veiled cage dimesions requirements

[ijmccollum]

Sorry, this is a silly question that given the time and energy I could probably ferret out myself but....I do not have the time or energy right now -- so please forgive me in advance.

I am considering bringing a male, adult -- ~1yr -- veiled, home to a forever home. I am wondering about the cage size I should be considering at this time, and also...... his casque is starting to lean to one side.

If I decide to take on this guy I would like to get the husbandry spot on the day he comes in. I don't want to over-supplement and am wondering if given proper husbandry if the casque will begin to straighten it self. Sorry, I have no picture. I just noticed while he was out today that the casque was ever slightly lilthing to one side.

I will be going with the all screened enclosure since exoterra and zoomed do not make enclosures adaquately vertical.

And yes, this is a pet store animal.

 

[Carlton]

I am wondering about the cage size I should be considering at this time, and also...... his casque is starting to lean to one side.

If I decide to take on this guy I would like to get the husbandry spot on the day he comes in. I don't want to over-supplement and am wondering if given proper husbandry if the casque will begin to straighten it self. Sorry, I have no picture. I just noticed while he was out today that the casque was ever slightly lilthing to one side.

I will be going with the all screened enclosure since exoterra and zoomed do not make enclosures adaquately vertical.

And yes, this is a pet store animal.

Some males' casques do bend or twist a little. It might not straighten out as it might be genetic or simply individual variation under less than perfect conditions. But if it is MBD you can easily keep it from getting worse.

I would keep a male veiled in something at least 4' tall, 24" on a side. Some people keep them in smaller cages but I like larger ones. I can fit nice bushy plants in a larger cage without hacking them up and the range of temps and humidity is greater. I'd rather watch one roam more in a larger space too.

You can use an ordinary house light bulb for basking and a ReptiSun 5.0 linear tube light for UV. Some compact fluorescent coil bulbs are not safe for chams based on their manufactur date. The linears are fine.

Have fun!

Have you seen the thread "Raising Kitty the Veiled Chameleon" on this forum? A great reference that will tell you more completely what I would. Its been a few years since I worked with veileds and the supplement schedule has changed over time.

 

[Brad Ramsey]

I agree with Carlton.
Here is some info (including the "Kitty" site):

https://www.chameleonforums.com/basic-husbandry-38769/

The casque will probably always be the way it is and this is somewhat normal, they are all a little different.

I keep big chameleons in 2x2x4 enclosures and male veileds are included in that group, I really think you could get away with 2x2x3 but you'd have to position it high enough for him to feel comfortable and if you're using up a 2x2 footprint anyway, why not go for the 4 foot height.

-Brad

 

[ijmccollum]

Thanks for replying. Yes, I was just reading "raising Kitty". I was thinking of starting with 18x18x36 but saw there is a 24x24x48 just as reasonably priced. So, as an aside Q, silver or black for viewing and humidity aging?

Jeeesh, and I was just getting the hubbie warmed up to the idea of pygs.

Some day, I will have a herd -- a mighty herd, hear me roar, maybe buzz.

Realestate and utilities, the bane of wanna be private arks.

 

[Brad Ramsey]

The color should be chosen based on your preference.
I find the visibility to be comparable with black or silver.
What matches the room better?

-Brad

 

[ijmccollum]

Okay, have ordered 2x2x4 from DIY. There should be plenty of room for the rep, now just need to find space in the house. My husband rarely notices anything new but I don't think he is going to miss this.

Any tips on this housing welcomed. Sure a 5.0 will be good enough, and what wattage is recommended for basking. There is going to be one huge temp gradient. Good thing I purchased a digital thermometer. Of course all lighting will be outside the screen.

 

[laurie]

It sound like you are on the way. a nice ficus or umbrella plant some good sticks and you will be set.

 

[Cham101]

your on the right track

2x2x4 is perfect in my opinion for a male. a casque leaning is more genetic I think. mabe someone else knows better...

 

[Cham101]

lighting

Personally I use a 10.0 UVB and I also use a 100watt basking light. My chameleons like about a 95 degree basking temp with a temperature gradient going to about 78-80 or so..

 

[ijmccollum]

I see "Mesquite" on your location. I am assuming that is S/SW. What is your general climate?

 

[Cham101]

Texas

we are usually at least 50% humidity and it is the wonderful texas heat.. i like to take them outside in the summer but you have to watch d-3 levels as if you take them outside with high d-3 levels it can cause kidney failure and death... But natural sunlight is best...

 

[Rosie42892]

Any tips on this housing welcomed. Sure a 5.0 will be good enough, and what wattage is recommended for basking. There is going to be one huge temp gradient. Good thing I purchased a digital thermometer. Of course all lighting will be outside the screen.

The ReptiSun 5.0 is safe and not too much for your enclosure, I would recommend that. Also, I have a similar sized enclosure and a 60Watt regular household bulb provides the perfect temperatures, not too hot, which is the problem with most commercial basking lights. Good luck!

 

[ijmccollum]

we are usually at least 50% humidity and it is the wonderful texas heat.. i like to take them outside in the summer but you have to watch d-3 levels as if you take them outside with high d-3 levels it can cause kidney failure and death... But natural sunlight is best...

Thought that might be TX. My folks used to live in Victoria. The humidity is nice, heat though....it gets hot!

Thanks for the reminder that D3 is a replacement/supplement to the real thing....and we don't want to overdo a vital physiological requirement.

 

[ijmccollum]

The ReptiSun 5.0 is safe and not too much for your enclosure, I would recommend that. Also, I have a similar sized enclosure and a 60Watt regular household bulb provides the perfect temperatures, not too hot, which is the problem with most commercial basking lights. Good luck!

That's good to hear, I thought the penetration depth would be a problem but I guess it is more a product of canopy vs desert UVB out-put. And, wow, I would have never thought a 60 watt would do the trick -- what would be the recommended basking distance?

 

[Rosie42892]

That's good to hear, I thought the penetration depth would be a problem but I guess it is more a product of canopy vs desert UVB out-put. And, wow, I would have never thought a 60 watt would do the trick -- what would be the recommended basking distance?

The temperature 6 Inches away from the bulb fluctuates between 80 and 85 Degrees F. The commercial basking bulbs I had purchased (100watt and 60 watt) sent my temps SOARING sometimes up to almost 100Degrees. Yikes! Then I searched some forums, took the advice, and my little panther is happier then ever. Gotta love this site!

 

[ijmccollum]

The temperature 6 Inches away from the bulb fluctuates between 80 and 85 Degrees F. The commercial basking bulbs I had purchased (100watt and 60 watt) sent my temps SOARING sometimes up to almost 100Degrees. Yikes! Then I searched some forums, took the advice, and my little panther is happier then ever. Gotta love this site!

Thanks Rosie, I will take that advice to heart. I am usually stocked up on 60 watt for everyone else so that makes things easier.

 

[ijmccollum]

bummers, I was unable to secure the veiled this weekend. Oh, well, I still have a cage and he is still there.

 

[Cham101]

veileds like a hotter temp than a panther will.. I have my basking spots around 95 degrees with a 100w basking bulb. then plenty of linear fluorescents also