{"id":4455,"date":"2014-10-07T21:03:48","date_gmt":"2014-10-07T21:03:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lafeber.com\/staging\/vet\/?p=4455"},"modified":"2016-01-30T12:33:57","modified_gmt":"2016-01-30T12:33:57","slug":"basic-information-for-the-panther-chameleon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/vet\/basic-information-for-the-panther-chameleon\/","title":{"rendered":"Basic Information Sheet: Panther Chameleon"},"content":{"rendered":"

Panther Chameleon (Furcifer<\/em> or Chamaeleo pardalis<\/em>)<\/h1>\n

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Natural history<\/h2>\n

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\nThe panther chameleon is indigenous to Madagascar.<\/p>\n

Most specimens in the pet trade used to be wild caught, however with changes in Madagascar\u2019s export regulations and better understanding of the care of these exquisite lizards, most are now captive-bred.
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Taxonomy<\/h2>\n

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\nClass<\/strong>: Reptilia<\/em><\/p>\n

Order<\/strong>: Squamata<\/em><\/p>\n

Family<\/strong>: Chamaeleonidae<\/em><\/p>\n

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Color and size<\/h2>\n

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\nMales may reach 20 in (50 cm) long, while females typically measure about 14 in (35 cm) long. By 2-2.5 years of age, adult males typically weigh 200- 220 grams while females weight 140-160 grams.<\/p>\n

The panther chameleon is variably colored in green, brown, red, orange, or turquoise.<\/p>\n

Chameleons change color as a result of complex internal and external cues involving such factors as recognition of nearby conspecifics, adjustments to environmental temperature, breeding behaviors, and basking in sunlight. Color change is generally not used as camouflage. Instead, chameleons utilize their stillness and halting gait, and to a lesser degree their coloration, as protection from predator detection.
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Diet<\/h2>\n

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\nFeed a variety of gut-loaded insects such as crickets, mealworms, waxworms, superworms, grasshoppers, silkworms, and Madagascar roaches of appropriate size.<\/p>\n

Dust the non-breeding adult’s diet with a calcium carbonate or calcium gluconate supplement once weekly, perhaps more often if exposure to UVB light is limited. Calcium supplements should be devoid or low in phosphorus with a minimum Ca:P ratio of 2:1.<\/p>\n

A general vitamin\/mineral supplement may also be offered once weekly. The panther chameleon may be relatively sensitive to over-supplementation of vitamin A so use caution.<\/p>\n

For more information, download the client handout: Feeding Insect Eating Reptiles<\/a>.
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Husbandry<\/h2>\n

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<\/a>Temperature<\/td>\nMaintain a temperature gradient of 70-90\u00b0F (24-32\u00b0C) with a basking spot that reaches 95\u00b0F (35\u00b0C). Cage temperature may drop to 65-70\u00b0F (18-21\u00b0C) at night.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Humidity\/water<\/td>\nMaintain 60-80 % relative humidity. Offer water either by misting the plants every 4-8 hours or with an automatic watering system.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cage size and design<\/td>\nHouse adults in a large, vertical wire enclosure. Plastic-coated wire-welded mesh enclosures serve well. Minimum cage size is 2 x 2 x 3 feet but much larger is recommended.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cage furniture\/supplies<\/td>\nProvide multiple branches or twigs for climbing, potted plants (e.g. Ficus benjamina<\/em> or hibiscus) to provide visual security, and a full-spectrum light source for normal absorption of dietary calcium.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Social structure<\/td>\nChameleons are generally solitary creatures and do best when housed singly, however, one male with one or two females can usually coexist well in a large cage with many visual barriers. Males are moderately territorial and should not be housed together.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Lifespan<\/h2>\n

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\n2-5 years
\nChameleons typically reach sexual maturity between 6-9 months.
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Anatomy\/ physiology<\/h2>\n

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Dermatologic:<\/td>\n“Chromatophores” or specialized cells in the skin allow color change.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Respiratory:<\/td>\nLizards have incomplete tracheal rings.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Musculoskeletal:<\/td>\nChameleons are didactyl:\u00a0 five toes are fused into groups of two laterally and three medially giving the foot a mitten-like appearance.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gastrointestinal:<\/td>\nThe tongue is a complicated structure that sits within a structure at the base of the oral cavity. The tip of the tongue is normally darker where the taste buds are found.
\nAcrodont dentition: Teeth are not set in sockets, but instead are weakly attached to the jawbone surface.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ophthalmic:<\/td>\nThe upper and lower eyelids are fused with only a pinhole opening for the pupil. The eyes can rotate and focus separately.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Urogenital:<\/td>\nA renal portal system is present.
\nLike many lizards, the chameleon has a thin-walled bladder.
\nThe male copulatory organ is the hemipenes.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sexual dimorphism:<\/td>\nMales are larger than females (see Size above<\/em>).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Restraint<\/h2>\n

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\nChameleons are most comfortable when allowed to perch on a wooden dowel or finger. When manual restraint is necessary, place one hand underneath to allow the chameleon to grip with its feet. Place the palm of your other hand over the chameleon’s back. Grasp the head behind the eyes with the thumb and index finger.<\/p>\n

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Venipuncture<\/h2>\n

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\nVentral tail (coccygeal) vein<\/p>\n

(The ventral abdominal vein is not easily found).
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Preventive medicine<\/h2>\n

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