It's almost impossible for them to free range, so they have learned how to cup feed. A Reptarium would allow the possibility of free ranging, and I was actually considering picking one up.
lbesok: Do you mean, right now they can't hunt free-ranged prey, but if they were caged, they could hunt prey loose in the cage? I got confused when "free-range" was applied to the prey instead of the chameleon.
Cristian:
Reptariums are useful, particulary the largest sizes, but I customize mine for use indoors. Melleri need a lot of water mistings, so you have to create a way to catch and drain all that water. I buy a roll of 6mil clear plastic at hardware stores/WalMart, and using ordinary staples and duct tape for added strength, I "diaper" and fold an outer shell of plastic around the back wall, one side, and bottom of the Reptarium. If you can place the 260-gallon up on a long table or risers, you can use it in the long shape (horizontal), which gives the chameleon maximum exercise space. The height also allows a vertical drop for waste water to go down into a catch bucket.
The liner they sell for Reptariums will create a dangerous well of waste water inside the cage, with no easy way to drain it. The plastic "diaper" directs water away from the cage and down to a 5-gallon catch bucket. It's much more sanitary than the liner.
To maintain the zipper, put petroleum jelly on the entire zipper length every few months. Zipper breakage will make your Reptarium useless, you'll have to buy a replacement screen.
If you get an adult melleri, there isn't a size too large. Babies are clumsy and prone to falls, so they should not be free-ranged or kept in a cage taller than 30". The MD article about Raising Juveniles talks about their needs.
Before I get a new melleri, my to-do list looks like:
decide and measure where cage will go
get a 6' table or other sturdy stand for the cage
buy a new Reptarium
diaper the Reptarium with 6mil plastic
buy a new waste bucket, 5 gallon
add mist system nozzles for cage
secure heat lamp hood and long UVB ballast to cage
put in largest plants (new and washed with soap and water, repotted)
tie in all long perches
place smaller plants in empty spaces
get an ultrasonic humidifier, add on PVC pipe to direct the mist into the cage
UNLESS I will be free-ranging it. Then I pick a secure room, set up a lamp stand, etc. I did an experimental range this time, by hanging the 6mil plastic from the ceiling at one end, and underneath the plants and rising to a short curb on the other end, at the front of the table. There is loose plastic hanging behind the table, next to the wall, so mist water collects back there and drains into a bucket under the table. Works great! My ranges are pretty bland compared to the awesome ones other keepers have made.
If there is a language barrier, here are MD translations. They are old, they don't match the latest English version.
The Spanish version:
http://www.melleridiscovery.com/Spanish/Spanish.htm
The Dutch version:
http://www.melleridiscovery.com/Dutch/Dutch.htm
flchams.com ....mike just hatched some cb mellers a week or so ago check his page out and give him a call!
