Chameleon Tree

[Gewehr]

Hi, I'm Nathan. Now that thats over, let's get to the point: I was looking at some old Reptile magazines I had, and I saw this Chameleon cage that some company (maybe ZooMed?) was selling. It was the tree and nothing else. If I remember correctly, it had a water dish, etc. built into it, so all the things that most reptiles need. At the time, I wasn't interested in getting a Chameleon, so I basically thought it would be pretty cool to have a Chameleon in a tree, but didn't pay it much mind beyond that. Well now, when Chameleons have finally grown on me, I can't find any reference to those tree habitats anywhere. So if someone could show me where to get one, and/or tell me the pros and cons of that kind of habitat, it would be much appreciated. Thanks,

Nathan
Appetite for Destruction... and Steak.

 

[AJA]

Welcome Nathan,

Most people don't get a specific "chameleon" tree but there are plenty of good plants you can get at the Home Depot / Lowes that will work. I have a pair of scheffla 'trees' that my chameleon loves and gets grumpy if I try to take her out. Other people use a ficus tree. Other people build a jungle gym type apparatus for their chameleon, using various sticks, tree vines and tomato vine wire.

Marketing is a wondrous thing. They try to sell you things you don't need to neccisarily buy from them.

There is a SEARCH mode on the forum that can help you and under RESOURCES I believe this is a list of safe plants, if not there, use the SEARCH mode for "safe plants"

 

[Gewehr]

So I don't necessarily need a cage around the plant? If that's the case, then I'll be doing my happy dance for the neft half hour.

 

[AJA]

Well, that is a different story. You said "tree' so I thought you were asking about free ranging your cham. So basically, yes, the same plants I mentioned can be used in your cage and they come in a smaller version.

IF you go under GENERAL PHOTOGRAPHY you will see what different people use for their animals in the photos posted there. Pothos is another one.

There are some people who don't cage their chameleon at all. They have a room or closet set up for their chameleon (usually a Meller's) to roam about. They also have taken meticulas care in making sure the chameleon doesn't get itslef into trouble with wall sockets, hanging lights (to prevent burns) or have hungry quadripeds hanging around.

You want to make sure your chameleon can hide itself and get away from you for some down time. so make sure there is lots of foilage to do this. Don't take it personally, but chameleons on the norm don't like to hang out with their owners.

 

[pssh]

No you dont need a cage, but you do need to take set everything up just right includint the lights and feeding tub. Look up free range in the search. I may report back with a few threads later so check back on this post.

 

[Gewehr]

Yeah I'm very used to my animals trying to avoid me. I've been in tarantulas for 6 years, and am now at 17 of them. I once had a 10" Goliath Birdeater escape on me, and I found it when it struck at and missed my foot when I stepped next to my bed. So a Chameleon really needs to have a chip on its shoulder to bother me.

 

[DJ Richey Rich]

I got a ? about free ranging if u have a tree on each side of a room will one chameleon bother another one on oposit side of room?

 

[Lizardlover]

Please make your own thread next time, chameleons have telescopic vision and yes they will certainly be stressed by seeing each other and will bother each other.

 

[tkilgour]

lol, your Theraphosa blondi escaped, I'd hate to have that happen to one of my T's. I am like you, I started with a single T and now I have a huge collection of all kinds of species. Any way, research "free ranging" if you don't like using an enclosure. A chameleon doesn't have fangs or venom and their bite isn't even comparable to a T. It doesn't even hurt and none of mine bite any way. Good luck and try not to lose anymore T's.