Enclosure Widths

[MosesMcgregor]

I'm very new here and was thinking of a DIY enclosure. From what I've seen most every enclosure I've come across is 2'x2' with varying heights... generally being 4' high.

Is there any reason most people stop at / choose 2'x2'? Why not a 2'x3' or larger?

I wasn't able to find any answers to this using search. I found it interesting there are so many nice automated & well thought out setups that leave buckets / humidifiers & equipment just sitting next to their enclosure. I was considering going wider with the enclosure to allow all equipment to be hidden below it in an integrated cabinet.

 

[KarmenCham]

the reason that they Go mostly for height rather than width is due to Chameleons being an Arboreal Species. They feel more comfortable at a higher place than they would on the ground, my new viv is 3 ft wide by 4 high purely so I have somehwhere to put a lay bin sorry if this seems garbled but been out drinking

 

[NHenn]

Not sure what type of cage you are thinking about making but I know with screen cages after you get to 24" wide they tend to get flimsy and/or rack very easily. That is why I never built any over 24" wide. If you add additional supports or cross members you could in theory go any width.

 

[jbrough42]

the 2'x2'x4' is so common becuase it meets the minimum recommendations without being a huge hassle for space. Beyond that size you either have to build it yourself or special order one. If you don't mind building it yourself by all means bigger is better I'm actually about to build one that is 3'x4'x6' if it goes as planned the step-by-step will be posted in the enclosure section in a couple of months Good luck with it!

 

[Olimpia]

If you have the space to go wide, by all means, go for it! Yes chameleons are arboreal and height matters but width is something they will happily utilize if given the chance. After all, chameleons like being up high so they like being able to escape their basking spot by moving over to one side, still up high, instead of having to move downwards. Given he space you'll notice that chameleons like to move side to side much more than they do up to down.

Whenever I build a custom cage I always go at least 3' wide, if not more around 5' wide. One custom cage was 6' tall x 5' wide x 3' deep, and the panther that lived in it loved it, he was way more active than in a 24" cage. And my Mellers' free-ranges are all wider than they are tall.

 

[Lathis]

I custom built a 2-ft deep by 3-ft wide by 6-ft tall enclosure for my Jax, and he still uses every bit of space. If you have the room, definitely go wider and taller than the standard 2x2x4. Your chameleon will love you for it.

Just remember to budget money for all the extra plants, branches, and vines you will need to fill that extra space!

 

[MosesMcgregor]

the reason that they Go mostly for height rather than width is due to Chameleons being an Arboreal Species. They feel more comfortable at a higher place than they would on the ground, my new viv is 3 ft wide by 4 high purely so I have somehwhere to put a lay bin sorry if this seems garbled but been out drinking

Got it! Yes, I'd still want to make it nice and tall but figure the little guys still like lateral movement too.

Not sure what type of cage you are thinking about making but I know with screen cages after you get to 24" wide they tend to get flimsy and/or rack very easily. That is why I never built any over 24" wide. If you add additional supports or cross members you could in theory go any width.

This is probably the biggest reason, I hadn't really thought of this.

I work in metal fabrications so I was considering a polished stainless or possibly a powder-coated steel frame.

the 2'x2'x4' is so common becuase it meets the minimum recommendations without being a huge hassle for space. Beyond that size you either have to build it yourself or special order one. If you don't mind building it yourself by all means bigger is better I'm actually about to build one that is 3'x4'x6' if it goes as planned the step-by-step will be posted in the enclosure section in a couple of months Good luck with it!

Please do!

As mentioned above I am thinking of doing a metal frame that attaches to a cabinet to house all the other equipment / drainage. I would really like to make my own version of the exo-terra using mostly glass.

This thread was useful and supports that style ( https://www.chameleonforums.com/everyone-who-knows-you-cant-keep-chams-glass-31937/ )

 

[jbrough42]

be careful using glass on your enclosure. there seems to be debate between different people on this forum regarding it but (I have no personal experience with glass enclosures) for chams, seeing their own reflection really stresses them out and can shorten their life expectancy, also you need to make sure that at least a couple of sides are some sort of mesh so that there is proper air flow in the enclosure.

 

[jbrough42]

Oh, I didn't notice that you linked the post about the glass enclosures, that was the one I was referring to, lol.

 

[MosesMcgregor]

I custom built a 2-ft deep by 3-ft wide by 6-ft tall enclosure for my Jax, and he still uses every bit of space. If you have the room, definitely go wider and taller than the standard 2x2x4. Your chameleon will love you for it.

Just remember to budget money for all the extra plants, branches, and vines you will need to fill that extra space!

Exactly!! The other big consideration would be UVB / Lighting & humidity which is why i'm thinking of keeping it around 3' to 3-1/2' wide at most. I would really like to be able to use a single exo terra sunray

Found your thread on this ( https://www.chameleonforums.com/thank-goodness-9-ft-ceilings-111618/ ) Very cool setup. Nice work.

 

[MosesMcgregor]

Oh, I didn't notice that you linked the post about the glass enclosures, that was the one I was referring to, lol.

Thank you and yes, i'm still learning and figured that would become the secondary topic of this thread. I'm trying to soak up as much info as possible before i jump into anything.

In my view I can see either setup working (mesh / glass with ventilation). I agree that the biggest concern (that I have seen anyway) is the reflection when using glass. The ventilation, if setup properly, should be a non issue with glass and the main benefit i see was greater humidity control and being able to better contain mess / moisture from surroundings (this will be going in the living room if i do it).