Do wooden sides make the chameleons feel safer?

[Brad Ramsey]

Brad, maybe you should lock up this thread like you do in other threads where you don't agree with the discussions going on?
[/IMG]

Wow.

I have no intention of locking the thread, I think the discussion is good.
If you would like I can point you toward some good published information on captive housing. Creating an environment where a chameleon feels secure and happy is not all about dimensions.

-Brad

 

[Brendanhg]

tanks

can someone send me some pictures of nicely set up aquariums for chameleons but not enclosures i do not like them
[email protected]

 

[summoner12]

Wow.

I have no intention of locking the thread, I think the discussion is good.
If you would like I can point you toward some good published information on captive housing. Creating an environment where a chameleon feels secure and happy is not all about dimensions.

-Brad

Post away, I am sure people will read it.

 

[Elizadolots]

I'm sure I'm not the great example and hopefully others will chime in...but I recently moved my Fischer's into an enclosure that is maybe an inch wider than he is long from nose to tip of tail...and he's doing better than he ever did before.

He's got more plants and more vines to climb and for the first time since I've had him, he just drinks off the plant leaves like it's a normal thing to do (I used to drip water into his mouth). I designed this enclosure based on what I saw him doing in the first enclosure and made lots of the things he seemed drawn too...like long hangy vines...he climbs up and down all the time.

Of course, Fischer's have really long tails, so that measurement is deceptive...But, for my chameleon, smaller has definitely been better.

 

[Brad Ramsey]

I'm sure I'm not the great example and hopefully others will chime in...but I recently moved my Fischer's into an enclosure that is maybe an inch wider than he is long from nose to tip of tail...and he's doing better than he ever did before.

He's got more plants and more vines to climb and for the first time since I've had him, he just drinks off the plant leaves like it's a normal thing to do (I used to drip water into his mouth). I designed this enclosure based on what I saw him doing in the first enclosure and made lots of the things he seemed drawn too...like long hangy vines...he climbs up and down all the time.

Of course, Fischer's have really long tails, so that measurement is deceptive...But, for my chameleon, smaller has definitely been better.

Good for you for observing your animal and really "tuning in" to what it needs.

-Brad

 

[Elizadolots]

Thank you..seeing him drink from the plant leaves was such a great feeling..and, of course, seeing that perfect poop has been a thrill...I used to approach the "poop viewing" with dread...

 

[morpheon]

Having small enclosures is getting more and more published by some authors, and even though i do not necessary agree with this principle, i have to admit that it is possible to maintain them in a good and healthy way, so i think it is viable.

However, i prefer the good old "bigger is better" expression. As i can see from my chameleon (a Furcifer Pardalis), he likes to wander for meters and meters everyday (or perhaps i should say feet here!), to the point that i even had to put some ropes on a wall to let him go explore wherever he wants to (along with close supervision of course!).

On a side note, one question that has been asked in this topic was particulary good: "how can you know that a smaller side is good for your chameleon?". These criterias are, in my opinion, the center of this discussion. It could be health, signs of stress, age, death causes, mood, or whatever... But any of those i have named couldn't justify a scientific and valid opinion, at least, as far as i know, because they can all be provoked for other reasons...

 

[summoner12]

It could be health, signs of stress, age, death causes, mood, or whatever... But any of those i have named couldn't justify a scientific and valid opinion, at least, as far as i know, because they can all be provoked for other reasons...

So in other words you can't really prove small is 'ok'...

I guess that also leaves, maybe big isn't 'ok' either... But if these animals lived in small bushes and didn't move from them, I would assume small is OK. But since panthers and veileds seem to move around large trees, the 'bigger is better' theory seems to make more sense.

 

[morpheon]

This is the kind of reflexion i am having too, but with significant bigger enclosures for Furcifer Pardalis than Chameleo Calyptratus...The Calyptratus being more territorial than Pardalis, i don't feel the need to build them equal enclosures.

 

[WelshOneEmma]

Ok, maybe this is a stupid comment, but surely you would have to assess the animal to determine the size of most suitable enclosure? My male veiled is in a standard size cage, and most days has a little wander round. Some days he even tries to come out. I am sure that he will be fine in this size cage for the rest of his life, but (when I get my ar*e in gear) I fully intend to give him something bigger as i know he likes to wander. If he didn't, I would probably leave it as is.

Not a great example, but I use the same with my cats. I have one who takes over the house and garden, because she likes to wander. Another sleeps in my room, and will occasionally go into others, but very rarely goes out side as she doesn't like to.

I personally think that every animal is different, and we need to assess them and their needs as such. Just another opinion!