Hello!/Am I ready?

[Jupiter]

Hi everyone! Let me just start by thanking you all right off the bat, I’ve been lurking here for a while and I have learned so much! I’ve been getting my setup together for a while now and now that (I think) I have everything and a deposit on a little guy from one of our sponsors, I figured it was time to come out of the shadows and introduce myself, and run my setup by you experienced folks. Here’s what I got.

4'x2'x2' screen cage containing

Pothos
Schefflera
Dracenia
Parlor Palm
Lucky Bamboo
Phalaenopsis Orchid

All of which have been repotted in chemical free topsoil and have stones covering the dirt. I haven’t had a chance to really spray the leaves down yet but I’m going to. I’m going to set up a little free-range area next to the cage, so far for that I have

Phalaenopsis Orchid
Cymbidium Orchid
And what I’m pretty sure (but not positive) is a Chocolate Echeveria

I was also thinking of hanging a big Fuchsia or something from the ceiling so he can look out the window.

As far as equipment goes I’ve got a

ExoTerra Digital Thermometer
ExoTerra Digital Thermometer/Hygrometer
Zilla 18” Slimline fixture with a 25 T8 fluorescent blub
Dome lamp with GE 60 watt plant light. I haven’t installed the thermometers yet but it definitely feels like it should be in the right neighborhood and the fixture has a rheostat so I should be able to tinker it into place.
Mistking misting system

For nutrition I have

Zoo Med Reptivite with D3
Zoo Med ReptiCalcium without D3

I was thinking of starting him off with phoenix worms, since from what I understand they’re super nutritious and don’t need gutloading. I’m going to see what the breeder has been feeding him.

I’m feeling pretty confident; my research showed all those plants to be safe and I think once I get the mister and probes installed I should be pretty much good to go. Are there any devastating mistakes or omissions my soft newbie eyes aren’t seeing? My main concern is that as you can see from the pictures, my Boa, Otis, lives pretty close by. Otis is at floor height and the bottom of the chameleon enclosure is higher then the top of his tank, but do you think this will bother the cham?

Thanks again for providing such a welcoming place of knowledge and support!

-Jupiter

 

[Ulrich]

Very nice colors for the start and welcome to the forum. Maybe more climbing opportunities in form of natural or artificial vines. And a sturdy basking spot. From my experience the more vines in the cage the less likely they climb the mesh (and might damage a claw).

How do you handle drainage?

 

[audiorazor]

That would be my suggestion as well. More vines or climbing spots around the cage.

 

[clarkrw3]

Looking really nice. Like others have said vines and horizontal perchs are really important. One 6" under the basking light and others at varying levels. They will spend most of their time on these horizontal branches. I typically use bamboo for these that I cut to length and fasten with thumb tacs through the screen cage and into the bamboo. I have found these in 6' lengthens in the garden center at Lowe's

Think perchs and highways from perch to perch.

 

[carol5208]

your plants are pretty but not very supportive as the other have stated. The only one I see would be functional is the sheffelera and that is so far down on the bottom. Also your rocks covering your soil are too small really. I would get the large river rocks from home depot. Your cham could injest one of those accidentally or intentionally. And also I am not so sure if that big snake will not be a problem as I am sure a chameleon would consider that a predator. I would cover up the one side of the snake cage.

 

[Jupiter]

Thanks for the advise guys, I'm definitely going to go out and get some vines/bamboo. How do you affix the vines to the side of the enclosure? I was thinking of loosely sewing them on? How much do full grown chams weigh anyway? I don't see it being much if thumbtacks can hold them. As far as drainage goes, I live in a pretty dry area, do you think I could get away with putting sponges on the bottom and changing them regularly or will I have to do the whole elevated cage thing?

Carol, are you sure those rocks are too small? I was looking for the more skipping stone looking ones but couldn't find any. Here's a reference pic, I kind of have a hard time imagining a cham eating one of these, especially a baby, but then again I have no idea what I'm talking about and you do, so If you really think they are too small I'll change em.

I can't really cover up Otis's tank. Boas aren't exactly active so I think I'll see how the cham takes it, and if seems like a problem I'll probably put up a curtain or something.

How about everything else? Are my equipment and supplements in order? Thanks again for all your help!

 

[Solid Snake]

Yes, more sticks.

You can get them from outside, fresh off a smooth barked sapless healthy tree is best.
Bamboo can be hard for them to grip, especially if its wet, and they can fall from it.


No sponges, you need drainage to where the water can flow completely out, and the cage can dry. You dont want any stagnant water.

Some of those rocks are/will be ingestable yes.

The Tool poster is fine.

Snakes and birds are chameleons main enemies, so the chameleon may not like being able to see Otis. He will definitely notice Otis. He may not care though.
I would advise moving/blocking Otis.

 

[carol5208]

maybe not right now on the rocks but your chameleon will grow very quickly and could easily swallow one down the road. Veild chameleons can swallow birds and pinky mice with no problem when they are adults. You just don't want an accident to happen. They do look larger in the last pic you provided. I have seen people use pea pebbles and that is just a disaster waiting to happen.

 

[Jupiter]

Yes, more sticks.

You can get them from outside, fresh off a smooth barked sapless healthy tree is best.
Bamboo can be hard for them to grip, especially if its wet, and they can fall from it.

Thanks for the tip on the bamboo, I'll be sure to avoid it. I'm not sure if I can find any suitable sticks like that around here and I'm kind of weary about putting things from the outside world in there with him. I think I'll stick with vines and see if that doesn't cut it.

No sponges, you need drainage to where the water can flow completely out, and the cage can dry. You dont want any stagnant water.

Yeah, the more I thought about it the more I realized that was stupid. That seems like an invitation for bacteria and I would have to be constantly replacing them.

The Tool poster is fine.

Haha I'm glad you approve! You should see the giant one on the wall opposite Otis

maybe not right now on the rocks but your chameleon will grow very quickly and could easily swallow one down the road. Veild chameleons can swallow birds and pinky mice with no problem when they are adults. You just don't want an accident to happen. They do look larger in the last pic you provided. I have seen people use pea pebbles and that is just a disaster waiting to happen.

Yeah I saw those when I was shopping and couldn't help but cringe haha. It sounds like I need to just look a little harder and get some bigger ones. I'm getting a panther btw.

 

[Solid Snake]

Thanks for the tip on the bamboo, I'll be sure to avoid it. I'm not sure if I can find any suitable sticks like that around here and I'm kind of weary about putting things from the outside world in there with him. I think I'll stick with vines and see if that doesn't cut it.


Vines works. Sticks are free though, and easily replaceable.

Just make sure they are free from critters, and give them a hosing off.

Yeah, the more I thought about it the more I realized that was stupid. That seems like an invitation for bacteria and I would have to be constantly replacing them.

Its not stupid, its a logical solution, but only partly is the thing...but yes, you have the right idea.


Haha I'm glad you approve! You should see the giant one on the wall opposite Otis

Well then...

..........