set up

[Geofft]

Well right now im building a 3ftLengthx2ftdeepx5fthigh. I have a uv light thigy that covers the whole of the 3ft length. I have a heat bulb socket with a 100 watt bulb. I have a ficus, a croton, and a pothos. I have some sticks for climbing and some of those vines that are bendable. I also have a water dripper. Ive done my research on panthers but i just was making sure ive got everything
And i also have a hygromometer and a thermometer

Thanks,
Geoff

[dank7oo]

your set up sounds good geoff .. just one concern
100 Whatt? for a panther?
i use a 50 whatt right now (14.5 x 14.5 x 2) for my panther, and he rarely ever goes directly under the lamp .. for an enclosure your size .. i would say 60- 75 whatt max ... you also dont want the lamp sitting directly on the top of the cage, because if it is too how, your cham will burn himself ...

hope this helps and good luck!

Jason

[Trace]

Hi Geoff!

Sounds like you've got a pretty good set-up there. I'm a little concerned about the placement of the UV tube though. Chameleons need to be within 12" of the light to receive the proper (if you can call it that!) UV absorption. If your new chameleon spends his time on the other side of the cage, then he's not getting the UV. Not a big deal though, when you finally purchase one, you can watch where he spends most of his time and adjust the UV tube and ballast accordingly.

Panther Chameleons need a basking spot of 90-95F. So your 100watt light bulb may, in fact, be suitable for you for a cage that size. You've got a thermometer, so double check that the area isn't too hot.

Just a few tips that I can think of off the top of my head. Otherwise your set-up sounds fantastic! You've got non-toxic plants, lots of climbing/basking/hiding areas, drippers etc. I think you are more than ready to go! Now you just need to find a chameleon.

Post some pics when you finally get him!

Oh, and one last thing... click here for one more decent caresheet on Panther Chameleons

Cheers!

Trace

Jason: If your Panther Chameleon is not basking, maybe YOUR basking is too hot or it's not in the right spot for the comfort/security of Max. I think you should get yourself a thermometer to ensure your husbandry is correct.

[dank7oo]

it weird ... he basks just not basks .. if that makes any sense ...
he has 2 spots were he can bask .. one right near the lamp, and one a little lower .. he goes to the lower one sooo ... lol

(sorry if i came on a little strong .. just 100 seems high)

updatish ... i went up a measured the temp just to insure it was correct ... directly under the heat lamp it measure 102.3 degrees F however the branch that he sits on all day is 8 inches under the lamp, so it does work out to be approx. 93 degrees where he sits all day

[Brock]

100 is too high. I can guarantee you a burn or two if the lamp is too close to where your panther will bask. 50-60watts is good, 75 is maximum I would ever use. I made the mistake of using a 100watt once and my female has some very nasty scars on her from it. I've seen a very disturbing picture of a Parson's chameleon that had a 100watt basking spot. Poor guy.

You can move the 100watt further away, but you'd have to go through the trouble of having to hanging it away from your enclosure. With a 50-60watt you can just place the lamp right on top of the screen.


-Brock

[Geofft]

ok, Ill return the bulb and get a 60-75 watt bulb. But I need a tree. A non toxic tree. Something about 4-5 ft high. I have a ficus but its about a foot high at the moment. Any suggestions? that are less then 100 dollars?

[Trace]

Why don't you elavate the tree in some way? Like put it on a stool or something? I have a few large cages like yours and RARELY do my chameleons go into the bottom half. So if you can get the plants a little higher temporarily, that may do the trick.

Other members on this site have had great success by hanging a pothos plant from the top of the enclosure and letting the stems hang down.

Just a few random thoughts! Hope it helps.

Trace

[choriona]

if you hit the garden centers just before the spring time, there are great deals on the indoor plants - they are making room for the outdoor ones. That is usually when I stock up on new plants. I got a 4 ft. fiscus tree from RONA for only $30. Canadian tire usually has good deals on plants - they just aren't in as good of shape as a garden center would have them. Try unconvential places, like Wal-Mart.
Just remember to wash the leaves real good once you purchase them, to remove any fertilizer sprays or pesticides. Also, you may want to change the dirt to ensure the "tasty" looking white fertilizer balls are not in site for curious chameleons!