Enclosure idea for a baby chameleon

[Jonah S]

I have done a bit of reading on chameleon care and basic husbandry and I wanted to bounce this idea of some minds before I jumped on anything.

I will be getting a baby chameleon at some point and I have been looking at enclosures to figure out what the best solution is. The enclosure I plan on ending up with is 36 inches high and is 18 x 18. The chameleon will be too small for an enclosure that size so here was a possible solution I had.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Disney-Toy-Story-Square-Pop-Up-Hamper/12016401

Those are pretty standard hampers that can be found in a number of places. The fabric is mesh and from what I have read, the size seems about right for a baby chameleon. I would a good sized plant for the chameleon as well as branches to hang off of. I would put a screen lid on the top of it as well as the lamps I would need. Can anyone think of any reasons this is a bad idea? I am completely open to criticism of any sort.

 

[reptoman]

can you zip it up so it is completely escape proof? I have 6 baby panthers in a 30 qt tub and if they can reach anything hanging down, they will climb it.

 

[reptoman]

For the same amount or less you could buy a plastic tub, put some small branches with a small plant in it and you are set. Just make sure the baby cannot reach anything hanging down into the tub. Mine used the temp/humidity probe when I made the mistake if misjudging how far they could reach. I found 2 escapees on the dome light 2.5 feet above their enclosure. They had climbed the lamp cord once they reached the top rim of the tub.

 

[reptoman]

This is a picture of the baby bin I am using until they are big enough for a larger enclosure and one of the babies at 2 weeks. They are now about a month old and almost ready for an upgrade in housing. When you say baby chameleon, how old are you talking?

 

[Jonah S]

It doesn't zip but I was just going to get a screen (http://www.arcatapet.com/fullsize/7185.jpg) and rest it on top so it would seal it. I could get a plastic tub and put some holes in it instead of using a hamper. My reason for not getting a bonefied enclosure is because I know it will outgrow it when I blink twice so I figured if I can get by with something that works than thats what I would do.

 

[Jonah S]

I believe it is about 3-5 weeks old. Six absolute max

 

[reptoman]

Yeah, for that young I would just go with the 4 -5$ tub from walmart. If you have a hot glue gun, its real simple to cut the majority of the top away with a razor knife and stick in some screen. The tub is nice for keeping the area around where you keep your baby dry and also holds in moisture pretty well. I have been misting with a regualar squirt bottle 3 - 4 times daily. I am using plastic plants because they are much easier to rinse off but then agian, I have 6 eating/pooping machines and they make a lot of poop! I have to clean out the tub every couple of days but it takes only about 10 minutes. Rinse and wipe and put them back in to make more of a mess.
What species are you getting if I may ask? And be careful of what you are getting at that age. It is difficult at best to sex a 3 or 4 week old cham. Mine are over 4 and I cannot yet tell the boys from the girls although I have my suspicions. Also, getting a baby that young is pretty risky. They are not really stable until around 2.5 to 3 months which is the recommended age for selling on here. I don't know your level of experience so dont want to offend. Just making sure you dont have to go through a terrible experience of having one that little go down hill. Good luck and don't hesitate to ask for help. I have been dealing with babies the last month and my routine although fairly new to me has been working great thanks to the help of others on here.

 

[Jonah S]

Thanks for the advice. I am pretty new to reptiles so I appreciate all the help I can get. I'll probably end up getting a tub until it grows a bit for the cage, I think I will get some real plants though so the little guy can be more close to home.

**I am going to get a veiled**

 

[sandrachameleon]

The enclosure I plan on ending up with is 36 inches high and is 18 x 18.

When you say end up with, do you mean as the adult cage? that's kinda small for an adult veiled or panther.

For a baby of less than 2 months, consider just using an aquarium with screen top. Or an exoterra terrarium with the glass doors with vent and screen top - i like the ones that are 12"wide 12"deep and 18" high for babies. At 3/4 months you can probably move it into the "larger" cage.

