Why is 48" height better for adult male veiled?

[Ceycham]

Right now my guy is still pretty medium sized and I have him in a 36" high, 24" wide and 18" deep screen enclosure. Most recommended a 24x24x48 for the adult males to be comfortable in, but I needed the depth to be less and got the biggest I could find at an 18" depth. Looking at it and anticipating his growth, I can't understand why the height is really necessary. I actually worry more that the 24" width will cramp his style if anything. My guy really doesn't utilize the lower half of his 36" available vertical space at this point.

 

[Extensionofgreen]

As long as the enclosure is placed in an elevated position that allows the chameleon to be above eye level, the height is much less important than the left to right dimensions and front to back space. Male veileds are very active and will utilize as much space as they are given. Mine is in an 8' left to right enclosure and he actively paces all around the enclosure, several times per day.

 

[Ceycham]

wow, that's a lot of space! What's the height in your enclosure?

 

[Extensionofgreen]

About 6'.

 

[Ceycham]

Your chameleon must be in heaven with all that space. I'd like to go a little bigger but I do have some limitations to work within, and I'm limited also in what commercial brands are offering in size. Someday perhaps I'll make a custom build so I can work better within the dimensions I have space for. Ideally for me would be 48" high, 36-40" wide but still 18" deep.

 

[Extensionofgreen]

I adapted the portico bird aviary for my enclosure. It's a simple matter of stapling some polywall/screen/polyester film in place of the mesh it comes with. It's larger than your'e wanting, but you could use the flight and roost separately and you'd have 2 enclosures.

 

[Carlton]

Your chameleon must be in heaven with all that space. I'd like to go a little bigger but I do have some limitations to work within, and I'm limited also in what commercial brands are offering in size. Someday perhaps I'll make a custom build so I can work better within the dimensions I have space for. Ideally for me would be 48" high, 36-40" wide but still 18" deep.

Considering that one dimension is only 18", the extra height will give a lot more "living" space. None of my cages are less than 48" tall BTW.

 

[Ceycham]

Considering that one dimension is only 18", the extra height will give a lot more "living" space. None of my cages are less than 48" tall BTW.

I could go higher than 48, but I'd like to keep the bottom elevated off the floor 30 inches or so so the cats and dogs wandering by are less threatening, and i need to be able to reach the top, too