Free range question

[Thompson]

Recently I've seen threads of people free ranging their chameleons. I was thinking about free ranging one of my chameleons when they get older but I'm also wondering if they could be free ranged at 4 months old? Also what type of chameleons are ok to free range, I was thinking about free ranging my veiled. Any ideas on how I should go about putting a uvb bulb and heat lamp in the free range? I was thinking about getting some long pipe from home depot and nailing it to the sides of the walls to act like vines, and adding some large ficus and shefflera plants. One more thing, what could I do to prevent water building up on the walls when I go mist around the free range?

Here is where I was thinking about putting the free range. It is about 2-3 feet off the ground, and goes inward about 4 feet deep. Could the chameleon escape from there? If so what could I do to prevent him from escaping?

sorry if the pics are bad, I couldn't get a full pic of it. Thanks in advance!

also, I've used the search function quite a bit researching free range but couldn't really find all my answers.

 

[withlime]

I use shower curtains to protect my walls and make the water go where I want. There are various other methods but this has been the easiest and cheapest for me.

 

[Thompson]

I use shower curtains to protect my walls and make the water go where I want. There are various other methods but this has been the easiest and cheapest for me.

sounds good! Thanks I will use this method when setting it up

 

[Carlton]

I'm also wondering if they could be free ranged at 4 months old?
Also what type of chameleons are ok to free range,
Any ideas on how I should go about putting a uvb bulb and heat lamp in the free range? I was thinking about getting some long pipe from home depot and nailing it to the sides of the walls to act like vines, One more thing, what could I do to prevent water building up on the walls when I go mist around the free range?

Could the chameleon escape from there? If so what could I do to prevent him from escaping?

Larger chams are easier to keep track of and less likely to get stuck behind or underneath something and be hurt. Babies are more sensitive to temps and humidity and finding food. They also may be intimidated by a large open space in full view and spend most of their time hiding in one secure area.

I don't know if there is a straight answer to "which chams are OK to free-range?" It will depend more on your particular house setup and overall activity, other pets or hazards, kids, access to dangers. Shyer more nervous species (such as fischeri or verrucosus) might hide all the time, and species that need more specific temp or humidity regimes (such as quadricornis, deremensis) would be a little harder to design a space for.

Hang the lights from the top of your space or from the room ceiling. Use fixtures that you can angle to aim the light where you want it.

I don't think I get the pvc pipe idea. Why not just use well scrubbed natural barked branches from a backyard tree? Or, some of the Biovine products offered from some herp supplies? Put one or two nice bushy potted trees or shrubs in your alcove (you'll need good light for them as well) and connect them with branches?

Keep water spray off the walls by either covering them with plastic sheeting or applying a good waterproof paint.

If you provide what the cham will want in the space it should spend most of its time there. Most chams will roam initially until they get comfortable in a new place. Some chams roam more than others as they are individuals. Chams are attracted to light, warmth, cover, water, and food. If the cham can see a bright window across the room more than likely it will keep trying to get there.

 

[Thompson]

Thanks Carlton. I guess I will hold off on the free range since he is too small. I also will have to rethink where to put it since it is directly across from a large window. And I got the pvc vine idea from summoner's free range pics.

 

[jannb]

I free range both of my veileds and have trees in front of just about every window in my house. They love to look outside.