Too much Plant?

[gpmo]

Hi all,

We recently rescued our first veiled chameleon and are working on the best enclosure possible. Today we set up a 29x29x48 screen enclosure with a new hibiscus tree and pothos plant. Here are some pictures of his temporary enclosure and the new one. The new one doesn't have any of his vines etc. in it as he is sleeping and we don't want to disturb him. The new enclosure will have the vines from his old enclosure and perhaps some of the fake plants.

Let us know if the hibiscus is going to be too much Thanks for any and all critiques

Paul and Stacy

 

[Texas Panther Man]

It would be ok if you trim the top of the hib. He needs some areas on top to bask and move around. It would be nice if you wrapped some grape vines around the plant so he could have a kind of spiral staircase up to the top.

 

[gpmo]

Thanks for the input any other critiques?

Paul and Stacy

 

[ColorCham427]

I would raise the pothos, I personally don't or atleast try not to have any plants that low to the floor. Makes it easier for spot cleaning and such.

The plant is fine, as long as you can keep the lights from being 6-8 inches close.

Keep the UVB fixture on the side where the Hib's branches aren't too close to.

Keep a basking heat lamp 6-8 inches above the cage, so those branches on top can be his/her basking perch.

The more plants the better, but, the more plants the more looking for poop and ... etc...

As your chameleon ages, it's hands and nails get bigger and thicker. Try zip-tying some fiberglass mesh on the sides, so he/she can get a better grip.

That log on the floor doesn't have to be there, it actually is probably a waste since your chameleon probably won't be spending much time on the bottom... Keep it if you think it looks good.

 

[boj3434]

I think it looks great as is but an upgrade never hurts

 

[kpritch17]

I think once you get the vines from the old cage to the new one it will be great! he will have plenty of places to bask on the vines and can go into the hibiscus as well. My chameleon loves going into his schefflera and then popping his head back thru the canopy effect it has with all of its leaves at one level.

Did you make the cage?? It looks great!

 

[jessica]

I think it looks great!!

Like mentioned before I would trim the hibiscus so he has a clear basking area, add his horizontal brancehes and vines and he will be in heaven!!

 

[gpmo]

Thanks for all the wonderful insight. Tomorrow morning there is going to be some trimming done and using some of the vines/ branches from the old enclosure to make a good basking spot and a path around the outside area. The lighting ballast sitting above the enclosure is exactly 8" from the top of the cage. Maybe i should lower it to about 6". Though atm it isn't doing us much good as we don't have a 48" UVB bulb yet...maybe by Friday ( we do have a UVB 5.0 ).


Now just need to get the mistking set up and a proper draining system. I really hope he likes his new enclosure, little guy deserves a proper home.

 

[Texas Panther Man]

Glad to see your taking him in

 

[gpmo]

Hi again all,
Our little man is all set up in his Cham mansion we thought a progression of cages would be fun to post, we still welcome any ideas regarding the big cage!

the first pic is the terrarium he lived in prior to us
the second pic is his new cage
the third is his first meal in new cage

Thanks again all

Paul and Stacy

P.S. we still need a name for him if anyone has any suggestions