Noob questions regarding enclosures

[Nrupaw]

Hi everyone,
I am considering getting myself a Chameleon. So in process of doing my due diligence. There's a ton of information out there with regards to care and upkeep. It can get overwhelming so i figured I'd reach out to folks on this forum for some good advice. Got a ton of questions on my end, so bear with me

I am researching encolsures and I was wondering if someone could help me out on that end. I was considering getting a screen cage but then found out that they aren't as strudy and do a lousy job with heat and humidity control. Same thing with glass enclosures - that they aren't as good for Chameleons.

Can anyone point me to any website onsite that sell good enclosures sutaible for housing chameleons? Ideally looking for something that's no more then 36 inches wide.

Also, some of my friends told me to look at starter kits. Is that advisable or should i shop for for products individually.

Here's my list of items that I think I'd need. Am i missing anything??

• Cage/enclosure
• vines/branches
• Heating Lamp
• Thermometer
• Humidity Gauge
• Water Dripper - Mist King (thanks blackened)
• UVB bulb. Reprisun 5.0 fluorescent tube (thanks blackened)

Another follow up question I have is that, I see online there are some enclosures that have a removable base to drain out water, fallen debri etc. Are those any good?


p.s. incase these questions have been answered in the forum, can someone give me links to those?

 

[blackened]

Please don't forget a UVB bulb. The light of choice is the reprisun 5.0 fluorescent tube. Extremely important to help them produce vitamin D3 which aids in calcium being absorbed into their body. A definite must!

Some real plants such as ficus, pothos, hibiscus would help keep your Cham happy too

As well as a water dripper it's advised that you get either an automated mister (mistking is allegedly the best make) or at least a hand spray bottle.

What species/sex are you looking to get? That impacts what you need greatly.

 

[Nrupaw]

Hi.
thanks for the heads up on the UVB bulb. So does that mean, i'd need 2 lights? 1) UVB lamp, 2) Heating lap ?

Yup, got plants in mind too. Will add automated mister to my list.

Was considering getting a juvenile male Veiled. Seems like that's the most "entry level" breed. Am i correct in assuming that?

 

[blackened]

Veileds and panthers are good cause you can afford to make small mistakes without killing them.

I'd strongly recommend reading through all of JannB's blogs. She's a very reputable keeper and has a wealth of knowledge: link

Also, read DavidBuchan's veiled care sheet. Another seasoned keeper and has lots of great info: link

Yes, you will need a basking light (standard house lights are best for this, last long, cheap and easily attainable) and a seperate UVB. Without UVB your chameleon will probably contract metabolic bone disease. Search mbd on this forum to get some pics.

Our female veiled is housed in a reptibreeze enclosure. It's all mesh, which is good as ventilation is very important for a healthy velied or panther chameleon. It measures 24"x24"x48" and seems to be the standard for both species (maybe slightly larger required for panther).

As for drainage, there are many different solutions. The trick is to find what will work best for you in the space you have. Have a good browse through the enclosures section of this forum to get some ideas.

I should've said in my first post, props to you for doing your research well before getting your chameleon!

 

[Nrupaw]

Thanks for the 2 links. Bookmarked!

I have been looking at the enclosures from LLLReptile.com those look promising too.

thanks for the props. Been a freshwater aquarium hobbyist since i was a little kid, so i can say have had 20 years of experience on that end. So I know first hand the amount of work these things take. (and how expensive they can get!)