Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

ern79 · Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:30 pm Post subject: panther chams lighting/heating

i have 2 small panther chameleons in the shop, they are kept under a spot bulb for uva with a 90 deg spot temp 75-80 ambient and high humidity and a 5.0 uvb fluorescent, i had a customer today who also works in a reptile shop very concerned at my set up for them, she reckoned that they had lost panthers before and they had turned black, she was adamant that i use an infra red bulb and get one on there as soon as possible. My little guys appear fine, the wander around the viv, bask, i have yet to see them eat but as they arrived friday and the weekend has been crazy busy, i havent had much time to watch them. What are you thoughts on the i.r bulb, this seemed a bit odd to me and i dont see what they could gain from it, it seems to go against everything i have read on them.
_________________
"perfection in miniature"

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

I see no need for it...does she mean at night?
_________________

ern79 · Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:54 pm Post subject:

i think she meant to just change the bulb totally
_________________
"perfection in miniature"

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

What benefit would IR have over a basking spot...? You can even get a UV power sun type basking spot...which would help with calcium etc...

Sorry...I'm no expert on this...but I wouldn't see the need myself...just my two pence Smile

If your panther babies are well fed and hydrated and active (in normal colouration) then I don't see the problem really....I'm sure someone else will add to this though...lots of people with panther babies at the moment (I only have an adult) Smile

_________________

LeeWarren · Key Member Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Posts: 210

Your setup sounds spot on apart from the high humidity. Never keep the viv constantly humid always allow for a drying out period between mistings.

And as for the red bulb. Rubbish. Went black and died! Could be a number of things, Dehydration, to hot, to cold etc.

How big are the babies? For e,g a 4 week old would require a slightly different environment than say a 3 to 4 month panther.

ern79 · Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 11:55 pm Post subject:

thanks for the hint on the humidity, these guys are 2.5-3" snout to vent so maybe a few months old theyre a lot bigger than the 2- 3 month old veilds i have
_________________
"perfection in miniature"