Panther chameleons

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
In the summer we go away and I am thinking of getting a panther chameleon, but I read on a website that you have to feed them every day and that won't work for our lifestyle. So do you have to feed them every day or can you feed them every second day?

ANSWER: Hi Paige,

One of the advantages of keeping reptiles over other animals is their low metabolism. The only time I recommend daily feeding is with young hatchlings and even then an occasional missed day will not cause any harm. Adults can be offered food a couple times a week.

You can also "container feed" with chameleons which would allow you to leave some extra insects safely in the enclosure. Use an opaque plastic container like a yoghurt container. Punching a few holes near the top will allow you to attach it to some branches in the enclosure with twist ties. Position it just under some climbing branches that will allow the chameleon to see down into the container and hunt from. Chameleons quickly learn to use a feeding container.  A pinch of flaked fish food and a small slice of orange in the container will feed and water the crickets. Starving crickets are not very nutritious!

The bigger problem with a chameleon would be with watering it. They don't drink from standing water in a bowl but require droplets generated from spraying or water dripping through foliage.
Again, a single day without water is not a concern but if you are away for longer then you will need someone to come in and spray your cham.

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QUESTION: if you only have to feed 3 times a week, how many crickets would you feed an adult male in one meal.

for watering your chameleon,in the summer is it okay to use a water fountain, but he would also get misted every second day.

ANSWER: Hi Paige,

I would suggest offering about 10 - 12 crickets every second day. Reptiles can become overweight which shortens their lifespan so after their rapid growth phase is over a "maintenance" diet is what you want. Variety is important  as not all feeder insects have the same nutritional composition. I tend to use about 60% crickets and vary the remaining with large mealworms, silkworms etc.

A water fountain should work fine as long as the water cascades in such a way that your cham. recognizes it and can access it. Another option is a small volume fish filter. They work in just a couple inches of water (you could sit it in a ceramic bowl) and produce a gentle, filtered, adjustable flow. I use them when I raise tadpoles.  

This is the one that I use:

http://reviews.petco.com/3554/13868/whisper-tetra-whisper-in-tank-filters-review

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QUESTION: what type and brand of basking light should I use for a chameleon.

Answer
Hi Paige,

Any incandescent bulb will produce heat for basking. Buying basking bulbs from a pet store means paying a premium price for a picture of a reptile on the box! I buy heat bulbs from hardware, home supply or farm supply stores depending on how large a bulb I need. When possible I like to use bulbs suitable for outdoor use that can withstand contact with moisture without shattering.

Years ago, when I last used bulbs sold for reptiles I noticed that the Zoomed bulbs would put out more heat then the similar wattage bulb by Exo-terra. The wattage is the amount of energy the bulb uses.

The only basking bulbs that need to be purchased from a pet store are the specialized mercury vapour bulbs produced for use with reptiles. These produce both heat and UVB.