what do you think of my set up

[Daver13]

So I've had my 2 males for a month now and I think I've finally got everything I wanted for them (got around to buying a humidifier yesterday) and I wanted to post a picture of my set up to see what everyone thinks and if anyone one has any suggestions or ideas on how to improve!

I built the cage on the left myself out of spruce lumber and window screen, and as you can see the trim on the outside isn't finished yet. For reference it's 3 ft tall 2 ft wide and 1.5 ft deep.

Ps. No they cannot see each other! The right side of the left cage is blocked. And I do want to get a mist king bit they're pricey and for now I'm happy to mist myself

 

[Daver13]

Ahhh not sure why the pic is upside down hopefully this one I'm posting now is the right way up

 

[SaintJimmy]

Once the chameleon is an adult you'll need a 4 feet tall, 2 feet deep, 2 feet wide cage. But for now I guess that one is fine.

You could actually just leave him in your custom cage but free range him throughout the day.

Also why are you painting the cage while he's in it? Not safe.

The vapors from the paint can hurt them (imagine breathing in new paint all day..) so it's very highly recommended for you to use low VOC paint and then to let the paint dry outside for a couple days before putting any cham in it.

 

[Daver13]

Once the chameleon is an adult you'll need a 4 feet tall, 2 feet deep, 2 feet wide cage. But for now I guess that one is fine.

You could actually just leave him in your custom cage but free range him throughout the day.

Also why are you painting the cage while he's in it? Not safe.

The vapors from the paint can hurt them (imagine breathing in new paint all day..) so it's very highly recommended for you to use low VOC paint and then to let the paint dry outside for a couple days before putting any cham in it.

I'm never said anything about paint? There's no paint on the cage

 

[SaintJimmy]

Ah sorry, in the picture it looks unfinished painting. You mentioned the trim not being done so I assumed you meant the trim paint.

Sorry!

Anyway, that size would be good, but it's trimming a couple feet off the minimum requirements of the panther adults/veiled adults. I'm not sure about your non-custom cage, but the custom one will eventually get too small unless you free range your panther when he wants out (is that a nosy be? can't ever be sure)

The non-custom cage looks like it is 4x2x2 but you can't ever be sure. 4 ft x 2 ft x 2 ft is fine, while the custom is a bit small.

Looks good though

 

[Daver13]

No worries! Just a misunderstanding. It's actually the sides of an unpainted door that I trimmed off on a table saw at work, took the pieces home and they worked perfectly (not actually trim bit figured that would be easiest way to explain quick)
And about the size the non Custom think it's about the same just a little taller and less wide. The breeder who I got them from sold me the one tank and said they would be a perfect size for them (they're a year and a year and a half old)
They do few range often but I need to build a legitimate free range set up where they will spend most of the day.
And yes its a nosy be, the other is an ambilobe

 

[Daver13]

I usually just take the plant out the cage and bring him with me on the plant to where I am in the house and he just does his own thing

 

[SaintJimmy]

Oh sweet seems like you know everything already then. I usually take mine out on a big ficus but recently it got these little black bug parasites on it, so I had to get rid of them by taking it outside, pruning all the dead stuff off the tree (over 70% of the tree was dead...) and then watering it this week and it has made almost a full comeback.

The tree was very bushy at first but then it almost died. Now it's got little baby leaves everywhere, it's really cute actually lol! (crazy lady calling leaves "cute")

But yeah, I love free ranging

 

[Daver13]

Do ficus grow nice and tall? I literally know nothing about plants and I need something big and tall with lots of branches that will be the center piece of my free range, I have some ideas floating around my head. I'm always concerned about if the plants are toxic to the Cham! I have an umbrella plant in one and a money plant in the other (did a lot of research on the two plants)

And it's not crazy the better the plant the happier the chameleon?
And how do you avoid parasites??

 

[Daver13]

Parasites on the plant that is! I know how to keep them off my chams haha

 

[SaintJimmy]

The plant parasites are just bugs really, they don't affect your cham, but just look for anything weird on the branches when you buy your plant.

Ficus are just "trees" really. Bushy, branchy trees. You will probably need to buy a ficus, a pot, some wheel things for the pot (I have an X shape wooden thing with wheels that goes under the pot) and a trimmer.

Trim the small branches off that are just in the way, and then leave it from there. Also give the ficus a good hose down before you put it in your room because usually there are spiders and bugs in the ones from the nursery...

Ficus get pretty tall, mine is around 7 feet with the pot and wheels in it.

 

[misshissingroaches]

Yes ficus grow very large, I have a 6 foot tall one on my front porch. I also love them for their natural quality of attracting humming birds to make nests on it. I have had many Humming bird eggs hatch on mine, One time ones with red necks hatched on it and we called them "Tiny Texans". XD

 

[Daver13]

OK great that sounds like what I'm looking for! Thanks for all the advice I appreciate it

 

[SaintJimmy]

OK great that sounds like what I'm looking for! Thanks for all the advice I appreciate it

No problem. Everyone on here is always willing to help out a fellow owner.

Ficus are perfect. Also, if you feel like having "hanging" pathways, buy long parrot ladders and get yourself some hanging pothos plants!

 

[nebmug]

looks good man