veiled chameleon enclosure

Hi guys! I have a veiled chameleon that I got from the pet store on September 3rd i'm not exactly sure how old he is but i'm going to be measuring him tomorrow. When i first got him i must admit i wasn't educated on what i should get him. He is in a glass enclosure at the moment with a screen top and he has some bendy vines and fake plastic leaves. i don't have the money to get him a bigger cage but im soon hoping to get him an 18 x 18 x 36 all mesh enclosure and getting some pothos plants and branches in there. Im also trying to make a DIY timed mister? if thats possible. But i must admit i didn't know that there wasn't supposed to be substrate on the bottom of his enclosure so tomorrow morning before i feed him, i will be taking out anything at the bottom of his enclosure like dirt... although i am a little scared he might fall.... could i put the reptile carpet at the bottom?? and is an 18 x 18 x 36 enclosure going to be big enough for him?

Btw thats a close up pic i got of him catching a cricket!
 

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Hi and welcome! :) Adult veileds need at least a 2x2x4’ enclosure. The males especially need and use all of that space. It is possible to make your own mister, but I have no idea how. @Klyde O'Scope may be able to guide you on that.
Since you’re brand new, I’d like to ask if I could see some more pics of your chameleon as well as your entire enclosure, including lights. There’s so very much bad information out there about keeping chameleons and some pics will help show if you need some good advice/help or not.
 
Hi guys! I have a veiled chameleon that I got from the pet store on September 3rd i'm not exactly sure how old he is but i'm going to be measuring him tomorrow. When i first got him i must admit i wasn't educated on what i should get him.
You can find lists of what you'll need for him at https://caskabove.com/

You can find just about everything else you'll need to know in the Husbandry Program on https://chameleonacademy.com/

He is in a glass enclosure at the moment with a screen top and he has some bendy vines and fake plastic leaves. i don't have the money to get him a bigger cage but im soon hoping to get him an 18 x 18 x 36 all mesh enclosure and getting some pothos plants and branches in there.
An adult veiled chameleon should have a minimum 24" x 24" x 48"H enclosure. 18" x 18" x 36" is too small. Some keepers & mfrs. are now gravitating toward 48" x 24" x 48" as ideal.

They're born with all the skills they need to survive, so they can go right into an adult-size enclosure from Day 1.
https://chameleonacademy.com/veiled-chameleon-care/

Im also trying to make a DIY timed mister? if thats possible.
It's possible. There are several threads in the archives on DIY misters.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/search/1499108/?q=diy+mister&c[title_only]=1&o=relevance

I try to encourage everyone to make use of the archives (Search facility). Then if there are any questions or you're unsure of anything, go ahead and ask. :)

But i must admit i didn't know that there wasn't supposed to be substrate on the bottom of his enclosure so tomorrow morning before i feed him, i will be taking out anything at the bottom of his enclosure like dirt... although i am a little scared he might fall.... could i put the reptile carpet at the bottom?? and is an 18 x 18 x 36 enclosure going to be big enough for him?
Reptile carpet is not recommended as it can harbor mold, mildew, fungi, and bacteria. The two recommended types of substrate are full-bioactive, or nothing.

He probably will fall at some point (mine slipped off of a wet leaf the other day), and may get/seem stunned for a few minutes, but these animals live in trees; they're built to take falls from much higher than 3-4 feet, and some will jump as a defensive tactic. Also, most enclosure floors have much more give to them than you might think.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/chameleon-fall.14071/

With any kind of automatic mister, you'll also need some sort of drainage system to carry off the excess water. There's a thread devoted to drainage systems here:
Drainage Systems for Cages - get creative!
 
Hi and welcome! :) Adult veileds need at least a 2x2x4’ enclosure. The males especially need and use all of that space. It is possible to make your own mister, but I have no idea how. @Klyde O'Scope may be able to guide you on that.
Since you’re brand new, I’d like to ask if I could see some more pics of your chameleon as well as your entire enclosure, including lights. There’s so very much bad information out there about keeping chameleons and some pics will help show if you need some good advice/help or not.
5EE68241-0C66-4A44-84A8-0EDDDF278C4F.jpeg

567A1691-3373-49CA-9E27-A223E14606A7.jpeg

These are some pictures of his cage and the lights he has the uvb and heat lighting kit.
You can find lists of what you'll need for him at https://caskabove.com/
I found the link on amazon for the bigger enclosure so i will be ordering that, thank you.
You can find just about everything else you'll need to know in the Husbandry Program on https://chameleonacademy.com/
Okay thank you
An adult veiled chameleon should have a minimum 24" x 24" x 48"H enclosure. 18" x 18" x 36" is too small. Some keepers & mfrs. are now gravitating toward 48" x 24" x 48" as ideal.

They're born with all the skills they need to survive, so they can go right into an adult-size enclosure from Day 1.
https://chameleonacademy.com/veiled-chameleon-care/


It's possible. There are several threads in the archives on DIY misters.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/search/1499108/?q=diy+mister&c[title_only]=1&o=relevance

I try to encourage everyone to make use of the archives (Search facility). Then if there are any questions or you're unsure of anything, go ahead and ask. :)


Reptile carpet is not recommended as it can harbor mold, mildew, fungi, and bacteria. The two recommended types of substrate are full-bioactive, or nothing.
How could i make a full bioactive bottom for him? would i have to buy it?
He probably will fall at some point (mine slipped off of a wet leaf the other day), and may get/seem stunned for a few minutes, but these animals live in trees; they're built to take falls from much higher than 3-4 feet, and some will jump as a defensive tactic. Also, most enclosure floors have much more give to them than you might think.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/chameleon-fall.14071/

With any kind of automatic mister, you'll also need some sort of drainage system to carry off the excess water. There's a thread devoted to drainage systems here:
Drainage Systems for Cages - get creative!

