Reptibreeze Enclosure
- Thread starter Mason
- Start date
You will need to go to a large enclosure when your panther is an adult so I would think a small is out of the question...The price I am sure seems right but remember you get what you pay for. Dragon strand cages maybe more expensive but the quality is much higher IMO. That all said many people use the reptibreeze and have fine results. maybe start out with a large cage so you do not have to upgrade in the future.
My girlfriend is a lizard breeder who owns over 8 red bar ambilobe panthers. She has been successful with her adults in a 16x16x30 enclosure but lets them stay on a screen right near a large window so they get the UV they need and have lots of space. I am picking up a nosy be panther from a very reliable breeder in February. He will be 2 months old when I pick him up and will live in an exo terra 12x12x18 for two months until he grows old enough for a larger enclosure and will feed off pinheads for the first month or two ish. He will be my first chameleon but ive owned geckos and snakes before that. http://gyazo.com/455f2d7ae8eae06b3df0b8710cd28afc that is a link to a screen shot of everything I will be buying at a reptile expo before receiving the lizard. I really really appreciate all the help I can get so any comments or recommendations are greatly wanted. Thanks for all the help. If you have time just some help here or on Skype would be amazing. Thanks in advanced -Mason
I did and she said the 16x16x30 is fine. I am a worry type of person and usually do a large amount of research before I do anything so I thought this would be the best place to ask for some opinions. People always have different experiences so I thought I might as well use my time to learn them all and try to learn from others mistakes so I can give a chameleon the best life he can have
I used the 16x16x30 reptibreeze for my young panther. reptibreeze is a good price for a cage you know they'll grow out of. When it was time to upgrade to his permanent cage I went with the higher quality Dragon Strand. Now I can use my reptibreeze for his outdoor cage when I'm around the house.
That is a little small for an adult male Panther. If it is a female it should be fine. a male should be in a larger enclosure IMO.
Dragon Stands are pretty brutal price wise. They look nice and have some great quality. Is it possible for me to keep him in a 18x18x36 but keep him out alot?. My room is naturally warm and full of sunlight. I was told enclosure size doesn't matter as much if you keep them out and about more. I plan on socializing him enough with me to make him OK with a little extra handling. He will be on a screen portion of my window to get lots of sunlight along with the usual lights inside the enclosure. I'm nowhere near an expert on Chameleons so that's why I'm here now. I just want the best for him but going up to that massive size is a little much. I'll do what is necessary though. Thoughts?
If you want the best for him then read the care sheets that the site provides. If the price of things are going to bother you then this is not the hobby for you because this is just the beginning. I am not trying to be rude in anyway it just seems you want someone here to tell you that the cages is going to be big enogh and I don't think your going to get that .
Carlton
Chameleon Enthusiast
Larger cages usually result in healthier chams, especially when they are territorial species such as panthers. The size and strength of the live plants they will require will be harder to fit in that space too. The reality is, will your room always be at the correct temps so he can be outside the cage much of the time? Even in winter? IMHO the cage you are trying to use will be too small for an adult panther. You'll see some frustration, and possibly inactivity, boredom, constant climbing and pawing at the cage sides, and possibly stress illness if he feels too confined. Why risk that? If you really can't fit the larger size, consider a smaller species instead.
Carlton
Chameleon Enthusiast
I plan on socializing him enough with me to make him OK with a little extra handling.
This is fine to plan, but there's no guarantee you'll end up with a laid back cham who doesn't mind more handling. Not all of them tolerate this. Just be warned it isn't a given.
He will be on a screen portion of my window to get lots of sunlight along with the usual lights inside the enclosure.
Will that window have sunlight all year round? What about in winter when it's too cold to have the window open? UV doesn't pass through glass. If he gets too cool while outside the cage all the time he won't be able to digest his food as well and could be prone to respiratory infections.
I just want the best for him but going up to that massive size is a little much.
That size isn't "massive". IMHO, a massive cage would be 5'x5'x6' tall. Remember, your cham will need to spend a good part of his life inside it. Will need to thermoregulate, sleep, guard a territory, hunt, drink, etc. in it. Limited spaces can make it harder to offer the correct range of temps and humidity.
This is fine to plan, but there's no guarantee you'll end up with a laid back cham who doesn't mind more handling. Not all of them tolerate this. Just be warned it isn't a given.
He will be on a screen portion of my window to get lots of sunlight along with the usual lights inside the enclosure.
Will that window have sunlight all year round? What about in winter when it's too cold to have the window open? UV doesn't pass through glass. If he gets too cool while outside the cage all the time he won't be able to digest his food as well and could be prone to respiratory infections.
I just want the best for him but going up to that massive size is a little much.
That size isn't "massive". IMHO, a massive cage would be 5'x5'x6' tall. Remember, your cham will need to spend a good part of his life inside it. Will need to thermoregulate, sleep, guard a territory, hunt, drink, etc. in it. Limited spaces can make it harder to offer the correct range of temps and humidity.
Thanks to everyone for all the help I will stick to my original plan and keep a 16x16x30 for the first couple months of his life. As soon as he gets past his juvenile stage and begins to increase in size I will upgrade to a large dragon stand. My motives are complicated but I will update the forums with a happy healthy Nosybe in a couple months
I will stick to my original plan and keep a 16x16x30 for the first couple months of his life. As soon as he gets past his juvenile stage and begins to increase in size I will upgrade to a large dragon stand. My motives are complicated but I will update the forums with a happy healthy Nosybe in a couple months
Carlton
Chameleon Enthusiast
Thanks to everyone for all the help
I would much rather have a home-built less sophisticated larger cage than a perfectly built one that's too small. If cost is the key, consider building one yourself that will work in your space and give your panther the best quality of life. A healthy active cham secure in a great territory will give you a lot more pleasure too.
I've actually revised my setup one last time and talked to the breeder I'm buying the nosy be from and asked him for the best setup he can reccomend me. I'm satisfied with what I will be providing for him and will have plenty of help from a local breeder in raising him and monitoring his health.
Chamcham87
New Member
What are your guys thoughts on new atrium cage by dragon strand as a life long cage from new Cham to adult?
Rufi0
Established Member
Not sure about the small. I had the Reptibreeze Large 46x46x92cm for my male Panther Chameleon from 6 months - 1 year. As he got bigger he started to look a little cramped even in the large one and he wanted to come out a lot more so we upgraded to the Reptibreeze XL 61x61x122cm. He is so much happier and in retrospect I think I would have gotten away with the XL at 6 months. Only thing I didn't anticipate was the space needed to clean it lol, it's a beast.
Check out my post about the new Atrium Cage I recently setup. I'm very happy with it and recommend it as well.
