My DIY Chameleon Cage

[racerfreak]

After plenty of research and my available space I decided to build my own cage. I'm not saying the standard cage is bad, but not what I want. My limits are only having a 30"x 18" base available. My second restriction is that I cant have water leaking from the sides. This led me to one possible solution... DIY cage

Here are the material being used:

-1"x1" molding hard wood
-48"x84" aluminum screening
-#8x1-3/4" wood screws
-1-5/8" panel board nails
-5/16" staples
-staple gun
-drill & bits
-hammer
-saw (table saw is best used to cut for smooth edges)
-sand paper
-wood file (only if you use a regular saw, this is used to flatten out the ends)
-pencil
-ruler & tape measure
-3' sq. ft. Plastic White Corrugated Sheets (15-Pack)

4x48" 1"x1" pieces
4x26" 1"x1" pieces
8x16" 1"x1" pieces

I plan on making the top and the door mesh and using the Plastic White Corrugated Sheets for the sides and bottom. Total this will end up costing me about $150, about $100 more than expecting but it will suit my needs.

I will post pics as it moves along.

 

[AZJ0SH]

What kind of chameleon are you getting? 30X18 is too small for some chameleons.

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[racerfreak]

30w x 18d is not too small if my heigt is 36-48". Did some reasearch on the plastic board and looks like home depot is too expensive so i'm going to order some sheets online and it should be cheaper.

 

[camimom]

30w x 18d is not too small if my heigt is 36-48". Dis some reasearch on the plastic board and looks like home depot is too expensive so i'm going to order some sheets online and it should be cheaper.

ok if your cage is 30x18x48 then that should be fine for any cham. I think the person who read it thought that the 18 was going to be the hieght.

 

[racerfreak]

probably, my cage is going to end up being 30x18x42. I need to leave some room underneath for drainage but the total dimensions will be 30x18x48.

 

[AZJ0SH]

For a Veiled Male you need 24x24x48, right?

18" would not give the Chameleon a lot of room to move around, especially at full size.

 

[racerfreak]

I'm getting a panther chameleon and right now I'm not worried about the depth or dimensions untill he gets bigger but, Chameleonsonly.com (where I'm buying my baby Nosy Be Panther) reccomends a 30"L x 18" W x 36"H for adults. I can always extend the cage in the future too, I know the standard min adult size reccomended is 2'x2'x4'.

 

[Hoj]

For a Veiled Male you need 24x24x48, right?

18" would not give the Chameleon a lot of room to move around, especially at full size.

sorry but 18x30x48 is the same internal dimensions as 24x24x48 just a little bigger one way and a little smaller the other, should be just fine.., IMO

 

[camimom]

For a Veiled Male you need 24x24x48, right?

18" would not give the Chameleon a lot of room to move around, especially at full size.

The cage is essentially the same. Its a tiny bit smaller, but realistically and an adult panther or veiled would be just fine.

 

[racerfreak]

well thats good to hear I still can't decide if I should paint it a color or just clearcoat the wood.

 

[Hoj]

i stained then clear coated my cages here is a link to my build.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/enclosure-how-pics-pt1-55241/

 

[racerfreak]

nice build... I think I'm going to just spray paint it black or do a clear coat. I've decided I can't find Corrugated Plastic Panels in the size I want for a decent price, basically I have to buy 10 sheets when I only need 2. So I've decided to buy abs or polycarbonate sheets. The polycarbonate is about $20 more for all the sheets but is clear and virtually indestructible. The abs is just plain inexpensive, idk about durability, and its not clear.

 

[racerfreak]

well the frame is built, had a few issues and nothings perfect but pretty darn close considering my limitations. I decided to go with a 18"x18"x40" enclosure with 8" underneath for drainage. I've ordered 3 black 18"x40"x1/32" abs sheets for the walls and 1 white 18"x18"x3/8" HDPE board for the floor and 2 clear 18"x6"x1/32" polycarbonate sheets for the top and bottom of the front. The door will measure 28"x16"x1" wood with mesh. I then plan to silicone the bottom to prevent leaking.