Hi and welcome! :) Adult veileds need at least a 2x2x4’ enclosure. The males especially need and use all of that space. It is possible to make your own mister, but I have no idea how. @Klyde O'Scope may be able to guide you on that.
Since you’re brand new, I’d like to ask if I could see some more pics of your chameleon as well as your entire enclosure, including lights. There’s so very much bad information out there about keeping chameleons and some pics will help show if you need some good advice/help or not.

Thank you guys very much for helping me out! I will be making sure to get him the bigger enclosure and removing any substrate he has at the bottom of his cage, as well as looking into making my own mister with the drainage system.
 
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Hi and welcome. I just want to say that the light kit by zoomed isn’t the right uvb for chams. The heat light is ok but the uvb is a compact bulb and the uvb doesn’t reach more than 2-3 inches beyond the bulb therefor it doesn’t reach the Cham. What you need is a T5ho fixture with either a reptisun 5.0 or arcadia6% bulb and that’s a long linear bulb, not a short compact one. You should buy one that will span the width of your new enclosure, so at least a 24 inch T5ho fixture with a 22 inch bulb. There are other issues with your chams enclosure but since I’m not a veiled keeper ll let the others address them with you.
 
I don't do bioctive, but again, there's a lot about it in the archives and on YouTube.

I was also going to mention the UVB bulb, but Lindasjackson got to the Post Reply button before I did. :)
 
Hi and welcome. I just want to say that the light kit by zoomed isn’t the right uvb for chams. The heat light is ok but the uvb is a compact bulb and the uvb doesn’t reach more than 2-3 inches beyond the bulb therefor it doesn’t reach the Cham. What you need is a T5ho fixture with either a reptisun 5.0 or arcadia6% bulb and that’s a long linear bulb, not a short compact one. You should buy one that will span the width of your new enclosure, so at least a 24 inch T5ho fixture with a 22 inch bulb. There are other issues with your chams enclosure but since I’m not a veiled keeper ll let the others address them with you.
Oh okay thank you! His enclosure will be so much better with all your guys help!
 
Thanks for posting the pics. I’m a bit concerned about your current enclosure as it doesn’t appear to have any side doors. Is it an aquarium size tank or one specifically for reptiles? The problem with aquariums is that they lack adequate air circulation. Glass reptile enclosures have vents along the bottom which move air thru the chimney effect. Poor air circulation, basking heat and humidity is a recipe for bacterial growth and respiratory infections. If you aren’t able to upgrade his enclosure just yet, you’ll want to add a muffin type fan to the top to help air circulation, drawing the air out. You’ll also need to keep a very close eye on temps, making sure it doesn’t exceed 80-84 and humidity remains between 30-50%. Rather than go over every bit of husbandry, I want you to read thru all of this. https://chameleonacademy.com/chameleon-husbandry-program-getting-started-with-chameleons/
You could also check out Neptune the chameleon on YouTube. As you have already seen, this is an awesome community that will help you to get things just right for your guy. We all started as beginners. :)
 
Thanks for posting the pics. I’m a bit concerned about your current enclosure as it doesn’t appear to have any side doors.
the enclosure has a door right in the front that opens up, and the top is mesh. Under the door there are a bunch of little holes.
Is it an aquarium size tank or one specifically for reptiles? The problem with aquariums is that they lack adequate air circulation. Glass reptile enclosures have vents along the bottom which move air thru the chimney effect. Poor air circulation, basking heat and humidity is a recipe for bacterial growth and respiratory infections. If you aren’t able to upgrade his enclosure just yet, you’ll want to add a muffin type fan to the top to help air circulation, drawing the air out. You’ll also need to keep a very close eye on temps, making sure it doesn’t exceed 80-84 and humidity remains between 30-50%.
Okay i’ll keep a close eye until we upgrade his enclosure.
Rather than go over every bit of husbandry, I want you to read thru all of this. https://chameleonacademy.com/chameleon-husbandry-program-getting-started-with-chameleons/
Will do.
You could also check out Neptune the chameleon on YouTube. As you have already seen, this is an awesome community that will help you to get things just right for your guy. We all started as beginners. :)
I have heard about Neptune the Chameleon, it’s time i start watching it.😂
Thank you again for helping Rango and I!
 
Could I get some suggestions on my enclosure if possible.
 

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Could I get some suggestions on my enclosure if possible.
It looks pretty good from here. 🤓 I just skimmed through your other thread:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/just-wondering-if-my-enclosure-is-good-enough.184416/

It doesn't appear you've done a full review (unless I missed it). :unsure:
Just copy/paste the questions from: https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/how-to-ask-for-help.66/
with your answers filled in, and pics of the enclosure showing the lighting on down to drainage.
You can add it to your other thread (above).
 
It looks pretty good to me….except for the fogging during lights on and I don’t see a lay bin. To help prevent respiratory infection, you should be fogging only at night and only if your temps get below at least 70f. Your pretty girl has her colors, so is old enough to lay eggs. To keep things as easy as possible for both you and her, it’s best to keep her lay bin as a permanent part of her enclosure.
 
It looks pretty good to me….except for the fogging during lights on and I don’t see a lay bin. To help prevent respiratory infection, you should be fogging only at night and only if your temps get below at least 70f. Your pretty girl has her colors, so is old enough to lay eggs. To keep things as easy as possible for both you and her, it’s best to keep her lay bin as a permanent part of her enclosure.
Should i keep the laying in bin in her Cage for ever I normally add it in there when i see shes about to lay.
 
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