Caring for a pet Panther Chameleon properly involves creating the right environment, and then maintaining it so that temperatures and humidity levels are appropriate and consistent. This may be slightly more time consuming and costly than it would be for other lizards, but it is straight-forward and relatively simple. For most situations, we recommend starting babies off in small, tall terrariums and upgrading to large, tall terrariums before they reach their mature adult size. Zoo Med’s 12”x12”x18” Naturalist Terrarium or ReptiBreeze Terrarium are both ideal for young panthers, with adults requiring something about twice that size. (Airflow is important for Panther Chameleons, so the screen cage options are ideal, provided the right temperature and humidity can be achieved when using one.)

Panther Chameleons will likely never journey down to the cage floor, so bedding isn’t essential, but we recommend it. We like Zoo Med’s Eco Earth and ReptiSoil substrates, filled to a depth of about 2 inches, as both are excellent at holding moisture and increasing humidity. A choice piece or two of cork bark or sandblasted grapevine should be placed vertically to provide plenty of climbing area and hide spots. Artificial or live plants are also important elements in a well put together Panther Chameleon cage. These plants will beautify the terrarium for the owner, while also providing the chameleon with a greater feeling of comfort and security. Growing live plants inside a terrarium are easy, as many different plant species grow very well in the tropical environment that was created for the animal.

Captive Panther Chameleons will require supplemental sources of heat and UVB light to substitute for what the sun would provide naturally. The ambient cage temperature should be kept at approximately 75°F, with a basking hot spot around 85°F. In addition, they must be provided with a full spectrum UVB lighting source. UVB is critical to their health as it aids in their bodies synthesizing Vitamin D3 and properly absorbing the calcium in their diet. A bulb with mid-range output is ideal, and we recommend the Zoo Med 5.0 linear and compact fluorescent bulbs for all chameleon species.

Humidity is also very important, and panthers require levels in the range of 50% – 70% for optimum wellness. Increasing relative humidity can be easily accomplished by misting the cage two or three times per day with a spray bottle and keeping a dripper system running during daytime hours. We also recommend the Zoo Med ReptiFogger for all humidity loving animals as it is very easy to use and relieves the owner of the responsibility of daily misting. Panther Chameleons will most typically drink from the small water droplets that accumulate on the sides of the terrarium and the plant leaves after a good misting, but we do still recommend keeping a small water dish, with clean water available at all times. Understand that providing a pet chameleon with the proper environment is crucial to its health. We strongly recommend using a Thermometer & Humidity Gauge to ensure conditions are right as it is very hard to guess these things with much accuracy.

Once it’s environmental needs have been met, simply provide your chameleon a few appropriately sized Dubia Roaches or Crickets every other day and you’ll have a happy, healthy pet. It is actually very entertaining to watch chameleons hunt insects down. Panther Chameleons use their very long, sticky tongues to catch prey from a distance. They are capable of rapidly extending their tongues towards an unsuspecting insect to a distance nearly equal to their body length! When their tongue’s bulbous tip makes contact with the insect it sticks right to it, thanks to a thin layer of mucus, enabling it to quickly pull its prey right into its mouth!