some definite consideration and one unsure considerations

[BleuSaphir]

So…I’m new here...I kept turtles and my collections of turtles has expanded over the years when I first started into the turtle husbandry and even now I want to expand my turtle collection, and many of you know it obvious that I’m new into the chameleon husbandry. I would like to consider keeping an Yemen chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) but I don’t plan on obtaining one yet but I am defiantly considering a Bearded Pygmy Chameleon and Usambara Pitted Pygmy Chameleon...in the future though. I have don’t have room for one the pygmy chameleon yet but I found more room if I just expand up and I have an 10 Gallon aquarium to spare room for Temporalis Pygmy Chameleon. Before that I have some concerns for accommodating the Yemen Chameleon…

I am concern with housing accommodations that I'm trying to offer. I found a possible suitable space for a Yemen Chameleon which is in my closet, although one point, I was considering to reutilized space in the closet for a 120 gallon aquarium when I found out I can fit a aquarium that size. But now I was thinking if 17” L X 24” W X 48” H enclosure will be possible to fit a male or a female Yemen chameleon comfortably, I know I'm 7" short for the length side but that why I'm asking about your opinion with the size I can offer, I'm quite unsure and uncomfortable with the idea accommodating a Yemen chameleon in that size, but if this cant happen I will dropped the idea and the consideration for having a Yemen chameleon altogether.

But for now my ultimate goal is to build an L shape enclosure to house multiple of species in their own separate enclosures and when that completed, I will use the 10 gallon as an Quarantine enclosure for Bearded Pygmy Chameleons as I only plan on buying one at a time (I’m hoping I can accommodate at least four or three Bearded Pygmy Chameleon in the future 24”LX24”WX24”H enclosure and a pair of Usambara Pitted Pygmy Chameleon in the 10 gallon tank) and then later use the 10 gallon as an Temporalis Pygmy Chameleon enclosure, then later consider the Yemen Chameleon.

And also I never plan on housing the Yemen Chameleon in the 120 gallon aquarium, I was one point considering to house an Pelomedusa Subrufa in the 120 gallon aquarium.

 

[glaceauz]

the pygmies should be alright in the 10 gal.
a 17x24x48 may work, but i'm no expert. i'd get a few more opinions
welcome to the forum!

 

[bradley]

thjat cage for a yemen should be ok but sorry i dont know much about pygmies

 

[BleuSaphir]

So, two people felt it’s fine, but I guess I take your advice...I will wait a little more to hear other opinions.

 

[jamncristian]

i think it would be fine with a female as they only need 18"l 18"w 36" but the bigger the better I say

i dont know about a male veiled though

 

[jamncristian]

you will also have to consider space for the feeder insects

 

[BleuSaphir]

I was considering to put the feeder insect enclosure in the garage.

 

[laurie]

I have an adult male veiled & yes the standard is 24x24x48 but that is just what most people do. I doubt he would lose sleep over a few missing inches. That said let me give you a few of my concerns. Chameleons need air flow and vents are not found in closets. Air flow is not a fan or anything blowing on the chameleon, it is fresh air in the room for lack of a better way to say it. You might also have water problems, that is most likely something you could work around. Heat from the lights required could be a factor. A chameleon needs a certain temperature range for each day time and a lower one for night time. I don't see how you could provide adequate lighting with out over heating or how you could drop the temperature at night. Those are just a few of the issues you would face.

 

[BleuSaphir]

I feel confident I could face the other obstacles you mention but I never though about the air flow issue but I know it not recommended to keep Yemen Chameleons in glass enclosure...but I could combat this issue by using a custom glass enclosure or I should make a DIY enclosure made out glass sheets or acrylic sheets with a screen top and put an plexiglass sheet acting as an faux “under-gravel filter” (or just use a under-gravel filter as a floor ) and cut a hole to fit a pipe and put the air pump under the sheet and connect the air tube to the pump and into the pipe and allowing the air to travel out the pipe. But my only concern is, where can I find a air pump allowing to pump out massive of air flow and is their such a air pump like that.

I Fear...If I dare of doing this combat could potentially offset combating the other issues,I think I should think about this more and go into drawing board and research more about how did keepers in Europe were able to keep chameleon in glass enclosure