Cage size for multiple Veilled ;)

[MarcS74]

Hello,
I'm a Corn snake guy, doesn't mean that's all I keep, but mainly that's what I keep. But I've always liked veiled Chams. I found a trio 1.2 baby veilled chams, they will be coming home in a week or so. I would like to house them together. So I will build an enclosure.
How big ( tall ) those the enclosure need to be to ensure good health of my 3 new babies?

Thanks

 

[cricketkilla]

Hello,
I'm a Corn snake guy, doesn't mean that's all I keep, but mainly that's what I keep. But I've always liked veiled Chams. I found a trio 1.2 baby veilled chams, they will be coming home in a week or so. I would like to house them together. So I will build an enclosure.
How big ( tall ) those the enclosure need to be to ensure good health of my 3 new babies?

Thanks

Chameleons are extremely territorial and HAVE to be housed separately to avoid injury or death. You even need to keep them from visual seeing each other to avoid to much stress. Whatever you decide, DO NOT HOUSE THEM TOGETHER. They can die from stress without showing physical symptoms.

 

[absolutbill]

It is strongly recommended that you not house veileds together. They can stay together as babies, until about 3 months of age, or when you start seeing aggressive behavior, but at that point they should be separated, not only in different cages, but also visually so they can't see each other. They can start off in 18x18x36 cages when you first separate them, but at about 6 months of age (depending on rate of growth) you'll need to up them to 24x24x48 cages. Best of luck with your new little ones and welcome to the forum - you'll find a ton of information here. Jann B has a great blog to look at to answer any other questions you may have!

 

[shaunaroxanne]

Hello,
I'm a Corn snake guy, doesn't mean that's all I keep, but mainly that's what I keep. But I've always liked veiled Chams. I found a trio 1.2 baby veilled chams, they will be coming home in a week or so. I would like to house them together. So I will build an enclosure.
How big ( tall ) those the enclosure need to be to ensure good health of my 3 new babies?

Thanks

They shouldn't be together after they are a few months old. They are solitary animals, and they will fight and/or stress. Many have tried.

 

[justjumpit621]

Veileds are one of the more territorial chameleons and should not be housed together. Some chameleons like pygmys or parsons can, but veileds will most likely kill each other. If not, they will rapidly produce eggs, whether fertile or not and the stress and calcium deficiency from that alone can kill the females.

 

[Jac1582]

Years ago when I got my first chams I housed them together and they were fine for the first month. Until the one wouldn't let the other go down to catch crickets. I separated them and they were fine. But I'm telling you from someone who had the same thought as you once, it won't work, so plan on seperate housings.

 

[MarcS74]

Excellent, Thank you all for the info.
I will build them all different enclosures so that everyone stays nice and healthy.
While I was digging around I found a post where someone would have all the babies and big tubs. If I get them each a tub with plant and UVA/UVB lighting, how long can they stay in that setup until they need a fully enclosed habitat?

 

[DanSB]

Since nobody actually answered your question...

I would think 20' x 20' x 30' should be a sufficient sized enclosure as long as it is well planted and they have plenty of natural hides and places to get away from each other. Maybe you could safely go smaller but it would be risky for the reasons outlined above. I would think a little larger would be even better. I don't know if anyone has really done much testing here so I am really just guessing based on the logical space usage and hide requirements.

Since this isn't likely what you had in mind each separate cage should be no smaller than 24" x 24" x 48" and have barriers so they can't see each other if they are kept in the same room. Most people just use opaque plastic sheets.

 

[Jac1582]

Excellent, Thank you all for the info.
I will build them all different enclosures so that everyone stays nice and healthy.
While I was digging around I found a post where someone would have all the babies and big tubs. If I get them each a tub with plant and UVA/UVB lighting, how long can they stay in that setup until they need a fully enclosed habitat?

How old are they? If possible try to have their enclosures fully setup before they arrive at your house, it just eases the transition process. By the way welcome to the forum!!