Enclosure size

[EarlMT]

So I believe in a larger cage for chameleons for them to have more room and multiple places to hide and explore, but in other websites I keep seeing suggestions for only 36x18x18 enclosures Because "they won't use the whole cage and it's wasted space and more cleaning." Was just curious what you more experienced keepers thought about this? I have a 4x2x2 enclosure but if I was to it over I would have definitely gotten a dragon strand (the 4x4x2 cage). All opinions appreciated

 

[Remkon]

Sizes on most care sheets are often minimum sizes, not recommended sizes.
Bigger also is not always better since your chameleon will have more trouble finding feeders and you will need to provide multiple basking spots and more nozzles for misting.

I'd say monitor your chameleon's behavior, if it shows signs that it wants to explore, for example it wants out of his cage when you open the door, you should consider upgrading. If it's a lazy twat that sits still most of the time you may be ok with staying around the minimal sizes.

They are all individuals too, we but a house that suits our lifestyle, I'd say do the same for your cham.

 

[jamest0o0]

What remkon said. From my experience, I have a 36x18x18 for my 5 month panther and i think it's already too small. He has been climbing on the screen more which seems to be a sign, so i set up a little vine from his cage to some free range plants(while i'm home supervising) to hangout on which he immediately took to. Just based off size it would seem the 4ft tall 4ft wide are necessary at least, my guy looks too big for his cage and he's young still i can't imagine an adult male living in there his entire life.

 

[AZChamFan]

I believe the need for horizontal space is far too often GREATLY overlooked and underestimated. Just my opinion. These are not animals which spend all their time climbing up and down vertical space. My Jackson's is housed in a cage which measures 23" x 42" x 42" and I wouldn't use any smaller. He uses his horizontal space far more than the vertical. When he wants to escape his basking spot he can simply move to another high area of the cage rather than being forced to move downwards where he would not be nearly as content, such as he would have to do in a narrow cage. I would much rather give an animal more room than it needs than barely enough. I think in a large enclosure you are rewarded with behaviors that are far more natural than in a cramped space or one that the animal can merely survive in, and ultimately a healthier animal.

 

[Remkon]

I believe the need for horizontal space is far too often GREATLY overlooked and underestimated. Just my opinion. These are not animals which spend all their time climbing up and down vertical space. My Jackson's is housed in a cage which measures 23" x 42" x 42" and I wouldn't use any smaller. He uses his horizontal space far more than the vertical. When he wants to escape his basking spot he can simply move to another high area of the cage rather than being forced to move downwards where he would not be nearly as content, such as he would have to do in a narrow cage. I would much rather give an animal more room than it needs than barely enough. I think in a large enclosure you are rewarded with behaviors that are far more natural than in a cramped space or one that the animal can merely survive in, and ultimately a healthier animal.

We usually place our enclosures on a 60cm -80cm high stand since that's convenient for us to look at and work with. The chameleon would likely rather be on an elevated position where it feels save, so that's why an higher enclosure would be better in most situations.
Place the enclosure higher and it may become better to give more horizontal space instead.

 

[AZChamFan]

We usually place our enclosures on a 60cm -80cm high stand since that's convenient for us to look at and work with. The chameleon would likely rather be on an elevated position where it feels save, so that's why an higher enclosure would be better in most situations.
Place the enclosure higher and it may become better to give more horizontal space instead.

Perhaps my wording was not the best - I didn't mean to imply that vertical space is not important - I just feel horizontal space is as well, and that it is often times very much overlooked. I feel that no matter how high the enclosure is placed, the animal will usually prefer to spend most of it's time in the upper areas. I use enclosures that are both tall and wide and I still place them up high. I believe generous horizontal space should compliment vertical space, not replace it.

Maybe I should also clarify that my Jackson's enclosure is 23" front to back, 42" wide and 42" tall!