More..... excitement?

[BabyChamCham]

My baby Oswin just turned 1, I think. He was about 3 months when I got him, and I've had him since May 2016! He grew so fast!!
OK, now on topic. I feel bad leaving him in the cage all the time. Sit,eat,sleep,repeat.. Boring? I can't do much, I know, but any ideas? He's not one to leave his cage.. but I'll find a way if I need to.
Also, I got a new room with carpet, and my parents don't want Oswin in my bedroom because they think his automatic mister will ruin the carpet. Any ideas? Thank you!

 

[BabyChamCham]

Sorry, photo didn't load.

 

[jamest0o0]

I like his bright green, very nice. I think your best leaving him to what he wants to do, if that means stay in his cage so be it. What i did for my panther that has worked was put a branch from his cage with the door open to a little free range of plants outside his cage. He started exploring and now insists on leaving his cage every day. This is just 1 chameleon with 1 personality though, they all differ. Mine gladly crawls up my arm when i put my hand in because he knows it means he gets to explore the room.

 

[jamest0o0]

Btw i only do this when supervising.

 

[BabyChamCham]

I wanted to put a few plants in my room, but my mom said it would turn into a jungle
I also have 2 birds in there too, so I need a bit of space for them as well. I may get a large tree to put in the corner, so we can hang.... out

 

[CharlieCharmingo]

Maybe he doesn't want to come out because he know the birds are in there with him so he stays where he knows he's safe.

 

[BabyChamCham]

Well acually, my birds are currently in my room, and Oswin is in my brothers room on hardwood floors. And my birds are harmless, their parakeets
Any ideas on not ruining the carpet? The mister is in the cage, but some on it goes on the floor.. just position it better and hope for the best?


If anything, he'd problably try to eat them... :0

 

[Andee]

Do you have a drainage system for you cage/mister? And it doesn't matter how small your bird is, chameleons automatically hate birds. I have a medium sized parrot and a Bourke's Parakeet, whenever I pass them with Ryker (about a year ago, he's lost the majority of his sight at the moment) he automatically goes into scared/defense mode.

 

[JacksJill]

If you want to prevent overspray from your mister you can put clear plastic sheeting, like shower curtain, on one or two sides that the spray hits. You can also use hanging plants real or plastic to deflect the spray down into the cage.
As Andee suggested a drainage system of some kind will collect anything that drains into the cage. I have a central drain that drains into a plastic bin in the top drawer of my Rubbermaid 3 drawer storage.

 

[jamest0o0]

I'm making a free range and just bought some shower curtains for the walls and a roll of plastic carpet cover for the floor. Drainage as well, but the plastic on the walls and floor should catch any spray.

 

[BabyChamCham]

I do not have a drainage system. Right now I have a substrate tray I slide out and dumb out. I wanted to make one, by the bottom is straight across and it wouldnt drain all the way. Also I do agree with you, @Andee , Oswin even gets defensive with my hand.. Anyways, any way I can make it to where the middle of the cage comes in a bit so it drains better?

 

[Andee]

What is the substrate tray made out of? You can technically make what I did on the fly if you can drill through it safely?

 

[BabyChamCham]

It's the zoo med one that fits the cage I have for him; so plastic, @Andee

 

[JacksJill]

Someone on the forum used sand that they heated in the oven to 400˚F to bend the plastic cage bottom. Sorry I don't have the link. Mine bends down to the center because of the weight of the pipe hanging off of it.
This shows a lot of different ways people do drainage https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/drainage-systems-for-cages-get-creative.102038/

 

[Andee]

I drilled small sized holes all along mine and then cut a hole in a storage bin that fit under. Make sure you only drill holes that line up with the hole in the storage bin lid. Then I put in a piece of plumbing pvc that had a could connections and a cap or plug. Which ever works, so I can drain it when I want to. You will likely need to seal it with silicone.

 

[BabyChamCham]

All great ideas! I got a great- easy idea to do. I'll drill a few holes, and have them lined up with a funnel I'll glue to the underside, leading to a large bucket. The only problem.. the cage stand is tile.. I'll figure it out, and I'll definitely try the sand idea. Thanks!

 

[BabyChamCham]

Another thing, @JacksJill , will the sand heating ruin my microwave? Maybe use the oven to speed the process?

 

[JacksJill]

You have to use a conventional oven to heat the sand NOT the microwave.
I'll see if I can find that thread for you.

 

[JacksJill]

Found It. https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/hot-sand-to-slope-drainage-trays.155167/#post-1324097

 

[BabyChamCham]

Thank you so much, @JacksJill !!
The move was a success, and now he's in my room !
I had a few more questions (sorry)
When the mister mists, it's blows out on the carpet. What could I do to make it look clean. I'm decorating my room, and don't want much shower curtain/towel stuff. I may just get more foliage, but I'm on a budget right now.
I know. It's my responsibility, but foliage needs to wait a few more days, and, are there any other ways to do it? Thank you!!