Mesh vs. Aluminum Screen

[cba040608]

I am debating on what kind of cage to get. I ordered an aluminum cage but the seller still hasnt shipped it out to me. I can go to a store right now to get a 2x2x4 mesh cage for my panther chameleon but just wanted to know from other people what their opinions were on the two types. I've heard two sides about mesh, some say its not good for crickets (I dont really leave crickets in the cage anyhow) and the other was that I couldn't place a light right on top of the cage. The guy who is selling the mesh cage says he lays his dome on top of that kind of cage, and that its o.k. as long as the bulb itself isnt touching the material. . . do you agree with this? How long would it take a cricket to eat through that mesh material anyways?

 

[toddmkeller]

I got a 2x2x4 cage for my panther from cages.net. You can upgrade to 1/8 suntex for free! (suntex is what I believe to be aluminum screen, but its coating makes it much easier on your chams feet. The 1/8" screen makes it nicer for your chams feet too because it can help avoid nail loss I reccomend cages.net

-Todd

 

[murtasma]

I hear of some people having problems with chameleons hurting toes on the aluminum cages. I think this may stem from the lack of climbing materials in the cage. I have tons of vines that go to the very top of my cage. I rarely see my chameleon crawl on the screen except for a foot for balance sometimes when going between vines.

If you go with the mesh cage you will probably need to get a 10 UV bulb since the mesh is thicker and blocks more of the UV rays from the tube. Also I have heard of crickets eating through the mesh and escaping.

I don't think you can go wrong with either cage as long as the inside is setup properly. The mesh cages also tend to make viewing a little harder.