Free range with boundary

[followmehaha]

I have been thinking about setting up a free range for my chameleons. But I really don't want them to run all over my room. I am thinking about building something like dog(baby) fence using PVC boards surrounding the free range area. I think PVC boards should be smooth enough for chameleons not to crawl on so that they won't climb over and escape. I'm not sure if it will work or if I underestimated chameleon's ability to climb.

Any suggestions?

 

[Solid Snake]

My suggestion is to plan for escape as much as possible.
They can sit and behave themselves for forever, then spontaneously decide that getting to the other side of the room is a life or death matter, and do their worst.

I believe Olimpia has used "fences" for FR with success.
At least I have heard her describe what I believe you are describing.
I keep mine in a closed, isolated room.

 

[d3s5]

My suggestion is to plan for escape as much as possible.
They can sit and behave themselves for forever, then spontaneously decide that getting to the other side of the room is a life or death matter, and do their worst.

.

Ah, yes. I FR my cham and he was pretty great for 6 months. Then he busted out or over his "fence." I still don't know how he did it. Every time I would be there to watch him, he pretended he couldn't get by it. But he HAD to roam around the ENTIRE house for 3 days straight. He even climbed up me once to get onto the kitchen counter.

Then it was back to his FR and being good. Go figure!

 

[EvilLost]

I believe a key component of a good free-range is providing IDEAL conditions. If the "best" place to be is the free-range, they will want to be there and this will naturally minimize wandering to some extent.


As Snake said, plan for, and expect, escapes. However, in theory, it is viable to build a setup using any flat, smooth surface (pvc, plexi, etc)