Help with cage

[Kevin b]

(Pictures down below)

Okay So I am a beginner with chameleon, but I have been doing a lot of research. We are going to get a chameleon in a month! We have been setting up the cage and we have a problem. On our picture you can see we have a rope platform and what is holding it up is blue string. We wonder if it will pose a threat with our chameleon because it is dyed blue?
Second, we have one tape holding up a fake branch. (We know that we should have some real plants they are coming soon.) Just like the blue string we want to know if that poses a threat with our chameleon?
Lastly any suggestions we can do to improve our cage and to make the chameleon more happy?

 

[Kevin b]

Also I am wondering can I use mostly crickets, but some greens, and fruits instead of mealworms and super worms

 

[jamest0o0]

Honestly that cages looks wayyy too small. Not trying to be mean, but you're going to need to do some more research I think. You need live plants, drainage layer, branches, I'd remove that hammock thing, and that lighting isn't really good, I'd suggest a tube. There's much more, but at a glance that's what I can tell you.

 

[Kevin b]

Thanks with the feedback! Another question is even with a baby the cage is too small? And the light is not on.

 

[Virgil1972]

I don't think a chameleon would care for the rope platform to much. Their feet are made more for branches than flat surfaces. I would add more plants and sticks. That cage will need to be upgraded to a bigger one within a few months.

 

[Kevin b]

I don't think a chameleon would care for the rope platform to much. Their feet are made more for branches than flat surfaces. I would add more plants and sticks. That cage will need to be upgraded to a bigger one within a few months.

Okay we will replace the hammock with more sticks and we are planning on buying a 24 x 24 x 48in cage in a few months

 

[Shawnschamelion]

That's a good idea on the new upgraded cage. Your on the right track just need a few adjustments. Like Virgil said definitely remove the rope hammock and add as much vines and places to hide as possible. What's the lighting situation?? What do you have for bulbs. Most people go with the tube because the coil lamp is directed in only one direction. The tube provides more light spread throughout the cage. I actually have both. Keep up on reading as much as you can and research research research!!!!

 

[Goose502]

I would not use any rope or string for any reason. I've seen many lizards get the small threads wrapped around their toes and end up loosing them. Same concept goes for carpet too.

 

[Graves923]

You can use zip ties to hold the vines up. You can also go to any garden center and buy a Golden Pothos plant. This plant grows fast and the vines will grow up toward the light filling out the cage.

Cage is definitely gonna need an upgrade fast. Baby chams grow really quick.

In my opinion, your current light fixture will be good until you get the adult sized cage. Make sure that light fixture you have now has a UVB 5.0 bulb as the UVB source and use a regular house bulb for basking light (adjust wattage for desired temp). The bulbs that come with those fixtures (if i remember currectly) are not recommended. My dual fixture had a blue daylight bulb and a UVB 2.0 bulb which would work for a cham.

 

[Kevin b]

Okay, I've research more and I think I should replace everything inside the cage and have a small fichus tree in the middle and place rocks around the soil so it wont eat the dirt. I will have a golden pothos hanging all around the cage and have zip ties holding the vine so the pothos won't fall over. On amazon there is things called magnetic rocks, which is a fake rock that sticks on to the cage and in the middle is a round hole where you can place any plant. So a plant I thought of is a spider plant. Is this good? And any suggestions too would be appreciated!

 

[AMdoubleER]

Check out https://www.bigalspets.com/
They have alot of plants and stuff for cheap! I personally have not upgraded to using live plants yet myself. I only use artificial plants with my cage set ups. Take a look at my albume titled "My cage set up experiments" if you want to get a few ideas from me. Your on the right track, just need to make a few adjustments like everyone was saying. If I can do anything to help, just send me a message. Good luck!