Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm getting a male panther, and was wondering where I can get a radiant heat panel. How many watts is enoug?- (for panther cham)
Are umbrella plants a good choice. I'm going to go with hibiscus too. Also, I bought a screen cage that's 48x24x24, is that big enough for a male panther?

Thomas

the cage is good, the plants are good, for the heating, may i suggest a mercury vapor bulb? they provide both heat and uv lighting in one source. never heard of a heat panel......

Radiant heat panels are a source of continuous heat without light. The whole panel emits heat rather than concentrating it in one area like a basking spot would do. The radiant panel will heat a lot larger area than a spot, so make sure there is enough space in the cage to provide a gradient of heat from one area to another. Curious: Why do you want this instead of basking spots? To heat more than one cage or to put across the top of a very large one? Also, the chams need light as well and a drop in temp at night. I don't know if you will get your money's worth out of a panel...as chams need a variable temp regime and the panel is most efficient at maintaining a stable temp over time. For light sensitive species like chams I think spots controlled by timers will work a bit better and cost a lot less. Panels are great for herps who want constant safe heat day and night.

I'll go with the mercury vapor bulb. How many watts though?

you should be ok with a 100 watt if it's a 24x24x48 heat lamp.