Chameleon cage
- Thread starter Alextheskellyton
- Start date
Psychobunny
Avid Member
Why don't you just buy a Reptibreeze screen cage, they are cheap ?!
You can sometimes find used ones on eBay.
You can sometimes find used ones on eBay.
SaintJimmy
Avid Member
This cage looks like it was too much trouble for what it really is...
You can get a good cage for under 100 bucks and it'll last you forever... and it's a proper cage.
What you have currently is kind of an issue. I know on Reddit some people said it's kind of cool, inventive, etc, but I feel like an enclosure like this would not be proper for a chameleon.
If you're strapped for money, a chameleon really isn't a good pet to have.
A quick investment of 100 dollars or so gets you a nice cage that allows for what they need.
If the cage works for you, fine. But I see many issues with this.
Is there a front door? Would the chameleon be able to escape from the uneven gaps made by the tubs stacked upon each other?
To make the cage work, I'd make a screen door and a screen top, have the proper lights. If you can mist by hand that's fine but you need a place for the water to go.
Also even if you have fake moss, moss isn't a good thing to have either.
You can get a good cage for under 100 bucks and it'll last you forever... and it's a proper cage.
What you have currently is kind of an issue. I know on Reddit some people said it's kind of cool, inventive, etc, but I feel like an enclosure like this would not be proper for a chameleon.
If you're strapped for money, a chameleon really isn't a good pet to have.
A quick investment of 100 dollars or so gets you a nice cage that allows for what they need.
If the cage works for you, fine. But I see many issues with this.
Is there a front door? Would the chameleon be able to escape from the uneven gaps made by the tubs stacked upon each other?
To make the cage work, I'd make a screen door and a screen top, have the proper lights. If you can mist by hand that's fine but you need a place for the water to go.
Also even if you have fake moss, moss isn't a good thing to have either.
ridgebax1
Avid Member
I have to say that I do not think this enclosure will work for your chameleon. First you are going to have ventilation issues with three solid plastic walls like that. I do not see any drainage holes on the bottom. You do not need any substrate or a water dish. Chameleons do not recognize standing water as a means for hydration. They have to be misted frequently or have an automated system to provide water at the upper levels of their enclosure. Without proper drainage you run the risk of mold and bacteria overgrowth and put the chameleon at risk for respiratory infections. Another issue with this set up is going to be lighting. Chameleons need two types of lighting, UVB and a basking light. There is no safe way to provide that with your set up. You cannot hang the lights inside the cage nor can you put them on top of the plastic "roof", the basking light will most likely melt the plastic putting your chameleon at risk for burns. I do not know for sure if UVB light would penetrate through the plastic but I bet not. So your cham will be at risk for nutritional deficiencies from improper lighting. The cage you made looks like it was a lot of work but it is totally incorrect for a chameleon habitat. You really need to scrap it. If you are determined to make your own cage you can purchase screening, spline and the metal rails at either Home Depot or Lowes and I don't think it would be too difficult to screw them together with screws made for sheet metal. All in all I think it would be much easier to just buy a screen cage. In addition to ebay you can find them at Amazon.com or look through the classifieds here, cages are frequently available there. I took a second look at your picture and see you have a "hole" cut in the top but I still worry that the heat from the basking lamp will melt the plastic.
Carlton
Chameleon Enthusiast
What species of cham were you thinking to put in this? Its going to be small and rather confining for the larger arboreal panthers or veileds, partly because there isn't very much area to climb around to thermoregulate or hide. Depending on what the front of your cage is going to be (screen?) it may need more airflow. You can deal with that by creating some vent panels and screening them in. You need to provide a gradient of temps and humidity levels in the cage, and it can be harder to provide this in solid sided enclosures. As already mentioned, the top is going to cause issues with the lighting. I would replace the plastic on the top with a framed panel of wire mesh instead. Even if the plastic doesn't actually melt, it will overheat and could produce fumes that may hurt your cham.
The substrate and lack of drainage will be a mess.
