New enclosure decision advice

JamesBryan

JamesBryan

Member
Hi everyone,

I've been lurking on here for a few years and I used to have a bearded dragon.

I'm looking at getting a Veiled chameleon, but having a difficult decision choosing the best type of enclosure.

The two types i'm looking at are the mesh screen type and the wooden vivarium type with glass sliding doors and ventilation front and back.

Which would you say is best in terms of keeping a steady temperature/humidity for a newbie to chameleons?
 
Get a full screen inclosure. You can always use something like a shower curtin to help keep humidity levels higher depending on where you live. Natural plants and an automatic misting system will also help greatly with humidity levels.
 
OK great, i'll have a look at one like the ReptiBreeze cage.

Indoor temps are usually around 70+ during most of the year, with winter temps dropping slightly. That should be ok shouldn't it?
 
My house (in winter) drops to 60f at night and from what I researched and asked on here I've found that Veileds will have no problem dealing with the cooler temps during the night (it's actully a good thing to have a temp drop) as long as they have a basking spot to go to when the lights go on in the morning. (Run on sentence). I found that doing research was all part of the fun of owning a chameloen. If you have the means get the best possible products you can. I've learded a ton on this forum and the members are a wealth of knowledge.
 
Yeah, I've been doing a fair bit of research on here and other places.

And I agree, i'll get the best I can possibly afford. We all want the best for our pets.
 
Hi James, I live in the UK as well and have two chameleons, a Panther and a Veiled.

I keep my adult Veiled in a 2x2x4 (Ex Large) reptibreeze, my Veiled has positively thrived since I moved him into it about three months ago. I previously kept him in a glass Exo-Terra which is smaller and which my Panther, whom is younger is in at the moment, but you honestly cannot beat the all screen cages without a doubt.

If you are concerned about humidity, then cover both sides of the cage and the back with thick strong bubble wrap - this helps as well to keep all the moisture from spraying inside the cage and off your walls and floor. The humidity in my reptibreeze is ambient at about 70, never drops below 50 and peaks at between 80 and 90 after being sprayed.

The cages are light, easy to clean and I personally would not have anything else. I am moving my Panther into exactly the same set up next weekend.
 
Cheers Ziggy

Is yours currently wrapped in bubble wrap then to get that humidity or is it just as it comes as screen mesh?
 
Inside.

Go on eBay and buy a large, wide, industrial sized roll. You can catch the top edges of it into the cage when you assemble it, and then just let it roll down the sides on the inside of the cage and leave it long enough so that it drapes well onto the bottom of the Reptibreeze, that way, when you spray, the water runs down it and into the bottom of the cage with none escaping. Its good as well because the chameleon can climb on it without the risk of them breaking their nails, which they can on a screen cage sometimes.
 
perfect!!

Here's a photo of my setup.... you can see what I mean with regard to the bubble wrap, hopefully...

IMGP2763-007.JPG
 
JamesBryan said:
That looks really good!

How are the branches held up at the sides of the cage?
Click to expand...

Thumb tacks from B&Q!! Its genius and so easy!

You need to get sticks that are reasonably hard in the core that they hold the tack in place firmly enough to be able to take the weight of the Chameleon, but not too firm that you can't push it in in the first place - bamboo is terrible, its like iron!

I used willow sticks that I bought again from B&Q in a bundle. I washed and disinfected them, then cut them to size so they touched the edges of the mesh and then pushed the tacks in from the outside.

when there are a few in place, I started to lash them and the bendy vines in place with small plastic cable ties (gotta love B&Q!!), then cut the ends of and filed them down, so that there are no sharp edges that will injure little feet.

After a few minutes of doing this, you will find that you have an absolutely rock steady set of perches and climbing places for your chameleon.

Anything else you need, just shout!!
 
Ahh I get you. That's a pretty clever idea.

I'll be building my setup soon and getting it ready for the new year. When everything is perfect I'll look for a chameleon.

Thanks for your help mate.
 
JamesBryan said:
Ahh I get you. That's a pretty clever idea.

I'll be building my setup soon and getting it ready for the new year. When everything is perfect I'll look for a chameleon.

Thanks for your help mate.
Click to expand...

You are more than welcome!

If you are going to buy a Reptibreeze new though, I strongly recommend that you get the largest one - mine is four feet in height and is really the best size for an adult chameleon - gives them much more freedom to roam around, especially when they become fully grown.

They are selling on eBay at the moment for a hundred quid - I bought one last week for my Panther who is moving into it before Christmas.
 
If you're going to buy one, I suggest you do go for that, otherwise you may find yourself having to buy a larger cage once your chameleon reaches maturity.

If you are considering getting a very young chameleon - one that is under 6 months old, then a very large cage can actually be too large - they are so small that they often struggle to find their food in such a large enclosure.

However, to combat this, you can section the bottom half of the XL off whilst your chameleon is young and just use artificial plants for a few months rather than real ones in pots, which is a great help. Real plants are the best choice really, as it replicates their natural environment and assists greatly with humidity, but I have had both of my chameleons in a smaller glass terrarium before the XL Reptibreezes, with just artificial plants with no ill effects. As long as you have a dripper going whilst the lights are on and mist 2/3 times a day, then you should be fine.
 
Yeah, it'll be a baby one that I'll be getting. So I'll section it off as suggested.

I'll have a dripper and a misting system setup.
 
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