Mesh vs aluminum

[Rhino]

I am in the process of researching everything I need to know before I try and raise a chameleon. I was comparing mesh cages vs aluminum cages. Does this make any difference to the chameleon? Is there more likely a chance that a cham can get injured in either cage?

Mike

 

[cushcameleon]

I don't know that there is any chance of one being more dangerous then the other. However, the mesh cages IMO are much less durable and harder to work worth; they look and feel cheap. I prefer the aluminum type, hands down.

 

[Rhino]

Why are they harder to work with? Keep in mind I have never owned either cage. Is it that the frame is cheap and falls apart easily? Or does the mesh rip too often?

 

[chameleonman57]

Aluminum type is the best over the cheap mesh cages

 

[chameleonman57]

Aluminum cages are more durable and harder to work with and the mesh cages aren't very durable or easy to work with in my opinion.

 

[writh]

Mesh feels cheap aluminum feels nice and sturdy...

 

[hemiram04]

I use both but I would recommend the metal (aluminum) screen mainly because it is a lot more durable. The mesh cages uses zippers and the zippers break and the mesh can burn if a heat source touches it (although it should not be that close) and the PVC frame can crack. The aluminum cages seen to hold up longer, although the hinges for the doors can rust.

 

[nick barta]

Aluminum screen cages have one injury issue, and that is repetitive screen climbing can shave down larger chams claws, making it harder for the cham to grip, and can result in nail infections, and loss of nails.

That being said, I have had dozens of adult chams who never faced these issues, and have always used aluminum screen. I have stayed with captive bred mostly, and haven't seen screen climbing with CB, and when I have bought wild caught, noticed that they seem to climb the screen more, and would possibly have more damage to the nails.

I would consider using Super Screen from metroscreenworks.com, I got a sample from them, and it is soft and stretchy, the holes are small enough to contain feeders, and it is reasonably priced. Of course now we are talking building your own cage, but definitely the best of both worlds.

The zippered enclosures will probably give you problems, the zippers tend to jam after time.

 

[xanthoman]

many plastic meshes or plastic covered wire meshes are pvc(polyvynilchloride) which is toxic, so if your drinking or misting water were to come onto contact with it for any length of time it could be a problem, especially if your cham were to get in the habit of drinking off of it ,and if it does begin to melt while you are not there, it could pose a problem with fumes or hot dripping (even burning) plastic, also crickets are not above chewing on it, on the other hand, the aluminum mesh that comes with most premade cham cages is of the mesh size that is perfect for grabbing on to cham toes, but it is certainly more durable than most fabric meshes , most fabric meshes have poor light transmission qualities when compared to wire or aluminum mesh , you often see homemade cages of galvanized hardware cloth , also a poor choice , galvanizing is zinc, also toxic, and can be absorbed through the skin, particularly when wet, no drinking required (i found that one out the hard way), some plastic meshes are made of pe (polyethelene) fairly non toxic or ppl (polypropylene) also fairly non toxic but those two choices arent as available as the earlier ones and are fairly expensive as plastic meshes go. they also make hardware cloth in a powder coated version which is less toxic than pvc or zinc , but the problem is cost its cost is almost as much or more than stainless mesh which of course would be the least toxic and most durable of all , the problem with stainless is mainly cost (ranging from about $ 6 -20 sq. ft.) making it too expensive for most chamers (including me) but it is readily available in just about any mesh/wire size that would be of interest to any chamers, so i guess the short answer would be aluminum , but really you need to weigh your cage materials against several factors cost, toxicity, light transmission, durability , cham habits (is your cham likely to drink off of the wire, or spend a lot of time crawling on the wire etc.) it all boils down to cage design,application practicality, and cost versus piece of mind , sorry it took me so long to get there but, i guess my vote in terms of which would be best for those new to chamming , would be a premade aluminum cage with aluminum mesh , hope i didn't confuse things farther

 

[Rhino]

Thanks everyone for their responses and all the information you have provided me. It was very useful.

 

[nick barta]

many plastic meshes or plastic covered wire meshes are pvc(polyvynilchloride) which is toxic, so if your drinking or misting water were to come onto contact with it for any length of time it could be a problem, especially if your cham were to get in the habit of drinking off of it ,and if it does begin to melt while you are not there, it could pose a problem with fumes or hot dripping (even burning) plastic, also crickets are not above chewing on it, on the other hand, the aluminum mesh that comes with most premade cham cages is of the mesh size that is perfect for grabbing on to cham toes, but it is certainly more durable than most fabric meshes , most fabric meshes have poor light transmission qualities when compared to wire or aluminum mesh , you often see homemade cages of galvanized hardware cloth , also a poor choice , galvanizing is zinc, also toxic, and can be absorbed through the skin, particularly when wet, no drinking required (i found that one out the hard way), some plastic meshes are made of pe (polyethelene) fairly non toxic or ppl (polypropylene) also fairly non toxic but those two choices arent as available as the earlier ones and are fairly expensive as plastic meshes go. they also make hardware cloth in a powder coated version which is less toxic than pvc or zinc , but the problem is cost its cost is almost as much or more than stainless mesh which of course would be the least toxic and most durable of all , the problem with stainless is mainly cost (ranging from about $ 6 -20 sq. ft.) making it too expensive for most chamers (including me) but it is readily available in just about any mesh/wire size that would be of interest to any chamers, so i guess the short answer would be aluminum , but really you need to weigh your cage materials against several factors cost, toxicity, light transmission, durability , cham habits (is your cham likely to drink off of the wire, or spend a lot of time crawling on the wire etc.) it all boils down to cage design,application practicality, and cost versus piece of mind , sorry it took me so long to get there but, i guess my vote in terms of which would be best for those new to chamming , would be a premade aluminum cage with aluminum mesh , hope i didn't confuse things farther

The Super Sceen is vinyl coated, does vinyl present any toxic issues?

Nick

 

[VeiledGirl]

I would not use mesh! I had a reptarium before I got my aluminum cages and crickets chewed through the mesh and ran free all over my house... not fun!