Panther Cage sizes

[Bjorn]

Hi all,

I am new to the forum but couldn't find an intro section so I will do a sort one here. I live in South Africa and I am a reptile importer mostly snakes but very keen on lizards of late. I have kept snakes from corns to Emerald Tree boas.

I am going to be getting a few panthers which I will have to quarantine. I don't work much with chameleons so I am getting prepared before I do. I have cage designs ready which have good ventilation and all their needs will be provided regarding UVB,heat,suppliments and watering systems.

My question is what size cage can I get away with housing a subadult/adult Panther for 30 days til quarntine is lifted? Obviously I am looking for the best for these chameleons. It's just that space is limited in quarantine. I will look at housing them all individually unless females are ok to be housed together. I have come across many different size recommendations and can't settle on what's best.

I would appreciate any advice. Thank you!

 

[Tygerr]

Bjorn, it would be better to house them all individually... that would be part of the point of keeping them in quarantine. Besides, by the time they reach sub-adult, it's not recommended to keep them together anyway (regardless of what sex they are).

As for cage size, you could probably get away with something smaller than usual if it's only temporary, but not too small, otherwise you'll just stress the cham out. The Chameleon's Dish website says that a 38gal Reptarium can be used as a temporary quarantine enclosure (which equates to about 75cm (h) X 45cm (w) x 45cm (d)). That sounds okay to me for temporary homes for sub-adults. But that all depends on what size the chams are that you get in. Sometimes they list them as sub-adult when they're actually closer to 'just past hatchling'. That size cage would still be okay for babies, but if you happen to get larger specimens you might want to bump up the size to about 80cm x 60cm x 60cm.
Just make sure that the cages are heavily planted, because when their space is confined, they're going to need even more privacy to feel secure.

I know you've probably been scouring the 'net already for more info, but if you haven't come across them yet, check out these sites:
- Chameleons! Online E-Zine - Introduction to Chameleon Husbandry
(check out the other articles on that site, especially the series of articles on Furcifer Pardalis and this one: Chameleon Acclimation)
- The Chameleon's Dish - Chameleons as Pets
- Successful Keeping of Veiled Chameleons (despite it's focus being Veiled chameleons, it has some excellent husbandry advice that applies to all chameleons)
- Chamowners Web

and this article: ASSESSING THE HEALTH OF WILD-CAUGHT CHAMELEONS

You may have noticed from the info on my post that I am also from South Africa. There is a guy in Lonehill that has been breeding Panthers for a while now. He might be able to give you more specific pointers (I've never kept Panthers). Send me a PM if you'd like his contact details.

Good luck with the chams. Make sure to post pics when they come in!

 

[Bjorn]

Thanks for the info Tygerr, I will get on all the info shortly. I have searched a lot on the net but nothing regarding the quarantine cage size.

I am settling on a cage size of 65cm (H) x 65cm (L) x 35cm (W) for majority of the individuals. Some will also be 60x60x60 and 110x60x60 so I can house biggest to smallest. I am hoping to get the younger ones but permits take time and chameleons grow fast. I am sure I will be prepared for it so rather have big cages.

I will post some pics when they come but it's still going to be a while.