Building outdoor habitat

[Jakemahady]

I live in Southern California in the northern county of San Diego in a city called Vista. The average temperature here is mid 70's but desert like climate. I was wondering how possible it would be for me to build an outdoor habitat that could house one maybe two jacksons chameleons. the cage would probably be 5x6x5 so pretty large and also it would be built around a good sized tree. Let me know if and how this can be done and the supplies needed! Thank you!

 

[Extensionofgreen]

It can be done. Utilize a food safe, outdoor hose, on a timer or a carefully places and protected mist system, to provide humidity. As far as materials, you could use many things, but id personally use the green, vinyl coated wire, for safety, durability, and it's kindness to chameleon feet. As for the frame, I'd use PVC, composit decking, or rot resistant, but untreated lumber. Lumber will last 5+ years, in many cases, especially if not in contact with the ground, but it's not permanent. Use galvanized screws or better yet, stainless, though I think the risk of galvanized screws is minimal, since the animals aren't drinking water from the screws.

 

[Virgil1972]

You could also get a cheap humidifier to put in the cage to help keep it humid. You don't want your cham getting to dry.

 

[Chamifornia]

I live in Encinitas and keep my panther in my yard during summer, which actually gets quite hot sometimes. I was running a mistking but changed to an outdoor misting setup through my hose and has a timer. I would suggest doing a planter box with lots of foliage so it stays moist on the bottom. It gets hotter in Vista so definitely mist a lot and you should be good.