Image Credit : Mickael Leger Photographie
Panther Chameleons are a large species, which are easily recognized by their vibrant color patterns and short bony appendage at the tip of the nose of males. They do well in captive environments with consistent care. The first step toward successfully keeping your chameleon happy and healthy is to set up their enclosure.
The Panther Chameleon is a striking, beautiful and hardy captive, which is excellent for the first time chameleon owner. Their relatively simple care requirements, impressive features and odd behavior make them an interesting and conversation starting display for any dedicated enthusiast.
- Scientific name : Furcifer pardalis
- Distribution : Madagascar, Mauritius, Reunion
- Average Size : 0.45 m (1.5 ft)
- Life Span : 4 years or more
- Difficulty : Intermediate
Housing
Furcifer pardalis will normally be housed in a open air screen cage. Adult males should be housed in nothing smaller than a 0.6 x 0.6 x 1.2 meters (24 x 24 x 48 inches) screen cage. Adult Females shouldn’t be housed in anything smaller than a 0.45 x 0.45 x 0.9 meters (18 x 18 x 36 inches) screen cage. Screen Cages must be furnished with plants. Artificial Plants can be used with much success.
Hide box
None. Live plant cover is ideal for hiding.
Substrate
No Substrate is needed. Furcifer pardalis like other chameleons will eat substrate either intentionally or by accident when shooting prey. I generally cover any exposed soil in potted plants to discourage this behavior. If substrate is used organic soil would be preferred.
Humidity
A good humidity level for Furcifer pardalis would be 60-80% on the highs when misting and when not 40-60% is a good average. But you must ensure the constant spikes when misting occurs so they can get the higher levels.
Water
As many other species of chameleons, Furcifer pardalis will drink off standing leaves to obtain hydration. So the best form of hydration would be a auto misting unit that goes of 5 times daily for 2 minute intervals and the first misting in the morning at 4 minutes. The reason being is when they first wake up they drink the most so you want them to have the option to get there fill of water.
Lighting – Heating
Furcifer pardalis require UVB, and A basking lamp. UVB bulbs used should be the florescent tube variety. They produce more UVB per Sq. In. Compared to the coil variety. Basking lamps can be small mini halogen flood lamps around 60W or incandescent house bulbs at 60W also. You want your temperatures to range throughout the cage at the top about 12″ from the bulb from adult males you want 30°C (86-87 °F) best temps for basking.
Adult females want at around 28°C (83-85 °F). Younger juvenile panthers will require around 28°C (81-83 °F) until they are around 6 months then raise temps to what adults can handle. You want to create ambient temps throughout the enclosure for instance 30°C (86 °F) basking temp up top, middle 25°C (76-80 °F) and near the bottom 21-24°C (70-76 °F) so they can get out of the warm if need be and adjust there body temperature how they want. keep light cycles at 12 Hr Intervals Exp. ( 7A.M.-7P.M.) UVB bulbs must be changed every 6 months or every year depending on Bulb. EXP. Zoo med repti sun has to be changed every 6 months. Arcadia Bulbs have to be changed every 12 months.
Feeding
Feed daily 10-15 crickets of correct size for age of the chameleon. The correct size is no wider than the width between the eyes. Have a variety of feeders available. Exp. – silk worms, super worms, horn worms, calci-worms(Repti-worms), stick insects, praying mantis, roaches (many different species but very healthy for chameleons).
Supplement Schedule- Dust daily with calcium Without D3- Dust every 2 weeks with multi-vitamin with D3.
Gravid females may require extra liquid calcium injections for proper egg production.
Handling
Can be handled. Each chameleon has their own personality some like to be handled others not so much but with slow movements and patience many will be okay with the idea of being handled.
Cleaning
Clean fecal matter from bottom of cage once a week and every two weeks completely clean enclosure with Hydrogen Peroxide and White vinegar. This is completely safe for Chameleons and with rinse off very easily.
Shedding
It occurs approximately once a month. No ad is necessary, humidity and misting are sufficient for shedding.
Potential Health Problems
Common issued over supplementation can cause Gular Edema, or Renal Failure. MBD( Metabolic Bone Disease) Caused from not enough calcium and Multi-Vitamins, also from Old UVB Bulbs UVB bulbs must be changed every 6 Months or Every year depending on Bulb. EXP. Zoo med repti-sun has to be changed every 6 months. Arcadia Bulbs have to be changed every 12 months.
Source
The information contained in this care sheet reflect the opinions and methods of the mentioned breeder, based on their expertise and long-established experience.