New Free Range hybrid set up

[Ashleigh]

I Just set up a free range around Loki's cage since I still wanted to use his cage for feeding crickets and to keep his lights on when he needs warmth, and for his mister and water so I can channel the water from the cage into a tub underneath. When he gets bigger, I will be getting a bigger cage as well. I wanted to know what all of you thought and if you had any constructive criticism? Since I am a new owner for about a month now, I need all the help I can get! I think this turned out pretty good though, and it wasn't even that expensive, and I went to two stores to get everything so it made it easy!

 

[followmehaha]

I think this is a very good idea! I have thought about getting one of these set up too. Have you seen your cham going back to the cage for water/food/UV and warmth? That is one thing that holds me back from setting up this type of free range.

 

[Allie30]

Really nice setup, I think he's gonna love you for that

 

[Ashleigh]

I think this is a very good idea! I have thought about getting one of these set up too. Have you seen your cham going back to the cage for water/food/UV and warmth? That is one thing that holds me back from setting up this type of free range.

Well, I used to just put a tall silk bamboo plant in front of his cage before I set this up, and he'd go back into his cage when he needed the warmth so Hopefully he does the same thing with this! I'm still watching him though since this is our first day with this set up. I will update as soon as I get a few more days in. I just took him out in the sun for 20 minutes for some real vitamin D, which he loved! I just layed on the grass so I'd be lower than him and he basked on the toes of my tennis shoe I think he's starting to realize I'm not going to eat him lol

 

[Ashleigh]

Really nice setup, I think he's gonna love you for that

Thanks! I hope it all works out! I'm sure he'll be fine though, he's pretty smart about going back into his cage for warmth if he needs it I'll keep an eye on him though to make sure he does okay this weekend, and if so, I'll keep his cage open everyday and he'll have his own room in my office!

 

[PantherEnvy]

Very impressive.

 

[followmehaha]

Well, I used to just put a tall silk bamboo plant in front of his cage before I set this up, and he'd go back into his cage when he needed the warmth so Hopefully he does the same thing with this! I'm still watching him though since this is our first day with this set up. I will update as soon as I get a few more days in. I just took him out in the sun for 20 minutes for some real vitamin D, which he loved! I just layed on the grass so I'd be lower than him and he basked on the toes of my tennis shoe I think he's starting to realize I'm not going to eat him lol

Good to know! definitely keep us updated. I'm gonna rush out to buy a fake tree tomorrow right away to start this semi-free range too. Sounds like fun!

 

[Ashleigh]

Okay, so first day with hybrid free range:
He tried to go to sleep on the blindes but he hadn't gone back into his cage for warmth like I had expected so I had to wake him up and put him back into his cage before the lights went out for him to go to sleep(he WAS NOT happy about that). He absolutely loves it, but I think I have to do it for a few hours at a time until he becomes an adult, since the area is kinda big for him and he's five months old, which is what I was expecting anyway. He didn't go to the ground at all so far, just stayed really high and climbed back and forth all day. But so far I'm happy with how it's coming along, and how happy he is when he gets to get out and exercise. I definitely will not be free ranging his crickets and I want him to keep coming back to his cage for the lights and water so I'm still feeding him while he's in his cage.

 

[SoCaliRocker]

I like the set up. It's kind of the same set up I have. I feed him in the morning. After that, he gets to explore. I bought him a large tree for his exploring time, that sits right by a window. Luckily I live in california, so it's usually good weather for him. Normally he sleeps in his free range tree. In the morning before he eats, I put him under his lights in the cage. Other than that, I let him choose where to go.

 

[Venutus1]

What a great idea... and it looks like Buda approves.

 

[Solid Snake]

I like it

I like your Buddha too

Buddha neither approves or disapproves.
Buddha is on the table.
The table is next to the FR.

Namu Amida butsu...

 

[Ashleigh]

I like the set up. It's kind of the same set up I have. I feed him in the morning. After that, he gets to explore. I bought him a large tree for his exploring time, that sits right by a window. Luckily I live in california, so it's usually good weather for him. Normally he sleeps in his free range tree. In the morning before he eats, I put him under his lights in the cage. Other than that, I let him choose where to go.

How old is your chameleon? I'm afraid to let him sleep in the free range area because he's only five months old I guess and he's my first little one so I'm nervous lol. I had a cricket escape this morning out off his cage which freaked me out, so I think I may start cup feeding which may lead to the lights hanging on my wall and ceiling....we'll see...oh and I'm also worried the area is too big for him to be able to get back and forth to his light since he's little still

 

[Ashleigh]

I like it

I like your Buddha too

Buddha neither approves or disapproves.
Buddha is on the table.
The table is next to the FR.

Namu Amida butsu...

I love my budda!! He's so Zen lol

 

[Ashleigh]

Day two:

So I fed him in his cage and let him warm up for an hour or so, then let him out which he immediately climbed out as soon as I opened his door! My problem was though, he must've gotten too cold because I caught him sleeping at 3 in the afternoon by the window so I woke him up and put him back in his cage for a while (3 hours?) He got some water and some more bugs to eat then I let him out again. He was very active and looked good and I found him sleeping (at the correct time this time) on the vines near the top of the window. I just let him sleep this time since it was around his bed time anyway and I'm planning on putting him back in his cage tomorrow morning so I can feed and water him again and let him out. I don't think I could let him out by himself durring a whole day though since he's not going back for warmth and uv like i thought he would like when I would let him climb on our bamboo plant, maybe because the cage is lower, or the area is big for him? I'm not sure but I'm thinking about hanging the lights or having hooks on the ceiling to hang them if I need to when he's out on his free range.