How to Care for a Panther Chameleon

The panther chameleon hails from Madagascar and is an ideal beginner's pet for someone who's never had a reptile before. From their lightning-fast tongues to their prehensile tails and independently moving eyes, these brilliantly colored creatures are fun to observe and keep as a pet. Read on to learn how to care for a panther chameleon.

Things You'll Need

  • Mesh enclosure
  • Incandescent bulb
  • Climbing branch
  • Fresh water
  • Crickets
  • Fruit flies
  • Wax worms
  • Chameleon dietary supplement
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Instructions

    • 1

      Provide the panther chameleon with its own habitat if you own multiple specimens. Panther chameleons remain solitary in the wild, except for when mating, and forcing them to share a small enclosure can cause stress or fighting.

    • 2

      Give the panther chameleon a wire or mesh enclosure rather than a glass aquarium. Chameleons need the airflow mesh cages provide.

    • 3

      Ensure that the temperature is warm enough for the chameleon to maintain a healthy body temperature. The air temperature must be at least 80 degrees F and you must provide an incandescent bulb so the reptile can bask.

    • 4

      Place a branch in the panther chameleon's enclosure to indulge its love for climbing. Cover the incandescent bulb with mesh to prevent it from climbing on this and burning itself.

    • 5

      Supply the panther chameleon with fresh water every day. Supplement this by misting the enclosure with fresh water to prevent dehydration, a common problem in chameleons.

    • 6

      Feed the panther chameleon with brown crickets, fruit flies or wax worms. You can dust the chameleon's food with a commercially prepared supplement to ward off nutritional deficiencies.