ellenngracee
New Member
I have seen people say you need a minimum of 2 ft high and others saying 2x2x4 ft is ideal. But is 2x2x4 really necessary. I'd like to see some opinions. Thanks.
Do adult veileds really need 4ft cage?
- Thread starter ellenngracee
- Start date
fluxlizard
Avid Member
No technically they do not. I started breeding them 20 years ago in 29 gallon aquarium tanks. They were very healthy and appeared content and had beautiful coloration.
BUT- today I prefer 175 gallon reptariums (29x29x48"high).
There are a couple of things to consider-
From the lizard's standpoint there is the quality of life. A larger environment allows for more room, a more simulating environment and arguably a higher quality of life.
From the owner's standpoint, a larger enclosure provides more room for an interesting setup in which to enjoy the lizard. I can be more creative with plants and lighting in the 175 gallon reptariums than I could in the 29 gallon aquariums. And it is a lot more interesting to watch a lizard that can stretch out and actually walk someplace. Really, even a 2' wide enclosure does not allow an adult male veiled a lot of room to do that.
As far as height itself goes- The idea is that a cage taller rather than longer is appropriate for an arboreal species. In a smaller enclosure like most of us are probably using (say 2x2x3 or even 4' high), my feeling is that height is not as important as height of the enclosure off the ground. A veiled is more likely to be comfortable in a 2' high cage located on a shelf 6' off the ground than in a 4' high cage placed on the ground.
Also worth consideration is your strategy for providing a temperature gradient. In tall cages this is provided by distance from top to bottom. A shallow enclosure would need this provided more from side to side.
Seems to me on the one hand you are asking for opinions, but on the other you are looking for a defining answer. My opinion is that it is more a matter of the former rather than a rule written in stone- but it should be balanced by your own opinion about quality of life of your animal...
BUT- today I prefer 175 gallon reptariums (29x29x48"high).
There are a couple of things to consider-
From the lizard's standpoint there is the quality of life. A larger environment allows for more room, a more simulating environment and arguably a higher quality of life.
From the owner's standpoint, a larger enclosure provides more room for an interesting setup in which to enjoy the lizard. I can be more creative with plants and lighting in the 175 gallon reptariums than I could in the 29 gallon aquariums. And it is a lot more interesting to watch a lizard that can stretch out and actually walk someplace. Really, even a 2' wide enclosure does not allow an adult male veiled a lot of room to do that.
As far as height itself goes- The idea is that a cage taller rather than longer is appropriate for an arboreal species. In a smaller enclosure like most of us are probably using (say 2x2x3 or even 4' high), my feeling is that height is not as important as height of the enclosure off the ground. A veiled is more likely to be comfortable in a 2' high cage located on a shelf 6' off the ground than in a 4' high cage placed on the ground.
Also worth consideration is your strategy for providing a temperature gradient. In tall cages this is provided by distance from top to bottom. A shallow enclosure would need this provided more from side to side.
Seems to me on the one hand you are asking for opinions, but on the other you are looking for a defining answer. My opinion is that it is more a matter of the former rather than a rule written in stone- but it should be balanced by your own opinion about quality of life of your animal...
sandrachameleon
Chameleon Enthusiast
Yes. If you care about the animal, provide it with space. 2x2x4 is minimum for a panther or veiled (either sex - my female panthers are just as active as my males, making full use of the space provided). larger IS better in this
D
DavidBuchan
Guest
The more space the better of course, I think more available roaming space makes them happier and less territorial/ aggressive. My female doesn't use all her space, but I'm sure she's happier knowing its her area.
For a big adult male Veiled that is a minimum size for keeping them really comfortable I think, but I think you can get away with a bit smaller for a female.
For a big adult male Veiled that is a minimum size for keeping them really comfortable I think, but I think you can get away with a bit smaller for a female.
jannb
Chameleon Enthusiast
The bigger the better but no smaller than 4 foot high. Personally I could never cage one of these animals that are meant to roam free in trees. The least you can do for them it to keep them in a very large area. I free range all my animals like this. https://www.chameleonforums.com/some-free-ranges-66598/
BocaJan
New Member
I keep all mine in the 24x24x36 cages but up off the ground 4 1/2 ft. The females are all facing windows and spend most of the day looking out the windows basking under their uvb and basking bulbs. The males have the same set up's (I have lots of sliders in my house) but they spend a lot of time outside. I also have fake trees in the house and the 3 males have spots in the house where they free range so they don't spend a lot of time in their cages. I make sure they get plenty of UVB time either outside or in their cage, but they do like to spend evenings and sleeping times outside of their cages.