 

[Jonah S]

When you say end up with, do you mean as the adult cage? that's kinda small for an adult veiled or panther.

I figured that would be the cage for the majority of the veiled's lifetime. I had talked to a few different people about that size and they said that should be plenty fine. Again though, I am pretty new to chameleons so I'm mold-able.

 

[ladysilkworm]

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...:en-us:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7SKPB_en&tbs=isch:1


I have this, can you see the link??

I am trading some silks with someone who breeds chams... she is not on this forum though.. would this work? I am so new to this but seeing your chameleons, they are so gorgeous! She is giving me a baby and I will be feeding her home raised silks.. but is this housing good enough?? How long can I keep it there before it outgrows? Also, I have two kids in diapers.. and I can hang this housing up high, do chams like it being high? I would imagine so.. I would lvoe to be able to handle a cham and go out in public.. I've raised many exotics but never had a reptile!

 

[ladysilkworm]

I have done a bit of reading on chameleon care and basic husbandry and I wanted to bounce this idea of some minds before I jumped on anything.

I will be getting a baby chameleon at some point and I have been looking at enclosures to figure out what the best solution is. The enclosure I plan on ending up with is 36 inches high and is 18 x 18. The chameleon will be too small for an enclosure that size so here was a possible solution I had.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Disney-Toy-Story-Square-Pop-Up-Hamper/12016401

Those are pretty standard hampers that can be found in a number of places. The fabric is mesh and from what I have read, the size seems about right for a baby chameleon. I would a good sized plant for the chameleon as well as branches to hang off of. I would put a screen lid on the top of it as well as the lamps I would need. Can anyone think of any reasons this is a bad idea? I am completely open to criticism of any sort.

I got this at Toys R us last week!
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...:en-us:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7SKPB_en&tbs=isch:1

clearance sale only $9.99.. I sent in the coupons for the butterflies but not sure if I will be getting the butterflies cuz this prod is not sold anymore..

anyway, would this work better? My kid carries it around with nothing in it.. it is so cute just by itself.. better than the hamper!

 

[Monkeykungphu]

I would lvoe to be able to handle a cham and go out in public.. I've raised many exotics but never had a reptile!

I have yet to get a chameleon as well. I've been reading for a little while now trying to learn as much as I can about them before I get one. One big thing that I've learned is chameleons are more of a look, don't touch reptile. The majority of chams don't like being handled very much. Some are really shy, some are very mean. I hear every now & then you can find some that are sweet. It's also a little more complex to properly take care of a chameleon than other reptiles.

I've got a bearded dragon now & he doesn't mind being held at all. Maybe a beardie may be more your kind of lizard if you're looking for a reptile that you can handle a lot & bring with you to places. Almost all of them are calm, gentle & hardy lizards. They make great pets too. Although you couldn't keep it in the butterfly box!

 

[ladysilkworm]

I've got a bearded dragon now & he doesn't mind being held at all. Maybe a beardie may be more your kind of lizard if you're looking for a reptile that you can handle a lot & bring with you to places. Almost all of them are calm, gentle & hardy lizards. They make great pets too. Although you couldn't keep it in the butterfly box!

sorry, I am sold on the chameleon... My kid is 3, I think he would find the cham pretty dazzling! Just hope the 1 yo doesn't kill it.

 

[Monkeykungphu]

Just hope the 1 yo doesn't kill it.

You & me both.

 

[Warrix642]

Chameleons really can not be handled for fun. I hope you dont plant on letting kids play with it. I would not use a mesh-fabric like the pics you posted. You can buy a screen cage fairly cheap.

Dustin

 

[CleaTheChameleon]

Chameleons really can not be handled for fun. I hope you dont plant on letting kids play with it. I would not use a mesh-fabric like the pics you posted. You can buy a screen cage fairly cheap.

Dustin

Hey Dustin i will use something familiar and Bocajan use the same thing as i will and they work great for hatchlings. Sorry if i misunderstood but they work great to just not that toy story one to be honest