Sorry, wrote you a caresheet!
Hi Jeff,
Congrats on the new panther! How old or big is he? Because he is a rainforest species you do need to provide a high humidity. Not just misting. Not sure about the mister you bought, but here's some hands on misting info, etc. Having a good size enclosure (I'd suggest a 4x4ft at least)or shorter width, taller height.) They need to feel like they're in a tree looking down on you. They need screen not glass, so they get fresh air, and don't see their reflection.
It's hard to just mist and get humidity, so fill it with a few potted plants like hibiscus, ficus, or pothos (Non toxic plants). Keep the soil moist. Keep a bowl of water in the cage. You can put an empty bowl in the cage daily, and sit a large plastic cup of water with a pinhole in the bottom, on top of the cage, over the bowl, and the dripping into the bowl will teach the cham to drink out of the bowl. Just becareful the water doesn't drip into the lighting!
He should be misted at least 3 times a day, with very warm water. You can touch it and not get burn't warm, or warm like a babies bath. Test it by misting your arm and you'll see it cools before hitting you. You want to first mist down the enclosure, all around him, then mist him gently, slowly so he doesn't run off. Then open the cage door and mist him a little closer, gently and if he's licking the mist, I turn it to more of a squirt and slowly dribble it near his mouth (if he's an adult). You want to be careful not to make him aspirate or choke on it, but he will drink it daily, and it'd be good for him.
But if he's young, just mist well for about 5min, about 3-4times a day. Teaching him to drink daily is good for him. Breathing in a misty, humid environment is good too.
Chameleon's are very delicate and sensitive to bacteria and his cage should be cleaned at least weekly. If it's not screen, bacteria will grow quicker. His cage should be secluded, so he can't see other reptiles or animals as they will stress him. I just use lot's of plants around them and that provides humidity. If you look at his cage and can spot him easily, it's not secluded enough for him.
He's a solitary reptile, that's mostly a don't touch me pet. I use a stick for them to climb onto if I need to take him out. If you have a tree in his cage, you can stick the tree with him on it( when he's an adult), in the shower, out of the water and just getting the mist, about once a week, while washing his cage bottom (But don't drown him, you'll have to monitor him)
Sorry, I wrote you a book! But I love these guys, and hate when I hear; Ohh he loves to be held and stays out of his cage, but I don't understand why he died.
Good luck!
