame that I just can quickly pin to.

Oh gotcha! She didn't eat today even when offered, stayed at the bottom all day and was dark nearly all day so I hung a cut open pillowcase around the lower half but haven't seen her in the bin yet - should I wait until I see her in it and digging?

 

[coastalvibesmama]

T5 UVB
https://www.amazon.com/Arcadia-Reptile-Forest-6-UV-B-Single/dp/B09T96TPHJ/ref=mp_s_a_1_11?crid=3K6HN93WOSTD4&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.HLmII76GeoF_8djXw1y_VUIcw7YnKNxiFESqQ6vTFamzFYz_V9ytgM4r7mNT7Fj8j8sMNlxhew3alf-ZHdxiyjnrOT-Gyl4rU0Es_BKrdTPahoT_5p_ZZHrr-J6B1NLvnlPTwhhNhmoW4v2jogugttQHidvso1qvq-I9e85Uk40nLHqmWxLqZ7c8Z9WBxJDsfuzqph78kWILRopbSLgYdQ.VTFCorPpothDKh3uXHuw0ZdSjMPFRv2Qpb3f6BYxbV8&dib_tag=se&keywords=arcadia+t5+uvb+reptile+light+fixture&qid=1709059127&sprefix=arcadia+,aps,79&sr=8-11

Calcium without LoD
https://www.amazon.com/Arcadia-RAREP100-EarthPro-A-100g-Bag/dp/B07BZHPDHX

Calcium with LoD
https://www.amazon.com/Repashy-Calc...epashy+calcium+plus+lod&qid=1709059237&sr=8-2

For Chams 9 months and older (eating every other day) I mix powders with and without LoD at a ratio of 2 parts with LoD and 13 parts without. It’s just easier for me that way. If that’s unclear, just ask.

Or go ahead and dust feeders with LoD powder biweekly. The rest of the time is non LoD

Thank you!! I ordered from that link today, super helpful because all the local pet stores are out of the light fixture! I'd tried looking on Amazon before but kept seeing the off brands and was unsure about reliability. Can this light sit on top of cage?

 

[coastalvibesmama]

Oh great now I want a female panther.

Also, let her climb on that palm tree by your windows. She will love it!

Haha I feel like with the egg laying this is a lot of stress... but all worth it! Just hoping there are no complications for her. I was wondering if that tree was safe! Thanks!!

 

[coastalvibesmama]

Agreed! She is beautiful! And I do hope you stick around. This is a really fun community.

Thank you!! So thankful for this community. I honestly had read a bunch of posts but didn't expect any responses on mine! So happy I did!

 

[elizaann2]

Thank you!! So thankful for this community. I honestly had read a bunch of posts but didn't expect any responses on mine! So happy I did!

I’m happy you did too!

 

[MissSkittles]

Oh gotcha! She didn't eat today even when offered, stayed at the bottom all day and was dark nearly all day so I hung a cut open pillowcase around the lower half but haven't seen her in the bin yet - should I wait until I see her in it and digging?

Either way is fine and will give her the needed privacy.

 

[Andrew1283]

Thank you!! I ordered from that link today, super helpful because all the local pet stores are out of the light fixture! I'd tried looking on Amazon before but kept seeing the off brands and was unsure about reliability. Can this light sit on top of cage?

You absolutely can sit them right on top of the enclosure. I put my Jungle Dawn in front, then the UVB, and the heat lamp goes in the back corner. Just make sure you use the wired probe to set your basking branch at the correct height under the heat lamp. I like 40 and 50 watt incandescent bulbs for basking. Also I recommend you get this:

https://www.amazon.com/Kasa-Smart-P...MI_7SrgpvQhAMVUGVHAR1ozAD4EAQYASABEgJMAvD_BwE