Shimizoki's Enclosure Questions

[Shimizoki]

Alright, so I am thinking about building my own enclosure so that it custom fits perfectly into the space I have, and can have a few additional features I may want. I have looked at a lot of other peoples and have a few questions. I realist a lot of these are opinions, but the more ideas the merrier.

1) Should the entire front open into a door? or just part of it?
2) Where does all the water go from the mister? (does it evaporate, or drain?)
3) What are the advantages of filling the bottom with dirt and planting a tree there? (rather than just leaving it in the pot on a bare floor)
4) When placing bugs in the cage, do I need a "feeder" as I have seen other people do, or can I just place them on the floor?
5) Are PVC cages strong enough?
6) Does wood need to be coated against all the water?
7) Can I house a baby Cham in a 2x2x4 cage, but section off part of it so its 2x2x2 and it will be happy?

Any other thoughts are more than welcome, i'm reading about the cages, but I am sure there is some stuff I have missed.

 

[DavidBuchan]

Alright, so I am thinking about building my own enclosure so that it custom fits perfectly into the space I have, and can have a few additional features I may want. I have looked at a lot of other peoples and have a few questions. I realist a lot of these are opinions, but the more ideas the merrier.

1) Should the entire front open into a door? or just part of it? Up to you really, but if you have a decent sized Viv I would say just part of it is more convenient
2) Where does all the water go from the mister? (does it evaporate, or drain?)Mine evaporates and waters the plants (have at least half the front as mesh. Depending on climate - all mesh are easy and convenient). Lots of people use a drain - I have soil and plants covering the bottom of mine - most would prefer no substrate for Chams
3) What are the advantages of filling the bottom with dirt and planting a tree there? (rather than just leaving it in the pot on a bare floor) It looks nice, but for no substrate then - Less hiding places for insects, no chance of Cham eating substrate and getting compacted. easier to clean.
4) When placing bugs in the cage, do I need a "feeder" as I have seen other people do, or can I just place them on the floor? The cham will catch them if you free range the insects and it is more fun to watch. You can monitor it a lot easier when cup feeding - that's what I mostly do, but throw in a few flyers and loose locusts for entertainment (for the Chams and me )
5) Are PVC cages strong enough? Wire mesh covered in pvc? should be. depends on the size and quality of the mesh I guess
6) Does wood need to be coated against all the water? Yes, coated and sealed along the edges.
7) Can I house a baby Cham in a 2x2x4 cage, but section off part of it so its 2x2x2 and it will be happy? Yes, there is no need to section an area off, you can free range them from very young (like in the wild of course). It is easier to monitor their progress in a smaller space when young though......so just if she looks like she wants to get out and explore often then give her more room

Any other thoughts are more than welcome, i'm reading about the cages, but I am sure there is some stuff I have missed.

And since you sent me a PM asking for more info I'll give you a link to a very good blog about keeping Veileds -
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/chameleonsinmyhouse/395-veiled-chameleon-care-sheet.html. You also asked about shedding, but could you be more specific about what you need to know? When young it usually happens in just one day, and often too, because they grow fast. As they get older it is less frequent and takes longer, you need to keep an eye on it to make sure they are often misted or they could have problems getting all the dead skin off, and this can cause infections

 

[Shimizoki]

Thanks David, I don't have access to that page you linked me. Not sure why.

I asked about shedding because I don't see it mentioned anywhere one any websites about chameleon care. If I got a cham and then saw its skin falling off I would freak. I was wondering if there were additional bits of info (that arent generally on care sheets) that I should know.

Can I use window screen? I keep reading about people using wire mesh and was wondering what the difference really was.

7) Can I house a baby Cham in a 2x2x4 cage, but section off part of it so its 2x2x2 and it will be happy? Yes, there is no need to section an area off, you can free range them from very young (like in the wild of course). It is easier to monitor their progress in a smaller space when young though......so just if she looks like she wants to get out and explore often then give her more room

I read that babies in a full cage can get lost and it will be difficult for them to find and catch food. Is this not true?

 

[carol5208]

Certain screening crickets can chew through. As far as the shedding, there is really not much you can do about it othen than mist your chameleon with warm water or put him on a plant in a warm shower to aid in the shedding process. You do not want to pull off any shed. Let it come off by itself, no matter how much it is driving you crazy! It isn't that they get lost but the food can hide if the cage is large. Some people prefer to cup feed at this stage. I always kept my chameleon in adult cage and let the food run wild in the cage and he never had trouble hunting it down. Once in awhile I would find a cricket that was hiding(as they tend to come out at night) and just remove those ones from the cage as they could bite on your chameleon while sleeping.

 

[DavidBuchan]

Thanks David, I don't have access to that page you linked me. Not sure why.

I read that babies in a full cage can get lost and it will be difficult for them to find and catch food. Is this not true?

That's happened to a couple of new members I sent that link too. I'll check about it.......
If there's enough food about they'll find it in a rainforest.......
Better to keep an eye on them (and how much they eat) really, so a small baby cage is better...

 

[Shimizoki]

Thanks to both of you.

Is there a way to tell if a cricket can chew through this screen? (Other than putting it in a box with crickets) What about other insects like Dubia Roaches?

If I find this screen is not acceptable than I might as well just buy the cage.