snitz427
Chameleon Enthusiast
I spent the weekend prepping the garden and outdoor enclosures for summer. Decided to “paint” it all black (w Vermont Naturals Poly Whey weather treatment). Behind the enclosures are green bean supports that create a privacy hedge for the chams. The trees will fill out soon and the foliage will be much denser. I think it looks great and you guys are probably the only ones who will appreciate it as much as I do!
We built the enclosures a few summers ago, when we still had 6 larger chams who could appreciate them. We built them in a way that the dividers could be removed to creat 8’x2x8’. Unfortunately, all but two of my larger chams have passed away. Thankfully all of old age, which I definitely attribute to lots of time outside. Charlie and Lola are my remaining “big guys,” although Lola was always a tiny little thing. Charlie is 6.5 and Lola just turned 6. I hope they enjoy their summer! I have a few smaller species but don’t leave them outside as they easily heat stress (also all seniors).
We built the runs out of 2x4s, with minimal cuts aside from the doors and horizontal reinforcements. We wrapped the enclosures in 4’ wide coated hardware cloth, trying to cover as much as possible in one piece for extra security. All 4 sides are covered with most seams overlapping. Every spring I need to tap in the staples or re-staple as they tend to back out slightly. Inside of the doors are overlapping pieces of wood to minimize cracks (where predators could enter) and to reinforce the doors). On top there is two layers of shade cloth, and 2 garden soaker hoses used to simulate rain (15 mins per day). The doors have bolt latches on inner corners to prevent predators from being able to press or pull at the doors. Thankfully, the only issue we’ve had are actually birds who (I am assuming) pinched and bruised Lola’s tail when let her tail’s tip wrap around the wire mesh and it looked like a worm. She’s fine and no longer pokes her tail out
They are anchored together, and to the garden beds behind and next to them. In extremely severe weather (tropical storms) we throw a ratchet strap over them and anchor to the ground. Their height and narrowness definitely require anchoring of some sort.
We built the enclosures a few summers ago, when we still had 6 larger chams who could appreciate them. We built them in a way that the dividers could be removed to creat 8’x2x8’. Unfortunately, all but two of my larger chams have passed away. Thankfully all of old age, which I definitely attribute to lots of time outside. Charlie and Lola are my remaining “big guys,” although Lola was always a tiny little thing. Charlie is 6.5 and Lola just turned 6. I hope they enjoy their summer! I have a few smaller species but don’t leave them outside as they easily heat stress (also all seniors).
We built the runs out of 2x4s, with minimal cuts aside from the doors and horizontal reinforcements. We wrapped the enclosures in 4’ wide coated hardware cloth, trying to cover as much as possible in one piece for extra security. All 4 sides are covered with most seams overlapping. Every spring I need to tap in the staples or re-staple as they tend to back out slightly. Inside of the doors are overlapping pieces of wood to minimize cracks (where predators could enter) and to reinforce the doors). On top there is two layers of shade cloth, and 2 garden soaker hoses used to simulate rain (15 mins per day). The doors have bolt latches on inner corners to prevent predators from being able to press or pull at the doors. Thankfully, the only issue we’ve had are actually birds who (I am assuming) pinched and bruised Lola’s tail when let her tail’s tip wrap around the wire mesh and it looked like a worm. She’s fine and no longer pokes her tail out
They are anchored together, and to the garden beds behind and next to them. In extremely severe weather (tropical storms) we throw a ratchet strap over them and anchor to the ground. Their height and narrowness definitely require anchoring of some sort.
