Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

jen23 · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 3:37 am Post subject: panther substrate and ventilation

i am expecting to get two panther's a male and a female fairly soon and i have my viv all set up but i'm beginning to doubt it now... the shop that i purchased it all from suggested that i use orchid bark as the substrate because it will retain some water, thus helping with the humidity, so i have, but i've been reading on here that they shouldn't have any substrate? the orchid bark does look nice but i don't want to sacrifice their health for the sake of a nice looking viv!

also, my viv is wooden with a glass front, but i'm worried this wont provide enough ventilation? it does have 5 small vents in the back but will i need to add a mesh section as well? and if so what kind of mesh, where would i get it, apply it etc? it's just a standard viv, 4 foot tall 3 foot wide but i'll try n put some pictures on.

oo as well, i was hoping to have them both in the same viv as they told me at the shop it would be large enough for this, even after i expressed my concern that i've read they might be stressed living together, but since buying it all i've read more reinforcing that i should not put them together. can anyone clear this up for me? i'm hoping not to need two 4 foot vivs as along with my other pets its going to take up a lot of space, but if it would be better for them then i'll have two.

big post! lol just don't think you can get too much info, well, as long as it doesn't all contradict each other! thanks Smile

jennifer
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Jennifer

mcfluffin · CaptiveBred Addict! Joined: 21 Mar 2007 Posts: 943

jen23 · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 5:19 pm Post subject:

i hoped i might be able to keep them together but i think its clear now thats not guna happen! i could divide the viv but then they'd only have like a foot n a half each in width n this seems quite small? i could turn the viv on the side but then would it be tall enough? Confused

its just one male and one female btw.

is the no substrate thing just about cleaning then? coz i dont mind that as much, i just thought it was more to do with them accidently eating it and this causing them problems?

do you mean the whole of the front in mesh?? i thought maybe just the bottom section? coz with that much mesh it'll be hard to maintain the temp. and humidity Confused

i've read people have the mesh on top, should this be as well as the front or instead of? there's not guna be much left of my original viv! lol.

yeah i'm not gettin the chameleons from the pet shop, i'm hoping to get them off lee warren when they are ready. i wanted some so much, it was really hard to stop myself! lol i just think they're amazing little things Smile

there's a lot to learn about them though!

thanks for your reply! Very Happy

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Jennifer

garysumpter · CaptiveBred Addict! Joined: 07 Apr 2006 Posts: 914

Jen,

Seems you have been led right up the garden path!!

You need more ventillation, NO substrate and DO NOT keep them together!!!

Sorry but you need to sort these things before taking delivery of them Smile

Gary
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jen23 · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 6:20 pm Post subject:

i wont be gettin them for a little while yet anyway, the males only 2 weeks old and i wont be getting him till 3 months so plenty of time to sort things out!

so what sort of mesh should i be using? and where can i get it from? i've only got plastic plants in there at the moment but should i be putting some real ones in? i know they help with humidity but they don't eat them or anything (i am told) so will plastic ones be ok as long as i can keep the humidity up? where can i get the plants from and do they need to be replaced frequently or do they grow in the viv?

so much to learn! thanks gary
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Jennifer

garysumpter · CaptiveBred Addict! Joined: 07 Apr 2006 Posts: 914

No problem,

You are best with a flexarium

http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/flexarium.php

or you mind want to look at the new screen terrariums...

http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/screen_terrarium.php

Gary
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Need a website? 8 years experience, GREAT rates for reptile keepers, currently designing several reptile websites. Also graphic design, hosting and marketing services.

http://www.sitewonders.co.uk
gary@sitewonders.co.uk

herp_boi

[quote="mcfluffin"]

jen23 · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 6:45 pm Post subject:

think i like the screen terrarium but the flexarium would be more practical in summer. didn't see any prices though? what am i supposed to do with the wooden viv i have now though?? its brand new and its already cost me over £300 Sad

i guess i rushed into that a bit Sad

i just presumed they would be sellin me the right stuff... grr. i might keep it and put one of them in there and one in a screened terrarium. what size would i need for the female panther, fully grown? any idea how much its guna cost?

plus i'll still need the mesh for the wooden one. has anyone fitted there own mesh that could help me out?
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Jennifer

jen23 · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 6:47 pm Post subject:

and i think you'll find he's a she! thank you very much!! Mad

not mad really Laughing

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Jennifer

garysumpter · CaptiveBred Addict! Joined: 07 Apr 2006 Posts: 914