Background on DIY cage

I have started a DIY cage that is 3 sides wood and front and top screen. I have a question for everyone. Not thinking cost but thinking what the cham would feel more at home in.

What would you do with the 3 sides of wood? Meaning, I can have a company print off a large sticker photo of a forest and apply that to the back and side walls. I don't want to see the wood inside the cage. Would rather have the cham feel more like being in nature. Of course the inside will then be decked out with plants and vines all over. I'm just stuck on what to do with the 3 walls.

Cage so far has only costed $100.00, printed photos cost $270.00.

You can put Great Stuff Foam on the 3 faces of wood and then apply a substrate to it. It will make the cage look more naturalistic as well as water proof the wood.

I'm actually doing something similar with a screen cage . I've completed the background so I'll post a pick to give you an idea. Its a common technique used for darts frogs terrariums.

Here is a GSF background with Titebond II and cocofiber + organic peat. You can really get detailed with backgrounds but I had to finish this quick because I am moving. There's also planters stuck in the background. Adding the variety of plants is the funnest part of the project .

I do love those. Never tried using great stuff and that was the first plan to do a living wall but I chickened out. Then the more I looked at the cage I didn't want to lose space. Would a cham use the walls this way and be able to climb them? Then it would give more space and I'm all about that. In time he will be able to free roam in the bedroom but has to take turns with the other guys I have. Each one gets a day to run free.

My guy likes to climb but I'm sure most will just chill on the horizontal branches. I'm hoping the background combined with my mistking will retain humidity well.

You can just apply the substrate straight to minimize the footprint reduction. I know they sell tree fern panels, but that might get expensive depending on your cage size.

Take a look at Zoo Meds cork backgrounds, my chameleon likes climbing up and down it. I went for a natural forest look, gives the feeling of a real tree and easy to install. Amazon is the cheapest I can find, here is a link to my build https://www.chameleonforums.com/petris-journal-page-136482/

eat2muchrice I love your set up. In fact when I finally finish this cage I was going to post my feeder cup, I made one close to yours and it turned out. So my cage is 5' tall by 3' wide by 2' deep. I was looking at wholesale for cork flats but that was pricey as well as the photo printing. Plus there is 3 walls to add the cork to. I know if I even try the living wall idea if it doesn't turn out I'm stuck with it, can't redo.

Have you thought about a simple stone panel? I have TXTR-LITE panels on the back of my cage (actually, Ferdinand is featured on their website under "Customer Installs" - he's famous!).

http://www.txtr-lite.com/

They used to sell flawed panels for cheap. They might still - you'll have to call them.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/txtr-lite-panels-photos-115144/

Here's a thread about some great background options, too:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/cheapest-faux-rock-wall-110525/

Thank you Lathis I will check them out and call tomorrow about it. Looks easy enough for even me to install and I'm not handy at all!!!!

This is what I made for my Kingsnake out of styrofoam, it was really simple, my only tip for you is to use a candle and work your project upside down.



Good luck!

Ok this is what we are now thinking of. I called the company that Lathis mentioned, didn't seem very nice on the phone. Had to call twice for someone to answer. Lady took my name and number and said she would call back but I have not heard anything. So on to another plan. I started looking over different veneers. I came across one that looks like real bamboo. If I could get this panel and line it going up and down it would look like a bamboo forest. Very tropical looking or at least close to it. Then I could just go with the photo of a tropical forest on the side walls. So we went into Steins for some new pots and soil and my husband came along. He asked about the bamboo and I said they do sell that here. We looked at what is sold for bamboo sticks and he thinks it should work to cut them length wise and glue them onto the back wall. Now that is a cool idea that would look very real.
What do you guys think? Anyone know anything about bamboo sticks?

Tough for chams to climb on but they look nice and last forever.

So would a cham try to climb it and fall? I don't want that. From what I have read on here I'm ready to line the bottom of the cage with pillows in case he does fall. I'm already nervous and he isn't even born yet (getting close). His name is picked out already and I want the cage perfect by the time he arrives.

I doubt he'll climb it but if he tries, he probably can't even grip it anyways.

repdog said:

I called the company that Lathis mentioned, didn't seem very nice on the phone.

Click to expand...

Ugh, I'm sorry about that. I feel bad that they were rude to you.

No problems we have plan D in motion. Heading to the store tomorrow as today I had to make cookies(400).