Converting a Shower into Enclosure

Good Deal...

Good deal on getting those supplements tomorrow. She really needs them right away. Brad Ramsey's Raising Kitty site has all the information on supplementing for your girl. I don't have the URL at my fingertips, but go to his member area on the forum and get the link there. Everything you need for here is listed there :)
 
I think using the shower is a fabulous idea. With the front almost entirely screen and the top, I very much doubt you'll have air flow issues (position the heat lamps to create a natural circulation) and probably wont need added fans.
 
How do heat lamps create natural circulation? I mean, I doubted that I would need more ventalation than having over half the front and the entire front screened...but was just going to play it on the safe side.

Does anyone here know a brand of a NON-TOXIC expanding foam to use on walls of an enclosure?
 
djfunkshowkid said:
How do heat lamps create natural circulation? I mean, I doubted that I would need more ventalation than having over half the front and the entire front screened...but was just going to play it on the safe side.
Click to expand...

Heat /warm air rises, and as it does cooler air will come in from the lower front. instant circulation. a fully screen front and top should be quite sufficient, IMHO
 
BigR said:
There is no way that veiled is 4 months. I'd say around 2 at most. At 4 months my female was far bigger than that one.

But the shower idea is excellent, I've seen 1 or 2 larger ones done for iguanas. Love to see this once it's completed.
Click to expand...

I would agree with you about the age, if I had not seen a male Veiled chameleon last weekend that was supposedly purchased in October, that was smaller than that. Poor little guy looked so dehydrated and such. I suggested to the owner that the reason he was so small was keeping him in an aquarium and lack of food and making him lick water off the glass =(

Anyhow, she very well could be 4 months, depending on food intake.
 
Im not sure how old she is....pet store said 5wks, but a few guys in a chat room said she was 4mo. Then again, I didn't show any pics then...I just said she was about 5in Nose to Tail. Thats half the reason I posted pics of her, so more people could chime in and maybe all come to a conclusion on her age.

From now on...I'll just say she is 2mo. Thanks!!
 
I've always dreamed about owning a house with an extra bath/shower (the bigger the better). I would take out the mirror (always standard in a bathroom), put up uvb & basking lights, load the room with plants (including plants in the tub/shower). That's where I'd put my misting system. The drainage is already built in. It would be a chameleon paradise.
 
Ya know, after looking at some pictures from other members, I suppose she does look pretty young! Now when I look at her she seems about 6wks...about what the pet store said. I dont know where the hell I got 4mo from!!!
 
A pet store selling 5 week old babies!?!?:mad: I would love to have chat with the management of that store. Standard is starting babies for 2-3 months prior to selling to the public. Not to mention most pet stores are the dealers of sick miskept animals and horrible husbandry info. Information so bad sometimes it seems they are trying to sabotage your purchase. Anyway... sorry to rant. Was this Petsmart?

Cute little girl! and great idea with the shower... Sounds like a lot of fun, and could be VERY nice. Keep us posted.

~Joe
 
regarding the supplements, you may find the threads and websites I've collected in this blog entry to of use to you:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/65-supplements.html

also, this entry regarding feeding the feeders:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/57-gutloading-links.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/75-feeder-nutrition.html

and there is very good all round information about veiled chams here:
http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/
 
I bought her at "Jacks Aquarium and Pets" in Findlay, OH (http://www.jackspets.com). I later learned to never shop there again, as I will now go to another store called "Pet Supplies Plus" as they know much more and are cheaper. Jacks sold me the moss to put in as substrate, they didn't know the sex of the cham but knew her age....sound fishy. So, now im in this forum for better eduacation and to get opinions on how old she really is.

Boy, you guys are all about the rasingkittythechameleon site here arn't ya? I've read a lot on that site, and have actually found more useful information from this site.

I appreciate the links sandra, I will be sure to use them!

Once again, thanks for the support on the shower idea....tonight I added some texture to the walls with spackle, which will be "highlighted" with expanding foam, then covered with latex paint to make waterproof, then airbrushed. I will post photo's when each step is complete....thanks!
 
