ok.. getting started, here's my shopping list....

[lisagr07]

i am in the process of acquiring the necessary items to set up an enclosure for the arrival of my "first chameleon"!!! it's going to be a male Veiled chameleon, about 3-4 months old, depending when the "adoption" takes place..

here in Memphis, TN, on May 8th and 9th, Mother's Day weekend, there is going to be a Repticon show...
i am sooo looking forward to this show. i have made out a shopping list of things i am going to get there. since i won't be getting the chameleon until sometime in June, i'm thinking, i can see exactly what i'm getting along with saving on shipping. i'm not trying to skimp, i just like "wysiwyg".

so far here is what i'm going after::

16x16x30 or 18x18x36 screen cage, with kickplate type bottom door for easy cleaning access
drip tray
5.0 Reptisun linear tube bulb for uvb exposure
digital thermometer
digital hygrometer
little/big dripper system
vitamins:
calcium without d-3
calcium with d-3
a multivitamin supplement
"dry gut loading foods" for feeders (?) (read about it here)
different sized vines and wood products for climbing and basking

Mistking, misting system..

24x24x48 screen cage, with drip tray, for later.. why not buy it now,,, i'll need it shortly.

at this time i have:

the linear tube fixture, for both sized cages
clamp on light fixture for 40watt bulb
spray bottle, for hand misting
lg. critter keeper for crickets
grape vines, from hobby lobby, soaked and straightened out
30" tall cabinet for cage along with set of plastic storage drawers, one for cage drainage collection, one for misting system water...
plants,,
hibiscus plants, for rotation in inside cage, also outside sunning
schifilera, for inside cage
ficus, for outside sunning
also, outdoor misting system if necessary....


and when it is available the "Herpkeeper" from Digital Aquatics... (my husband manages an aquarium store and loves gadgets)... we use their "Reefkeepers" on our aquariums,,, this is something that that they are soon to be out with, i'm sure it is something that we will have "to have"..

when the time arrives i will have other food sources..
with my husband managing an aquarium store he has access to "live foods" i know he can get various sized crickets for feeding.. the other food options, i'm still putting together...

please feel free to add to my list!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
make suggestions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
anything that will help me have a healthy, happy chameleon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i'm trying very hard to cover all angles of chameleon keeping. i have been doing a LOT of reading here.. this forum has been soooo helpful with helping me understand the needs of a chameleon... i can't wait to be an owner!!!!

thanks alot,,, lisa

 

[laurie]

Congrats Lisa you are doing great.

You said outside sunning, are you taking a cage out or what? If you don't take a cage out just be aware a male veiled can vanish faster that you would believe. Also a bird etc can hurt your cham.

 

[lisagr07]

Congrats Lisa you are doing great.

You said outside sunning, are you taking a cage out or what? If you don't take a cage out just be aware a male veiled can vanish faster that you would believe. Also a bird etc can hurt your cham.

thanks Laurie,

outside sunning will only be done in an enclosure, i'm way to paranoid to just let him go "free ranging" outside on his own.. i'm always amazed at the pics of the chameleons outside, loose in shrubs... i'd be much too leary of cats lurking around...

my plans initially are to use the "extra" cage for outside trips.. then as he grows to build an outside enclosure on the deck outside my backdoor for him to get out in during nice weather, it is under an arbor covered with greenery in the summer.. i'd like to have something about 2x6x6 with ficus tress and hibiscus plants along with numerous vines for him to roam on..
i sit out there a lot and birdwatch.. i really think that it would be a setting that any chameleon would enjoy!!!!!

lisa

 

[Mr Wilson]

For the thermometer and hydrometer, a few companies make both in one. You may want to check that out

 

[beeze]

It's really nice to see the ones who prepare BEFORE they buy a cham.
I have not had allot of luck getting hibiscus to live inside.....they require a great deal of sun. You might use the hibiscus outside and the ficus inside. I also like to use a pothos, they hold water and help to keep up the humidity.

Here's a link to a cage that I built for my female veiled. Maybe it will give you some ideas when you start to set up your cage. https://www.chameleonforums.com/members/beeze-albums-making-aluminum-cage.html

 

[lisagr07]

For the thermometer and hydrometer, a few companies make both in one. You may want to check that out

thanks Mr Wilson.... i'll do some surfing and check on that option...

there's no updated list of vendors for the show yet so i'm not sure whom will be there and with what products..

thanks for the suggestion,, lisa

 

[lisagr07]

It's really nice to see the ones who prepare BEFORE they buy a cham.
I have not had allot of luck getting hibiscus to live inside.....they require a great deal of sun. You might use the hibiscus outside and the ficus inside. I also like to use a pothos, they hold water and help to keep up the humidity.

Here's a link to a cage that I built for my female veiled. Maybe it will give you some ideas when you start to set up your cage. https://www.chameleonforums.com/members/beeze-albums-making-aluminum-cage.html

Breeze, i've been trying to do my homework...

i'm thinking that the schifilera and some pothos will be the indoor plants with the hibiscus and the ficus for outdoors...

thanks so much for the cage building pics!!! looks like you're a lot more handy than myself when it comes to assembly!! i'm going to have to go with the manufactured enclosure. although i am planning on a larger outdoor structure using wood and screen..

what is that green mesh that was attached over the screen with the pop rivits? i like it's looks. seems like it would be easier for the chameleon he get ahold of when climbing up the cage..

thanks again,, lisa

 

[jannb]

The green mesh is called plastic fencing or chicken fencing. You can buy it by thr roll at Lowes or Home Depot. The screen can cause the chameleon to loose nails, that never grow back and the fencing gives them something to grip on to instead of just the screen.

 

[lisagr07]

The green mesh is called plastic fencing or chicken fencing. You can buy it by thr roll at Lowes or Home Depot. The screen can cause the chameleon to loose nails, that never grow back and the fencing gives them something to grip on to instead of just the screen.

thanks Jann,,

looks like it would definitely be something beneficial to add to the inside of my cage...
i'd really like to avoid all possible traumatic events possible!!!

lisa