Baby Veiled: Small Glass Exo-Terra or Large Screen?

alfred · Jan 4, 2013

Hi, everyone,

I just got my new baby veiled (~2 month old male) from FLChams today and he's in great shape, already eating and everything! I do have a question, though.

I have the 12x12x18 glass Exo-Terra cage that I used to house my first chameleon, Alfred, before he was big enough for a bigger cage. Right now I have the baby in Alfred's newly-sanitized big Reptarium screen cage (18x18x36).

Which one should I use for the baby? He seems to be handling the big size okay for now. He's able to move on the branches, etc. But will he be able to find his food? I know he's going to need about 20 crickets a day, so if I dump them in, do you think he will be able to find them?

Thanks in advance!

CLP · Jan 4, 2013

I would be a bit concerned about the cage size and his ability to find his food. Will he cup feed? If he will, then you can ensure he's getting what he needs. Otherwise, I think the size is fine.

DavidBuchan · Jan 4, 2013

Personally I would use the smaller one at first, just to make sure he gets the insects quickly enough that they still have powder on them. Either should work though, especially if he will cup feed. Here is a great basic caresheet I recommend to everyone with Veileds - https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/chameleonsinmyhouse/395-veiled-chameleon-care-sheet.html

Olimpia · Jan 4, 2013

That size should not be a problem, in my opinion. Baby chameleons tend to be all over the place all day long anyway so he will probably be able to find his food just fine. You can always put some of his feeders in a cup so you know that he is eating at least X of them and then release the others. But I never cup fed crickets to any of my baby chameleons and they have never had problems catching enough food. Remember that they somehow manage to find enough to eat and survive in the great outdoors!