Pygmy Safe Terrarium?

[The Dude]

hey everybody! So im a noob i guess to this site. lol I have just finished a terrarium that was going to be for some dart frogs but now I was thinking of getting some pygmy chameleons instead. I was thinking they would be funner to watch. Anyway if i do get pygmy's I will need to change a few things like add moisture resistant branches and some leaves and all of that good stuff.

here it is. I'm not completely done yet. Im waiting for some more air plants to get here.

When I was setting up the back of the cage, i put 6 little tubes with dripper's on the ends into the foam before it hardened so the back would always be dripping wet and look cool and also water plants.

here's a better look. Its cool but I was thinking it might not work for the pygmy's, i don't want them to drown.

 

[Vegas Chad]

That is an awesome looking tank! Try not to let the water pool in reach of the pig and I think that will work fine! You can pick some up at the SUPER show this weekend in SD rather than have them shipped.

 

[The Dude]

Oh yea! that's a great idea. I was planning on going so I might as well get them there. I'm always a little nervous to have chameleons shipped to me. Oh and thanks about the terrarium, I had a fun time making it and will have to make some more soon.

 

[Brad Ramsey]

Pygmy enclosures should be able to dry out between mistings which can't happen with the drippers on the back wall.
You also need 3 to 4 inches of substrate (from the bottom up) hydroton, fabric screen, activated charcoal, fabric screen, organic soil/coco fiber.
This will create a water table which will help maintain humidity, but allow the surface to get dry.
Lots more branches, plants and (you mentioned) leaf litter and forest floor detritus as well as micro fauna (sow bugs, springtails, firebrats, small temperate millipedes) to keep things clean.
Good luck!
We love keeping them.

-Brad

 

[The Dude]

That is true about the drippers… maybe I can have them on a timer to come on a few times a day. If anything I can always just turn them off. I have the hydroton as well as activated charcoal and coco fiber all separated by fabric screen. These things were also recommended for dart frogs so I lucked out. As for the soil, I can add a few more inches to it. Everything at this point can be easily removed. I’m looking around for some good branches and small vines. I am trying to keep everything as natural as I can but im kinda tempted to use some of that rubbery plastic vine stuff that can be bent to the shapes you want. Also where can I get these insects? And aren’t millipedes toxic?

 

[Eyal]

millipedes are not toxic, centipedes are. These insects are almos everywhere in nutritionous dirt. You found them in forests where there is a majority with leaf trees. Or in your backyard.

Good luck
David

 

[eisentrauti]

Looks great, but as Brad said, you need much more branches and places where they can hide

 

[The Dude]

Of course Millipedes are toxic, at least a huge percentage of them are that can basically fart hydrogen cyanide. Toxins affect you when inhaled or digested. Centipedes aren’t toxic but venomous. Brad must be talking about a certain type of millipede.

I think Im going to put a ficus in the back with a manzanita in the front this way i can improve my chances of seeing the little guys.

 

[Ryan Jarosek]

I kinda did the same thing

Here is my thread on it

https://www.chameleonforums.com/pygs-new-home-19519/index5.html

 

[dirrtybirdy]

Correct me if im wrong, but dont they needs lots of twigs and branches of different size? Im not an expert but ive read that they do.