Caging varies. My CB was in a 2'x2'x3' for the first 1.5-2 years. I had an extra cage, so I pulled the sides off, and stuck them together. He was perfectly happy in it - 2'x4'x3' high. Never climbed on the sides, never a worn toenail.
They seem to get "roamy" if left isolated, I think. When they're in that "seach" mode(males especially), it seems no cage can contain them*. I never had problems, but mine were all within visual range of other chameleons. Judging by the way melleri will travel (if given the chance) to be near people, I would say there's evidence to support the idea. Bigger is better, and fool-proof, but a 260 gallon reptarium should be perfectly fine.
WC adults have a lot of parasites - they're potentially old animals, probably, older than any other WC chameleons imported nowadays. They need lots of water. If the animals come in to the US and quickly get into a good hydration/feeding treatment, they do so much better. Let them sit for weeks at a dealer's place, and you'll be lucky if you get the 90 days out of them! It's not that melleri are so hard to care for, or delicate - their biology doesnt' agree with the stresses of importation very well.
and then you have the potential "filiarial worm insta-death" problem... which is a huge reason that WC melleri are best used for breeding purposes, not pets.
*My male deremensis was like this at 2 years - climbed EVERYWHERE, his feet were bloody from the hardware cloth. As soon as I stuck a female in the room - it stopped. Never happened again with all my males. Always had females in sight.
Terrance has grown up great! I've got a couple of CH Meller's from Mike and I just love 'em. They're growing so fast now it's astonishing. Both are more than willing to handfeed and eat everything in sight! How's Terrance's temperament?
