A begginer with some questions

[TempestOnawa]

So I got my first chameleon a few weeks ago, and its going quite well. But i still have a few questions about feeders and enclosures, because despite my best efforts I know he's not as happy as he could be.

So, first of all, i keep reading that I shouldn't feed him anything bigger than the space between his eyes, but does that apply to length or width? can I feed a 4 month old chameleon full superworms/kingworms or should i be using something smaller? I feed him small silk worms and mealworms right now because the places that sell feeders are strangely low on everything at the moment, but if someone had suggestions as to some other insects i can order (preferably not crickets, my roommates cant stand them) that would widen my lil chams feeding options, that'd be great.

My other question is just how big can i make his terrarium when he's older? I've started sketching out ideas and basically what i want to know is there a danger with making the terrarium too big? because I want him to feel free and happy. I was thinking a 4ft tall 3ft long and 2ft deep terrarium and maybe a free range that i can close off when i need to.
AND what kind of mesh have you guys found works best?

And lastly, the temperature - should i buy another thermometer to measure the lower area vs the basking area in his terrarium? And is a 40watt basking bulb good for him? i had a 100w but it was just WAY too hot and i had to buy a new one. unfortunately where i live there aren't many chameleon owners or experts i can talk to about this kind of stuff.

I just want to say that, although i will do EVERYTHING i can to keep this guy healthy and happy, I can't quite make my roommates get over their squeamishness of bugs right away - and even I hate when things jump out at me - so any suggestions to make this easier on them and me would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[SaintJimmy]

WORMS - the worm must be no longer than the head of your baby chameleon.

As for other bugs, the "eyes width" rule applies.

You can feed them zophobas beetles, zophobas larvae, horn worms, silk worms, pheonix worms, meal worms, katydids, grasshoppers, mantids, isopods (rolly pollys), crickets, dubia roaches (they look like big rolly pollys).

Cage MINIMUM for adults is 2 feet deep, 2 feet wide, and 4 feet tall. Yours would make any chameleon happy! Free ranging is great, too.

Coated screen or coated chicken wire tends to work best, so the adult's feet and toes are not harmed.

just search custom chameleon cages

 

[TempestOnawa]

WORMS - the worm must be no longer than the head of your baby chameleon.

As for other bugs, the "eyes width" rule applies.

You can feed them zophobas beetles, zophobas larvae, horn worms, silk worms, pheonix worms, meal worms, katydids, grasshoppers, mantids, isopods (rolly pollys), crickets, dubia roaches (they look like big rolly pollys).

Cage MINIMUM for adults is 2 feet deep, 2 feet wide, and 4 feet tall. Yours would make any chameleon happy! Free ranging is great, too.

Coated screen or coated chicken wire tends to work best, so the adult's feet and toes are not harmed.

just search custom chameleon cages

Thank you so much! this really helps