Worried about friend's cham (or it's home)

[Signore]

Hi!

Today I went to a friend's house and for my surprise he had bought a chameleon. This is his first reptile (and pet) and I'm a bit concerned about his cham's terrarium. Instead of a tall one, he decided that width is the factor that matters and as you can see from the pic below, the cham can't climb very high. I've had two veiled chameleons myself and think they wouldn't had last very long in this kind of enclosure. I gave him a couple of advices about what I would change if I was him and now I'd like to hear your opinion. Let's help the poor cham (that looked quite stressed in it's new home, although, that doesn't necessarily tell anything about the housing.)

 

[Monkeykungphu]

you should tell him to join this forum & see how most people are keeping their chameleons. The majority have at least two screened sides on their enclosures. More people in europe seemed to have less screen, not sure where you're located...

In any case, you definately want it taller than wider as they do like to climb! Good luck with your friend!

 

[VeiledOwner87]

the chameleon (by the looks of it, looks like a veiled) and looks like a juvy still. and by the size, the cage should suffice for a month or so. where do you guys live? im worried there isnt enough ventilation, but i cannot see the top of the cage. he does look like he has enough height to climb for a little bit longer, but above all, he should raise the cage higher off the ground. the cause of stress would deffinatly be from the travel of a stressfull pet store into a new home. your friend may not be leaving him alone enough either for the new guy to get adjusted. do us a favor and check his temps, make sure they are not to hot, and make sure he is being given all the water and food he can take.
like the other poster said, encourage him to join the forums to see how we house or chameleons, as well, im sure for many reasons, we would all love to see pics!

 

[benpaul]

ewwww

Needs screen sides and more importantly in the imediate future imho get rid of the substrate. will cause impaction

 

[VeiledOwner87]

not neccesaraly benpaul.

 

[kinyonga]

I would remove the substrate to be safe.

What is the UVB light being used? I don't like that the light is inside the cage. Is the top of the cage screen?