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| The Trip Home: Take your pet directly home. Have the new terrarium completely set up before bringing your pet home. If your driving home, keep cage, box, or whatever you have the chameleon in out of the sun. Wait three or four days before handling your chameleon. Remember Chameleons are a very high stress animal, and many don't respond well to human interaction. General Info. Panther Chameleons (C.Paradalis) are often referred as the most beautiful reptile. There are various subspecies based on location (Locale) but all Panther chameleons originate from Madagascar. Chameleons in general are very high maintenance and not recommended for the impulse buyer, but Panther Chameleons are known to be a little more forgiving than most other species. Chameleons are best known for their ability to change color. This variable allows them to disappear into their environment and communicate with other chameleons. Panther chameleons are very territorial; it is best if they are kept singularly. All chameleons are similar in that they hunt with the use of a specialized eyes and tongue. The chameleon�s eyes rotate independently of each other to allow them to focus intently upon their prey. Once the prey is in view (and within range) their sticky tongue has the ability to shoot out and select prey up to 1.5 body lengths away. Many chameleons will accept prey right out of their keeper's hand! Terrarium Setup Terrarium Must consist of branches, Panther Chameleons are arboreal (primarily tree-dwelling) and need lots of climbing surfaces. A mesh or cage terrarium is reccomended, Chameleons need proper air circulaton to prevent respiratory illness this is why many don't reccommend aquariums as a proper housing. Proper lighting is essential, UVA, and UVB has to be provided this not only brings out the colours in your chameleon, but also is essential in the development of bones and prevent (MBD) metabolic bone disease. Also have a basking light placed strategically over a branch where your chameleon can go to raise its body temperature. Be certain to measure the temperature and humidity of the terrarium. Temperature / Lighting Be certain to measure the temperature and humidity of the terrarium, below is a guide of the temperatures you are aiming for. Temperature/Humidity: Daytime temperature 77-81�. Basking area temperature 90-95�. Nighttime temperature 65-75�. The humidity should be at 70% or higher. Lighting: Ultraviolet (UVA/UVB) lights should be provided for 12 hours each day. A timer will assist in maintaining an accurate schedule. Substrate The use of substrate is not essential, and not recommended by many chameleon owners/breeders. If you decide to use a substrate It must be digested easily by the chameleon. I recommend a mixture of Bed-A-Beast with moist moss. The substrate should be kept moist to maintain an even humidity level, but changed regularly to avoid bacterial growth. Feeding/Watering: A diet consisting of a variety of insects such as: Crickets Superworms Waxworms Butterworms Small mealworms Insects that are fed to the chameleons should be fed a diet of: Leafy vegetables (especially kale) Squash Waxworms Sweet potatoes You should feed the insects at least 24 hours before feeding them to the chameleon. Set up a drip system on top of the habitat that allows a single drop of water to fall every couple seconds. The drip system works best when water falls onto a leaf allowing the chameleon to drink at their leisure. Also dust insects twice a week with a calcium supplement. I recommend a phosphorus free supplement. |
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