Chameleon Treehouse?

[CNorton]

Has anyone ever built an enclosure up in a tree that uses the tree's branches and shade while keeping the chameleon from escaping? I'm not talking about just putting an enclosure up in a tree. I'm talking about actually enclosing part of the tree or making an inescapable setup in a tree...?

The setup would be difficult to build and possibly not worth the effort unless the area of the tree can provide temp gradients and varying light exposure. Let's hear your thoughts and experiences!

 

[Olimpia]

The idea is lovely, it sounds like it would be awesome. But you're right that it would be difficult to achieve.

 

[Texas Panther Man]

It would be much easier to just build the enclosure around the tree. Of course the tree in question would have to be less than say 10ft or so. To make it an economical and easy build.

 

[Todnedo]

I tried the tree house enclosure and the chams tried to climb higher in the tree, spending the day climbing upside down on the cage top.

 

[CNorton]

Interesting, I wonder if placing branches in the ceiling of the cage changes things. Also, I wonder if you have a setup where the enclosure can encompass both the very top of the tree and 3-4 feet below that in dark shade. This would require tons of setup time and a serious negative aesthetic to your yard...but if you have a large enough tree, it might blend in better.

I'm thinking the nylon Reptarium-type design. Something with a nylon mesh that can be re-stitched after various branches are woven in and out of the enclosure. Am I making any sense?

 

[Manik6]

Wow just thinking of that idea exhausts me.

 

[KingJulien]

Sounds like a lot of trouble to me. Openings for branches in a nylon cage would just lead to trouble. Imagine a strong gust of wind hitting it, moving all the branches around in different directions, the branches pulling the nyon apart and your chameleon getting out into the yard without you knowing.

I'm a worst-case-scenario kind of person, I know.

Why not just do the simple thing, and hang one of those cheapie little cages from a branch, or make something bigger but similar? Maybe make an enclosure all the way around a very small tree.

 

[CNorton]

The "simple thing" would not work with any of the larger species such as melleri, parsonii, matschiei, verrucosus, oustaleti...

I'm speaking about a pvc framed enclosure that is wrapped in a nylon mesh. I don't believe wind would be a big factor if the cage was carefully secured in the tree (zip ties, gardening wire, bungees, etc.) Your concerns are valid though. This is just something that I'll have to try myself to see how it works out.

 

[Todnedo]

I have used aluminum flashing to encircle a tree making a barrier 18 inches tall so the cham could not climb over

 

[tkilgour]

I have a tree that is only about 7.5 feet tall. I put golf ball barrier netting ( it is used to protect houses from golf balls) all around the trees canopy and tied it under the canopy onto the trunk. Wind doesn't blow it off, and the chameleon can't escape. It worked and the chameleon used the entire canopy. I didnt have to worry about the cham escaping or going to far up because the tree isnt very large yet. It was pretty neat, but I dont use it much because I am paranoid.

 

[laurie]

Chad I think that is one of the most creative ideas I have heard. Forget the negatives and work with what you have, your chameleons will love it. I for one would love to see what you cone up with. My money is on you to be able to accomplish it.

 

[SSimsswiSS]

Why not just build a circular wall around the diameter of the tree? Say 3 to 4 feet tall. I'll heard of mud walls / this method being used at farmed sites. I think you would really only have to worry about birds of prey, during the day.

 

[CNorton]

Why not just build a circular wall around the diameter of the tree? Say 3 to 4 feet tall. I'll heard of mud walls / this method being used at farmed sites. I think you would really only have to worry about birds of prey, during the day.

Yeah, I saw that idea from some material I read on the MBT Farm in Tanzania. I'm just super weary of leaving a cham open to predators when I'm not around. That's why I've been researching/brainstorming enclosure ideas that provide protection as well as prevention of escapees.



Thanks for the encouraging words Laurie! Oh and your idea with the golf net is pretty bitchin' tkilgour!

 

[VeiledOwner87]

this would honestly be a PIA, but.. good idea heres my theology of this project lol. CNorton, you have just proved that we spoil our chameleons with this post

 

[chachilla]

Just an idea. How about like the golf netting idea, but instead you use bird barricade netting. You cover the whole tree with it and i'm thinking to get the netting off the tree so it is not resting on it completely you could raise it off with long wooden dowels or sticks some how. OR Build a pvc/wooden box frame that is big enough for a small tree then cover the frame with netting...( I googled "tree with netting around it" and saw some ideas in the image section.)

 

[VeiledOwner87]

how about finding a used inexpensive patio canopy/enclosure and just net it?

 

[Kent67]

I have an article from The Vivarium magazine back in the early 90's where the author just draped netting over the tops of large trees and created a teepee-like shape with the netting to the ground, where it was secured. The trees all had feeding stations that the chameleons soon came to recognize. If I remember correctly, he just hand-watered all the trees several times a day and kept a dozen or so different species outside long-term this way.

 

[Kent67]

Oops, I just pulled the article and apparently my memory failed me a bit, although the article is 19 years old so perhaps a little slack? He used poles set into concrete around the perimeter of the trees for a frame over which the netting was secured.