We recently got a panther chameleon and we have a screened cage at the moment that is hovering on the lower end of the humidity scale. I have implemented a fogging system, but obviously the screen is not helping hold that in. I think I'm going to partially cover the three sides, leaving the bottom 6 inches open, and the entire front. I'm also considering putting an under cage style heater pad on the tray of the enclosure. My thought is that I can place it under the live plant that I have inside and it will slowly warm up the soil (which has the dripper consistently watering). I figure this should help increase humidity, maybe add a very slight amount of warmth, and help the plant from becoming too waterlogged. Also, I have created a tray on the bottom of the enclosure so it will hold water and prevent it from draining onto anything else, instead of just the sheet of plastic that was included. Has anyone done this style heater or have any other thoughts? Thanks.
Under Cage Heater to Increase Humidity - and heat.
- Thread starter dougs280z
- Start date
nightanole
Chameleon Enthusiast
The pull and peel stick on ones are VERY hot and need to be mounted to something, even if you just go to the hardware store and buy 1 sqft of aluminum for it to stick to.
Honestly its not going to do much unless the top of the cage is sealed, then you might get a humidity "bubble" that ends where ever the covering ends. However if you just have openings on the bottom and top and covered sides, congrats you just made a food dehydrator. Its not going to increase humidity in the cage as long as confection occurs, it will just increase the humidity in the entire room a few percent.
You are better off covering 2-3 sides, and popping in live plants and misting several times a day(letting it dry out between mistings to prevent mold/rot).
Honestly its not going to do much unless the top of the cage is sealed, then you might get a humidity "bubble" that ends where ever the covering ends. However if you just have openings on the bottom and top and covered sides, congrats you just made a food dehydrator. Its not going to increase humidity in the cage as long as confection occurs, it will just increase the humidity in the entire room a few percent.
You are better off covering 2-3 sides, and popping in live plants and misting several times a day(letting it dry out between mistings to prevent mold/rot).
If you cover the sides you don't need to leave the bottom potion open as long as you leave the front open. It will be enough to draw fresh air in and up.
If you have enough live plants they will transpire during the day releasing humidity. The cool of the late night is when you need the highest humidity boost. I would run your humidifier midnight to 5am or so.
I'm afraid you will cook the roots of your plants with your system and the heat may draw your chameleon down and away from the UVB light. He will also need a place to cook down between bas kings and the heated area may prevent that.
Check out this pod cast. http://www.chameleonbreeder.com/podcast/ep9-chameleons-and-water/ and this one
http://www.chameleonbreeder.com/podcast/ep-89-naturalistic-hydration-for-chameleons/
If you have enough live plants they will transpire during the day releasing humidity. The cool of the late night is when you need the highest humidity boost. I would run your humidifier midnight to 5am or so.
I'm afraid you will cook the roots of your plants with your system and the heat may draw your chameleon down and away from the UVB light. He will also need a place to cook down between bas kings and the heated area may prevent that.
Check out this pod cast. http://www.chameleonbreeder.com/podcast/ep9-chameleons-and-water/ and this one
http://www.chameleonbreeder.com/podcast/ep-89-naturalistic-hydration-for-chameleons/
