new to chameleons

[c2c]

Are all screen cages absolutely necessary? or can i have just a screen top with a fan blowing across the top not down into it. Im just worried about all the water from misting.
would it ok to keep them outside? i live in Southern California near disney land. the temps can get pretty cold on some nights, my pond gets down to 40 in the winter.

im looking to keep jacksons

 

[laurie]

Are all screen cages absolutely necessary? or can i have just a screen top with a fan blowing across the top not down into it. Im just worried about all the water from misting.
would it ok to keep them outside? i live in Southern California near disney land. the temps can get pretty cold on some nights, my pond gets down to 40 in the winter.

im looking to keep jacksons

We have a lot of cham keepers in your area. Many of them keep the chams outside in al but the coldest part of the year. You are far enough inland from the cost that I would not expect it to get very cold at night. You will still need to address the same issues. They need access to sun and to shade, misted several times a day, normal food of course & I would put a dripper on each cage. The issue for jacksons is they don't tolerate high temps, and you would almost need one of the mister's, used on patios, on them all time to keep up humidity and keep down temps. If you need more help just let me know.

 

[c2c]

it gets down to 40F at night sometimes...they would be protected from the heat because i would put them under the awning (sp?) and rely on heat, basking and uvb bulbs.
would it be ok to keep them in a glass tank as long as i provide ventilation for them?

 

[Crruxxy]

I use an aquazamp with a rain dome, it still puts out a bit of mist. the only issue I have is drainage which I can easily fix just don't have the time. I never have a problem with water and I have an all screen cage.

 

[ben7ani]

I know people say dont use glass... I have used glass for 4 years and haven't had any issues... he eats fine, poops fine walks around fine...

I have a 90cm x 45cm x 90cm exo terra with mesh top, lucky reptile fogger, lucky reptile rain system... branches, vines and real plants and he does just fine in that. Maybe I am lucky and have a good cham... probably not... i know a few professional reptile keepers that keep them in glass enclosures... the only reptile I wouldnt keep in a full glass enclosure is a chinese water dragon.

Humidty ranges from 90-95% when sprayed and dries out to roughly 50% before the next spray. I have everything set on remote timers. It rains 3x daily, 15 seconds in the morning and evening. At midday it comes on for 10seconds seconds and then off for 10 seconds, then back on for a further 15 seconds. This pause occasionally encourages him to drink.

Hope this helps. It depends on your budget with how you can work your set up.

 

[laurie]

I know people say dont use glass... I have used glass for 4 years and haven't had any issues... he eats fine, poops fine walks around fine...

I have a 90cm x 45cm x 90cm exo terra with mesh top, lucky reptile fogger, lucky reptile rain system... branches, vines and real plants and he does just fine in that. Maybe I am lucky and have a good cham... probably not... i know lots of professional reptile keepers that keep them in glass enclosures... the only reptile I wouldnt keep in a full glass enclosure is a chinese water dragon.

Humidty ranges from 90-95% when sprayed and dries out to roughly 50% before the next spray. I have everything set on remote timers. It rains 3x daily, 15 seconds in the morning and evening. At midday it comes on for 10seconds seconds and then off for 10 seconds, then back on for a further 15 seconds. This pause occasionally encourages him to drink.

Hope this helps. It depends on your budget with how you can work your set up.

I have kept chams in glass, as have others. If you know what you are doing, and meet the chams needs, then it works as well as screen. But it takes more care and knowledge to set one up in glass is why it is not approved of by some people.

As hot at it gets in CA, the guy might have trouble keeping to cool enough for jacksons in glass.

 

[ben7ani]

Personally if you decide to get a glass enclosure I'd keep eyes on your chameleon for the first couple of days.

It may stress out due to being able to see its reflection, if this is the case try covering up the sides of the glass with hanging plants (the ones with suction cups). I hear this helps massively. If this still doesnt work then you'll have to move him/her into a screen / wooden viv. If you plan to use a wooden viv make sure it has plenty of airflow travelling through it. This can be achieved by installing air vents; put a minimum of 2 at the bottom near the substrate and 2 up the top (better yet add 2 small fans, one blowing in fresh air and one sucking out the stale air)

 

[c2c]

I have kept chams in glass, as have others. If you know what you are doing, and meet the chams needs, then it works as well as screen. But it takes more care and knowledge to set one up in glass is why it is not approved of by some people.

As hot at it gets in CA, the guy might have trouble keeping to cool enough for jacksons in glass.

If the Jacksons are ok outside all year then i will put them in a wood/screen cage
If they are inside then I most likely have a solid back and sides for when i mist down the cage. would acrylic be ok since it is 90%+ clear compared to glass at 70%ish. i dont think i would get as much of a reflection

 

[c2c]

what size enclosure should 2 jacksons be housed in? i was thinking 24x24x36-48