Climbing material for inside of DIY enclosure

[Steve A]

Hello everyone,

I'm building my own enclosure (36"x24"x48") for our next chameleon (this one is gonna be a panther). I see some people line the inside of their enclosure with some kind of wide gap material. Some kind of coated wiring, almost like small fencing material. I'm interested in doing this since it would block the actual mesh screen so that if he does climb on it, he's climbing on that instead of the mesh. Does anyone know what this material is called? I want to make sure I get something that makes sense, and will last. I can obviously find something but I want to make sure it's not something that is gonna flake off and harm my chameleon or anything. Thank you!


**edit: I'm wondering if I could use something like this
https://www.amazon.com/Fencer-Wire-...ocphy=9003886&hvtargid=pla-967049269634&psc=1

 

[MissSkittles]

I think what you’re referring to is egg crate for lighting. At least, that’s what I used for making faux panels. This stuff. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Plaskol...-Crate-Light-Ceiling-Panel-1199233A/202025149 It can be a bit on the fragile side. While it can support the weight of a chameleon, I wouldn’t be hanging a plant on it. For something sturdier that you can hang plants and branches from, maybe try garden trellis. Whatever you use, you’ll need to secure it to the frame of your enclosure rather than the screening. Usually, if you provide lots of branches, vines and plants it will minimize the amount of screen climbing your chameleon will do. It’s usually just the young ones that it can be a problem.

 

[JacksJill]

I think you are seeing green garden fencing. It is a plastic barrier used to keep rabbits out of gardens or support some plants.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/BOEN-4-ft-x-100-ft-Green-Construction-Snow-Safety-Barrier-Fence-
There are more natural options like adding more branches and I have seen a bamboo lattice used but I don't know if it make for a good grip.

 

[Steve A]

I think what you’re referring to is egg crate for lighting. At least, that’s what I used for making faux panels. This stuff. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Plaskol...-Crate-Light-Ceiling-Panel-1199233A/202025149 It can be a bit on the fragile side. While it can support the weight of a chameleon, I wouldn’t be hanging a plant on it. For something sturdier that you can hang plants and branches from, maybe try garden trellis. Whatever you use, you’ll need to secure it to the frame of your enclosure rather than the screening. Usually, if you provide lots of branches, vines and plants it will minimize the amount of screen climbing your chameleon will do. It’s usually just the young ones that it can be a problem.

I've seen that but what I am referring to is something just like the mesh screen. but it's usually coated, and much wider gaps so it's better on the chameleons feet so they're not on the actual screen.

 

[Steve A]

I think you are seeing green garden fencing. It is a plastic barrier used to keep rabbits out of gardens or support some plants.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/BOEN-4-ft-x-100-ft-Green-Construction-Snow-Safety-Barrier-Fence-
There are more natural options like adding more branches and I have seen a bamboo lattice used but I don't know if it make for a good grip.

Similar! but something more like a wire. sturdier. like this (But I don't know if this exact product would be okay for a chameleon )

https://www.amazon.com/Fencer-Wire-...ocphy=9003886&hvtargid=pla-967049269634&psc=1

 

[MissSkittles]

I would suggest going to Home Depot or Lowe’s and look around and get a literal feel for your different options.

 

[Steve A]

I would suggest going to Home Depot or Lowe’s and look around and get a literal feel for your different options.

Yeah I think that's what I'll do. I'm just so paranoid with putting something in there that can cause any potential harm. I was hoping people would know what I mean but I am terrible at explaining I'll know what it is when I see it.

 

[Janet Jackson]

Hello everyone,

I'm building my own enclosure (36"x24"x48") for our next chameleon (this one is gonna be a panther). I see some people line the inside of their enclosure with some kind of wide gap material. Some kind of coated wiring, almost like small fencing material. I'm interested in doing this since it would block the actual mesh screen so that if he does climb on it, he's climbing on that instead of the mesh. Does anyone know what this material is called? I want to make sure I get something that makes sense, and will last. I can obviously find something but I want to make sure it's not something that is gonna flake off and harm my chameleon or anything. Thank you!


**edit: I'm wondering if I could use something like this
https://www.amazon.com/Fencer-Wire-...ocphy=9003886&hvtargid=pla-967049269634&psc=1

Look at chicken wire fence on amazon. That may be a better option.

 

[Steve A]

Look at chicken wire fence on amazon. That may be a better option.

I thought I should stay away from that because it could cut their feet. But I'll look into it. What I remember seeing was something square in shape, about maybe 1/2" spaces, and the entire thing was coated in something (which should protect their feet). Thank you for the recommendation!

 

[Janet Jackson]

I thought I should stay away from that because it could cut their feet. But I'll look into it. What I remember seeing was something square in shape, about maybe 1/2" spaces, and the entire thing was coated in something (which should protect their feet). Thank you for the recommendation!

This is what i'm talking about. Its plastic coated- not the regular metal stuff: ​

MAPORCH Chicken Wire Fence Mesh

 

[MissSkittles]

This is what i'm talking about. Its plastic coated- not the regular metal stuff: ​

MAPORCH Chicken Wire Fence Mesh

Wow! That looks like gutter guard, but super wide. I’ll have to get some of that for my silkworms when I run out of gutter guard.

 

[Janet Jackson]

Wow! That looks like gutter guard, but super wide. I’ll have to get some of that for my silkworms when I run out of gutter guard.

you raise silkworms? awesome.
I use it in my enclosures because its safe for animals and its flexible so i can make different size and shape "plant pots" to hold hydroton( clay pebbles) and large mulch nuggets which keeps plants from getting waterlogged/root rot. and so animals don"t accidentally eat smaller soil/substrate stuffs.

 

[Steve A]

This is what i'm talking about. Its plastic coated- not the regular metal stuff: ​

MAPORCH Chicken Wire Fence Mesh

Oh wow! That stuff looks great! And it's cheap lol. Ty so much this is probably what I'm gonna get

 

[MissSkittles]

you raise silkworms? awesome.

More like I try…not 100% successful at times. Other times I am too successful and swimming in them.

 

[Steve A]

This is what i'm talking about. Its plastic coated- not the regular metal stuff: ​

MAPORCH Chicken Wire Fence Mesh

I shopped around a bit to find something either 4' or 2' just to make my time easier without having to cut much. And I found these, which are uvb treated! I'm gonna go with this

https://www.amazon.com/Tenax-2A0900...+wire+mesh+fence+48+inches,aps,80&sr=8-5&th=1