Planning for a chameleon; help?

[InStitches]

Hey I've been researching chameleons for a few years and have decided to get a Panther of some sort after I move in July.

I have a few questions about the enclosure, since I'd love to get things right the first time around!

Plants:

What sort of light do I buy for the enclosure if I have live plants? Will the bulb replace regular UVB bulb or just be used in addition to it?

Is honeysuckle an acceptable vine? I absolutely love honeysuckle and I know it isn't toxic to mammals. Answered: It is okay to use

I live in Florida and absolutely adore the more tropical-type plants used in landscaping here. Are there any Floridians that can suggest appropriate Florida-style plants?

Lights:

What strengths of UVB (5.0 or 10.0) should I be using in a 4x2x2 for an adult panther? Answered: give Arcadia 6% or RS 5.0 a try. Heat, start at 60W and monitor tempts, change bulb as needed.

Cage:

I'd like to buy a long-lasting cage. Which brands are least likely to rust? (I prefer black trim)

Is it possible for me to replace the screen on just the front with plexiglass without harming the chameleon? Answered: I have decided to stick with screen front door.

Any recommendations for gauges (digital, temp & humidity)? Link me to your favorite on Amazon

I'm sure I'll pop up with more questions, but that's it for now Thanks for any and all help/suggestions.

 

[Yarinil]

Hey I've been researching chameleons for a few years and have decided to get a Panther of some sort after I move in July.

I have a few questions about the enclosure, since I'd love to get things right the first time around!

Plants:

What sort of light do I buy for the enclosure if I have live plants? Will the bulb replace regular UVB bulb or just be used in addition to it?

Is honeysuckle an acceptable vine? I absolutely love honeysuckle and I know it isn't toxic to mammals.

I live in Florida and absolutely adore the more tropical-type plants used in landscaping here. Are there any Floridians that can suggest appropriate Florida-style plants?

Lights:

What strengths of UVB and heat bulb (regular incandescent) should I be using in a 4x2x2 for an adult panther?

Cage:

I'd like to buy a long-lasting cage. Which brands are least likely to rust? (I prefer black trim)

Is it possible for me to replace the screen on just the front with plexiglass without harming the chameleon?

Any recommendations for gauges (digital, temp & humidity)?

I'm sure I'll pop up with more questions, but that's it for now Thanks for any and all help/suggestions.

Here some link that you may read aswell it will help you a lot! https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/panther/ i'm new too and reading at the forum links helps a lot! I'm from Puerto Rico so Im using a 25W bulbs UVA and UVC not basking because mine is a baby so he dont need too much heat yet. Maybe you'll need a stronger bulbs depends on the temperature changes in FL.

here a link to lighting https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/lighting/

here's another link to edible plants http://www.anapsid.org/resources/edible.html

yes, yes I know a lot to read but it will help you!

 

[gavriel]

For live plants you will want to check out the link I have below. You are pretty safe going with a panther chameleon as they do not eat plants. However, some plants excrete sap or have other properties that are not safe, as well as feeders that will eat occasionally which your cham will eat. It's also not uncommon for some panthers to nibble on a leaf while drinking. At least my panther has.

You will want good UVA and UVB bulbs, spaced at proper distances from your chams basking spot but all lights are different strengths so follow directions per that bulb.

Variations in humidity are a good thing so don't plan to hit a number and keep it there. Mainly make sure you mist every few hours for about a minute, and don't spray your cham directly. Spray on one side of your enclosure and make sure your cham sees it, and when you move away, if he is thirsty, he'll move that direction.

Replacing the screen front with plexi isn't recommended as it deters from the large amount of fresh air flow, but that doesn't mean that it hasn't been done before. If you do go that route, make sure you are in a well ventilated area that provides great air flow.

As for gauges, you will want to go digital with a probe. I find that old school dial have a tendency to get rust and water in them when placed in the cage and that throws your numbers off over time.

Cage size your planning is good for an adult panther, but if you go with a juvi at the beginning, you'll want something smaller till he/she's about 12 to 14 inches, snout to tip of tail, then move to the large enclosure. Larger size for juvi's spaces feeders out, and for my cham, he was leaving about 3 or 4 a day uneaten and I'd have to remove them. This all depends on your chams hunt instinct though and your cham may be fine with a larger enclosure. All up to the owner and hunt drive of your cham.

Hope this helps you out. Take a look at supplements you will need as well. There is tons of info on the forums, but make sure you look specifically for your cham species and sex as some may require different amounts. Females differ from males at certain stages during egg laying.

http://www.flchams.com/safe_plant_list.asp

 

[InStitches]

Hi Yaranil!

I have already gone through those resources (and others), but they do not answer the specific question I have, sadly D:

Such as:

5.0 vs. 10.0 UVB - I don't want to buy one too strong, but 4x2x2 is a big cage. Which one do I use?

Is 60 Watts enough heat in a 4x2x2 cage, or is that just for baby/juvenile cages?

There are awesome plant lists out there, but none have honeysuckle listed as toxic/nontoxic to chams.

etc.

 

[InStitches]

thanks Gavriel, it looks like honeysuckle is approved for use That certainly makes me happy! I'll also get to use the Hoya plant cuttings I've planted.

I may just stick with screen v. replacing with plexiglass, just to be safe.

 

[gavriel]

Hi Yaranil!

I have already gone through those resources (and others), but they do not answer the specific question I have, sadly D:

Such as:

5.0 vs. 10.0 UVB - I don't want to buy one too strong, but 4x2x2 is a big cage. Which one do I use?

Is 60 Watts enough heat in a 4x2x2 cage, or is that just for baby/juvenile cages?

There are awesome plant lists out there, but none have honeysuckle listed as toxic/nontoxic to chams.

etc.

5.0 vs 10.0 UVB bulbs always creates a debate. Preferably I go with 5.0 as they are less powerful in their rays. Since panthers are always in the tree tops to block the sun with leaves, I go this route. I use an Arcadia 6% 48" bulb, but I have a larger enclosure as well. For smaller enclosures, I went with ReptiGlow 5.0 18".

Heat sources will also vary, but you can always step up. Start with a 50/60 Watt and check basking temps. If they are within limits, then your fine. If not, you should step up to 75 and recheck. Depends on your house. For mine, I use a 50W and with 12 inch distance with my apt temp of 74, I get temps at 86 to 90.

 

[InStitches]

5.0 vs 10.0 UVB bulbs always creates a debate. Preferably I go with 5.0 as they are less powerful in their rays. Since panthers are always in the tree tops to block the sun with leaves, I go this route. I use an Arcadia 6% 48" bulb, but I have a larger enclosure as well. For smaller enclosures, I went with ReptiGlow 5.0 18".

Heat sources will also vary, but you can always step up. Start with a 50/60 Watt and check basking temps. If they are within limits, then your fine. If not, you should step up to 75 and recheck. Depends on your house. For mine, I use a 50W and with 12 inch distance with my apt temp of 74, I get temps at 86 to 90.

Thanks That helps a lot!

 

[Yarinil]

Thanks That helps a lot!

Hope I can help you more but I'm still learning too and is a little difficult also because my first language is Spanish but welcome to the cham's world!