Ok, I am getting TONS of mixed reviews about "Lucky Bamboo." I just picked up this tree and Karma seems to have a blast climbing in it. She's go from the bamboo, then Cabella, then bamboo, then cabella. It almost looks like she is playing.

I would like to know for SURE if LUCKY BAMBOO is ok to have in there with her or not. Thanks!
 
djfunkshowkid said:
Ok, I am getting TONS of mixed reviews about "Lucky Bamboo." I just picked up this tree and Karma seems to have a blast climbing in it. She's go from the bamboo, then Cabella, then bamboo, then cabella. It almost looks like she is playing.

I would like to know for SURE if LUCKY BAMBOO is ok to have in there with her or not. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Lucky Bamboo is not really bamboo it is a name givin as it has the apearance of bamboo. lucky bamboo/ribbon plant (Dracaena sanderiana)

It is toxic and I would not recomend using it. It may be fine and you never have a probelm, but I would think the risk is not worth it for me.
 
Yup, just read an article stating: Lucky Bamboo is not the true bamboo that Pandas eat; it is a member of the water lily family. Please check www.wfrw.org/faqs-and-facts.htm. You will find that the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has Lucky Bamboo (Draecaena sanderiana) on their list of plants that are toxic to animals, particularly cats.

I am taking it out of her enclosure as we speak (or type..lol). It's only been in there for 1 hr....so oh well.

I also notied that the ambient temp. was rising to around 80-85, so I removed the 150w bulb, and put in a 35w bulb to see if it will lower the ambient temp, but still provide a basking temp of 80-90.

Boy am I ever happy that I found this website. You guys are all GREAT help! Karma and I both thank you!
 
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Ok, now it comes time for more questions about the build. Right now I built up the inside a bit and added some texture with spacking (premative, I know). I will be using Great Stuff expanding foam for even more texture. Now, my question is...

What do I use to waterproof the background? Is there some sort of special silicone or latex paint that is used?

Also, I would like some idea's on what type of materials to use as the background. Should I just take dirt and throw it at the wall while the silicone or paint is still wet? Use coconut hair, paint, I dunno. I see some great custom cages with great looking backgrounds, and would like to know what material to use.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
 
Im still a bit confused on the whole tail curling thing. Other threads have info on tail breakage...etc...but I can't find much info on what it means. Also, I see a lot of photo's where the curl is really tight, but Karma's tail turl is sortof....loose? Is this a sign of a problem or is it just a bit loose cuz she is still a baby?
 
djfunkshowkid said:
Ok, now it comes time for more questions about the build. Right now I built up the inside a bit and added some texture with spacking (premative, I know). I will be using Great Stuff expanding foam for even more texture. Now, my question is...
What do I use to waterproof the background? Is there some sort of special silicone or latex paint that is used?
Also, I would like some idea's on what type of materials to use as the background. Should I just take dirt and throw it at the wall while the silicone or paint is still wet? Use coconut hair, paint, I dunno. I see some great custom cages with great looking backgrounds, and would like to know what material to use.
Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Click to expand...

I dont think I personally would use dirt. Maybe sand? Check this thread out:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/svens-castle-lots-pics-10677/
and there are a few more interesting enclosure related links in this blog entry:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/82-enclosures-housing.html
 
djfunkshowkid said:
Im still a bit confused on the whole tail curling thing. Other threads have info on tail breakage...etc...but I can't find much info on what it means. Also, I see a lot of photo's where the curl is really tight, but Karma's tail turl is sortof....loose? Is this a sign of a problem or is it just a bit loose cuz she is still a baby?
Click to expand...

Hard to know for sure, but probably she just chooses not to curl it up tightly?
 
Well, I found out some things about Karma. Apparently she had either several broken ribs, or cysts on her ribs. I was also concerned about her ankle swelling as well. So, after reviewing a few threads on this site...I decided to bring her back to the store. I am inexperienced, and she would be in much better care with someone who is experienced.

I now have an older cham....about 5mo old. He is a perfectly healthy lil guy....very active, but a bit agressive. My son wanted to name him WALL-E...so thats now his name. I will post pics of him, along with an update with the work being done with the shower.
 
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