TheLetterAfterP(Q)
Avid Member
Over the past year or so I have been researching everything there is to know about owning and caring for a chameleon (mainly a veiled.) ANNND I THINK IM READY!! The chameleon my girlfriend and I will be getting will be a baby veild chameleon (possibly a translucent.) All that's left for us to do is purchase and set up his enclosure. However I would like to consult with the "experts" before making any final purchases/ decisions.
For his enclosure we have two options:
Option A, a tall cabinent that would be convert into a cage. (16"L 16"W 40"H) It already has a bottom drawer as well to make drainage ez pz. All I would need to do is set up the drainage, waterproof it, cut out the top and side holes and add screen to them all. It seems extreamly easy and inexpensive, not to mention all the pros that come along with keeping a baby chameleon in a smaller cage. I would also like to change out the back piece of wood on the cabinet as well, due to it being cheap. What would be the best material to use for this? Also any tips on waterproofing? Is this a good/better route?
Option B, the beautiful Large Keeper cage from our sponsor dragonstrand.com. I'm hesitant to get this one due to quite a few articles I've read that keeping a baby chameleon in a larger enclosure is not only harder, but could possibly be dangerous and/or stressful to him. With that being said, my girlfriend had the brilliant idea to use some type material to make a false bottom and simply set it on top of the dragon ledges to make a "smaller" cage inside. Has anyone every tried this? If so what did you use and how did it work out? At the end of the day, whether I buy it in the beginning or the end I'll most likely end up buying this one anyways largely due to the fact that an adult male needs the space and in all honesty you cant find a better cage. Do to this being our first time keeping a chameleon, I want it to be as straight forward as possible. This way we can provide our little guy with the best life.
We intend on buying all (if not most) of our miscellaneous supplies from LLLReptiles.com. No matter which cage I end up going with, the lighting and decor will basically be the same. A t5HO uvb bulb and fixture as well as a deep dome fixture equipped with the proper wattage incandescent light bulb. The only question I have about lighting is which timer should I use? Although I could manually turn them on/off it would be better not to have to worry about it. As for foliage, I have a huge list of safe plants and as soon as I get the cage sorted out I will be checking all around for the best ones. For temp/humidity controll: the Zilla Digital Thermometer/hygro as well as a good infrared temp gun. For misting and water needs I will be using a handheld pressure spray bottle as well as a diy dripper. Supplements include Calcium with and without D3 as well as Herptivite.
Any and all comments, criticisms, suggestions, and questions accepted. Thank you all in advance! I'm so excited to become a cham fourm member!
(Picture of option A)
For his enclosure we have two options:
Option A, a tall cabinent that would be convert into a cage. (16"L 16"W 40"H) It already has a bottom drawer as well to make drainage ez pz. All I would need to do is set up the drainage, waterproof it, cut out the top and side holes and add screen to them all. It seems extreamly easy and inexpensive, not to mention all the pros that come along with keeping a baby chameleon in a smaller cage. I would also like to change out the back piece of wood on the cabinet as well, due to it being cheap. What would be the best material to use for this? Also any tips on waterproofing? Is this a good/better route?
Option B, the beautiful Large Keeper cage from our sponsor dragonstrand.com. I'm hesitant to get this one due to quite a few articles I've read that keeping a baby chameleon in a larger enclosure is not only harder, but could possibly be dangerous and/or stressful to him. With that being said, my girlfriend had the brilliant idea to use some type material to make a false bottom and simply set it on top of the dragon ledges to make a "smaller" cage inside. Has anyone every tried this? If so what did you use and how did it work out? At the end of the day, whether I buy it in the beginning or the end I'll most likely end up buying this one anyways largely due to the fact that an adult male needs the space and in all honesty you cant find a better cage. Do to this being our first time keeping a chameleon, I want it to be as straight forward as possible. This way we can provide our little guy with the best life.
We intend on buying all (if not most) of our miscellaneous supplies from LLLReptiles.com. No matter which cage I end up going with, the lighting and decor will basically be the same. A t5HO uvb bulb and fixture as well as a deep dome fixture equipped with the proper wattage incandescent light bulb. The only question I have about lighting is which timer should I use? Although I could manually turn them on/off it would be better not to have to worry about it. As for foliage, I have a huge list of safe plants and as soon as I get the cage sorted out I will be checking all around for the best ones. For temp/humidity controll: the Zilla Digital Thermometer/hygro as well as a good infrared temp gun. For misting and water needs I will be using a handheld pressure spray bottle as well as a diy dripper. Supplements include Calcium with and without D3 as well as Herptivite.
Any and all comments, criticisms, suggestions, and questions accepted. Thank you all in advance! I'm so excited to become a cham fourm member!
(Picture of option A)