Just installed my new Dragon Ledges!

[werecat]

I have been jealous of all of the people who have the new Dragon Strand cages, with the cool built-in ledges for attaching branches, hanging plants, etc. Since I'm not quite in the market for a new cage, I was thrilled when Dragon Strand came out with their new Dragon Ledges product which can retrofit many existing screen cages with those awesome weight-bearing ledges. We picked some up from Bill at the last reptile show and just installed them this weekend. I am very pleased with how they turned out and how useful they are. They really open up possibilities for setting up chameleon enclosures!

I purchased the Dragon Ledge "Forever Cage" package (for the Kammerflage Forever Cage). This includes four 16" ledges for the sides of the cage, and one 24" ledge for the back of the cage (5 ledges total).


I know there are some really cool things that can be done with these ledges, some plant pots, and some "great stuff" foam, but I wanted to maximize real-estate with my current cage and decided not to go the "great stuff" route. Instead, my setup is simple, but these ledges gave me a lot more freedom to attach branches and vines without piercing more thumbtacks into my already worn screen or having to use fishing line to tie things into the screen. I was thrilled that I am now able to hang plants with ease and set up my first small pothos. I plan to add another once I repot one. It's a bit sparse plant-wise, but I'm sure the pothos will take over in no time and it is very easy to hang more plants.


*By the way, these kitchen containers from IKEA are a perfect fit on the ledges, and hold a small plant. There are even built-in drainage holes!
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10271091/

I can also see these matching hooks being useful.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70271093/

And, the ledges make great pathways in themselves!

 

[grccola]

I just ordered a 3 pack from amazon for 14.99 lol but it would have cost me almost as much in gas and tolls plus 2 hours of my time to go to ikea I hope they work

 

[Carlton]

And, the ledges make great pathways in themselves!
View attachment 105342

Look at that little guy patrolling the perimeter! Great shot!

 

[lovelychams]

He approves of the ledges.

 

[Carlton]

He approves of the ledges.

And is probably scent marking them along the way too!

 

[Carlton]

I know there are some really cool things that can be done with these ledges, some plant pots, and some "great stuff" foam, but I wanted to maximize real-estate with my current cage and decided not to go the "great stuff" route.

Never been a fan of using up real estate with background walls, great stuff, etc. Funny, until I saw these pics I didn't realize that my DYI ideas for perch supports were pretty similar. But, I've had to do similar perch mounts in my bird aviaries for many years too. The Dragon Ledges are obviously better looking than mine (sealed wooden lath attached to the screens with toggles or screws, small diameter pvc with drilled holes, attached to the mesh with small cable ties). Wherever I had to put something heavier through the mesh I would reinforce it with hot glued plastic washers or grommets.

I also tend to buy oversized plants and prune them down to provide climbing pathways around the cage, rather than wait for little ones to grow up.

 

[DeremensisBlue]

Backgrounds and Great Stuff

Backgrounds and Great Stuff interior decorations serve two purposes if done correctly

1) Appeal to Humans
On this forum where we appropriately focus so much on the needs of the chameleon, we don't often think about what we need. But this is important to do because the more enjoyable the experience the more we will remain engaged. The more beautiful the cage the more spouses will tolerate this strange hobby. There are real indirect benefits to the chameleon by having an environment attractive to the keeper and the people that influence the keeper.

2) Benefit to the Chameleon
One draw back to standard screen caging is that the chameleon can never truly hide beyond swiveling behind its perching stick. Even with plants in the cage, there are all these open sides. Used strategically, Great Stuff sculpture can be used in conjunction with lush hanging plants to create a hidden glen of sorts where the chameleon can retreat when it does not feel like being on display. You will find interesting behaviors in the normally gregarious Panthers when they are given an option to get away from it all. Depending on what is going on around them, they will perch in the open and then disappear for a little while and then be back out in the open. I was able to create a feature like this by using a thin layer of Great Stuff beneath a hanging pot of pothos.

It is great to see what people are starting to do with these Dragon Ledges!

Bill

 

[Carlton]

Backgrounds and Great Stuff interior decorations serve two purposes if done correctly

1) Appeal to Humans
On this forum where we appropriately focus so much on the needs of the chameleon, we don't often think about what we need. But this is important to do because the more enjoyable the experience the more we will remain engaged. The more beautiful the cage the more spouses will tolerate this strange hobby. There are real indirect benefits to the chameleon by having an environment attractive to the keeper and the people that influence the keeper.

2) Benefit to the Chameleon
One draw back to standard screen caging is that the chameleon can never truly hide beyond swiveling behind its perching stick. Even with plants in the cage, there are all these open sides. Used strategically, Great Stuff sculpture can be used in conjunction with lush hanging plants to create a hidden glen of sorts where the chameleon can retreat when it does not feel like being on display. You will find interesting behaviors in the normally gregarious Panthers when they are given an option to get away from it all. Depending on what is going on around them, they will perch in the open and then disappear for a little while and then be back out in the open. I was able to create a feature like this by using a thin layer of Great Stuff beneath a hanging pot of pothos.

It is great to see what people are starting to do with these Dragon Ledges!

Bill

Well, this is certainly personal preference. My typical cages are quite large with dense foliage of different types with visual retreats toward the back of the cage. I just envision a cham's territory as the top of a large bush or tree with somewhat of a view from most sides. If I can't find the cham (unless its basking) its about right. Same idea, different method.

 

[MelissaB]

Very nice! You can hardly even see the planter, it looks like the plant is floating.

 

[grccola]

just got my containers today they fit perfect on the ledges thanks for the idea

 

[grccola]

got my pots yesterday this what I did with them .

 

[grccola]

got my pots yesterday this what I did with them . sorry about the triple post can not get photo to load up