With that logic we'd also have 15+ high cages because they wouldn't be a few feet off the ground from the substrate either. Also, the scaling down of the water feature(like it would be for us) would be equivalent to a larger one a little further away in the wild. I'd assume the humidity and maybe slight breeze is what they like from a stream, I don't know though. It's not necessary, but it's not wrong either if you do it in the way I described, which to my knowledge, no one has. A small stream a foot away from your chams perch hypothetically would be similar to a large stream 10 feet from their perch in the wild. And lastly, I talked to craig who has been there a few times and I THINK he mentioned that where he's found them in the wild was around streams. And that also their habitats tend to be pretty hot and humid during the summer. Don't quote me on that, I'd want to ask him again just to be sure.
Well ya near streams is what Madcham said too. However I think how close to the stream is the real question.
If the chams wanted to be feet away from the water, in riparian zones they would, they dont according to madcham, and putting it in the cage creates a riparian zone so not really the same thing.
As to the 15ft cages. I wouldn't be against that one bit for species that would appreciate it.
I have seen images of Mellers up high like that. I am not sure about parsonii parsonii. cristifers from all accounts I have seen, are found head height, or a tad more.
I have seen panthers high up in florida, but the Malagasy footage has them always at head height as well.
Carpets and Minors, are found below 5 ft usually in shrubs, more so than trees.
So all species I keep or intend to keep, are not really found at 15ft, so for me a 6ft cage top would be fine. Thats not to say they don't or can't go higher. Just that from what I have seen those species don't much.
For people that do keep 15ft high most times species thats not very practical.
At the end of the day, I don't think the waterfall serves purpose, does add danger, isn't very natural to be that close.
Waterfalls are cool, I agree to that. We like waterfalls, so setup a large cage between the chams cage. With a large waterfall, and fill it with frogs that do live in that riparian zone.
The rivers that parsons are near will be littered with Reed Frogs. So wanting a waterfall justify making a huge reed frog viv next to the parsons viv lol.
If there is only 1 piece of screen separating the 2. The chameleon will get all the hunidity and cool breeze from the waterfall, without being able to interact with the water. The frogs will be another cool pet, and will utilize the water.
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