Cage for Optimal Viewing

[johnzie]

Hi Everybody,

I'm John, first post after 6 months of lurking. I'd like to design/build a cage with some clear visual access - either open or glass/plexiglass. Of course, this spawns the usual questions. I'm housing a male panther, 8 or 9 months old, currently in a 48" X 24" X 20" reptarium w/combination live and artificial plants and ReptiSun 10.0. But I just hate looking through the black nylon, not to mention the wobbliness of the Reptarium. It's functional, just not the best way to keep and observe a chameleon. So, in thinking of a new habitat, i have several questions for those of you with much more time behind the wheel than me:

1) Are the size requirements exaggerated? From my observation, my Panther only spends time in about 50% of the reptarium, granted he's only half grown, but I think they're more couch potatoes than tri-athletes. Isn't a 36" X 24" X 20" plenty for a single male.

2) Can they jump? I doubt it. If I design a cage with open window(s). Is there an escape risk? Obviously the walls around the window would have to be smooth. If that's a bad idea, what about small glass or plexiglass panels for viewing? Is there a clear material that is non-reflective on one side (inside)?

3) Has anyone tried the hamster/rabbit type water bottles? I think if you replace the ball bearing with a smaller size it may work. Maybe stick a leaf/vine around it to disguise it!?

4) Has anyone tried securing a reptarium to a solid frame? How'd that work?

5) My bulb is about 6 months old, should I replace it or is there an inexpensive way to check the UV output. I've heard 5.0's diminish significantly after 6 months.

6) I'm using incandescent for heat, would ceramic be better.


Thanks!

John
1.0 Fucifer Pardalis
1.2 Python reticulatus
1.0 Tupinambis merianae
0.1 German Shepherd

 

[Leilaskeeper]

Just with regards to reflection in plexi, or glass for that matter. Many people use glass enclosures and keep their chameleons in them successfully. I personally don't see my chameleon looking at the glass at her reflection at all. There's nothing wrong with plexi or glass.

 

[yoza717]

To answer you Question about jumping....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eChlwHqJUA

As far as my Panthers go, they use up all of their 24x24x48. Yes, 90% of the time they are in the top area of the cage basking, but they do like to motor around checking out their territory.

 

[eppcheck]

To answer you Question about jumping....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eChlwHqJUA

As far as my Panthers go, they use up all of their 24x24x48. Yes, 90% of the time they are in the top area of the cage basking, but they do like to motor around checking out their territory.

I use the same enclosure and my chams also uses the majority of it. She also stays at the top 90% of cage most of time too. My logic and personal opinion as to why larger is better is because having the extra room makes them feel more comfortable (less stressed) We all know stress is a variable in a chams health and I feel it should be recommended, but not required, to keep them healthy. It's just their natural instinct to avoid danger by staying at a higher level (notice when handling they typically try to get higher). Having that larger enclosure provides them the ability to move to a higher point where they feel safe and keeps stess levels down.

I think the 4 feet look down from the chams point of view makes him feel like no predators can get him.

Either way your 3 feet should be fine but maybe you can post him up on something that will make him feel higher.


Cool link to the jumping jackson. I've never seen that before.