Cage questions?

[Colochameleon]

My daughter has a veiled chameleon about 3 months old and we are looking into purchasing a larger cage. We live in Colorado so there is very little humidity here. I have talked to a few different people and they have mixed responses. Some say go with glass like a zoo med terrarium and some say all mesh like the repti breeze. Not sure which kind would be better for him. He is currently in a small glass tank with a mesh top. Any info would be great!! Thanks.

 

[xephyr17]

Mesh is 100% the best option, in my opinion (and I'm sure many on here will agree). You can use a glass Viv but it doesn't get the best level of ventilation. How old is your daughter's cham? What size enclosure are you looking to get?

 

[Colochameleon]

About 3 months old. Maybe 18x18x36 mesh or 18x18x24 glass.

 

[xephyr17]

Then yes, I'd suggest the 18x18x36 mesh. Much better ventalation, easier to regulate the heat and humidity.

 

[Colochameleon]

Do you any problems keeping the humidity at a good level? We are so dry here about 20% most of the time. Do you have a mister or fogger to help with humidity?

 

[xephyr17]

Honestly I don't measure it, I just mist 3-5 times a day out of a squirt bottle. But soon I'm going to be setting up an automatic mister that should mist once very few hours...

There are plenty of people who do measure, however, and it seems that it isn't bad in an enclosure that's mesh.

 

[ChiefRedman]

I would go with a aluminum screen cage just because the mesh can melt under the heat of a bulb. I attached a link below of cage the size you was looking for, they also sell drip trays for easy clean up


As for the humidity, A veiled can handle lower humidity levels not as low as 20% but still low. Your best bet is to get a digital gauge to read it and go from there, measure right after misting as well as when it is dry. If you can be there to hand mist 3-5 times a day then that should be fine, also Live plants also help raise the humidity levels inside the cage as well. If you cant be there to hand mist, you can use a cool mist humidifier to help raise the levels.

http://www.lllreptile.com/products/1271-18-x-18-x-36-inch-aluminum-screen-cage-3

 

[xephyr17]

...live plants also help raise the humidity levels inside the cage as well. ...

I agree with Chief, sorry I forgot to mention.

I use pothos, 2 types of colius plants and pilea plants in my enclosures for my 2 chameleons. They like to munch on them and they get very well hydrated from that. They also hold a great amount of moisture so as to keep up the humidity in the area.

 

[jrath]

here's where I get my reptibreeze cages from
http://www.pet-dog-cat-supply-store.com/shop/index.php?page=shop-flypage-32028