New Cage Project

[Surfrat]

Well I am far from a master woodworker, but I have managed to fumble my way into some symbalance of a cage. I am actually working on two at the same time, but both will be identical.

Obviously a work in progress, but it coming along.

It measures about 28 X 28 X 48 (Inches)

I plan to leave about a 1/2 inch space between the door and floor so that I can slide a removable floor in. (Still not exactly sure on what to put down there or how exactly to make this work..)

I counter sunk the screws and filled them in with wood filler. I also seal all of the seams. Waiting on that to dry so I can sand it some more and apply some sealant.

 

[CleaTheChameleon]

Cool keep us updated

 

[Surfrat]

Got the doors made and both cages stained. Hinges on also. Just have the screening left to do.

Still need to figure out a bottom if anyone has ideas? There is about a 1/2 inch gap between the bottom of cage and the door, so room to slide something in.

 

[Silverdusk]

They look great Dan. I am sure they'll be enjoying all that space.
I'm not sure what you mean by help with the bottom. Please explian in detail a little more what you are hoping to accomplish.

...Dan

 

[Surfrat]

They look great Dan. I am sure they'll be enjoying all that space.
I'm not sure what you mean by help with the bottom. Please explian in detail a little more what you are hoping to accomplish.

...Dan

Well I mean I need a floor/drain system and I'm not sure how to accomplish that. What material shld I use and how shld I implement it.

 

[graydon]

pvc sheeting

 

[beeze]

Nice work! I built a cage for my female and used a cement mix pan for the bottom. Ended up putting a drain in it. Here's the link if you'd like to take a look. https://www.chameleonforums.com/members/beeze-albums-making-aluminum-cage.html

 

[chameleonman57]

Looks good, can't what to see the finished pictures of the cage.

 

[sandrachameleon]

You could try a tray meant for the bottom of a bird cage. You could slide that out to dump/clean. Or you could drill a hold in it, to have water drain to a bucket below.

 

[Surfrat]

Question, I would like to hang a large pothos int eh cage. How are some of you accomplishing this? I see wooden dowels used sometime just wondering how you attached them...

 

[Surfrat]

Well here it is mostly finished. I used regular aluminum screening on the door, but I wrapped the rest of the cage in some black 1/4" Hardware Cloth. That aluminum screening is so damn sharp, I pricked myself like 5 times putting the piece on the door. It makes me too nervous to use with chameleons who like to screen walk. I know the hardware cloth is far from insect escape proof, but I think I will just set up some feeding stations around the cage. That way I can keep track of what they are eating also.

The metal pole on the top I am thinking of drilling a hole through the top two 2X4s and putting that pole through it. That way I can hang the pothos on it. Do you think this will be okay? It is chrome plated so maybe its too slick for the chameleons in case they try to walk on it? Maybe I should find a wooden dowel that long and do the same thing with it?

 

[Silverdusk]

I think it will work great Dan. They will either use the pole or not. I think it's as simple as that. Offering other vines, sticks etc of differing sizes all over the cage will give them reason not to care whether they climb on the pole or not

You may have success feeding Wilson from a cup, I never did and I tried a varied degree of depths and types to no effect. He was born and raised under the Kammers care and they only range feed.

Maybe I'm silly, but I think it's something that has stuck with him into his adult life.

The only part of the screen that should be sharp is the cut edges. I know it's more money, but you could always staple some of that "plastic" molding over the rough/sharp edges and then not worry about the stuff rotting or molding up.

I know one thing for sure they will certainly enjoy the hardware cloth


... Dan

Feel free to call.

 

[Surfrat]

Yea the second cage I have not screened yet.. I have enough of the aluminum to do it, but I would much rather the hardware cloth, I think it will be perfect for them to climb on. Of course if he wont feed from a cup I will have no choice on his.

 

[Surfrat]

Here is the finished product with plants. Again not great, but i think it will work for a simple outside enclosure. I do have a couple fo the fake bendable vines ill be putting towards the top also.

*****

What do you guys do as far as pots and potting soil on your enclosure plants? As you can see I Have Pothos and Schefflera.

 

[Silverdusk]

Looks great Dan, you did a fabulous job. I know they'll love it. My only critique would be to add some limbs or vines about the enclosure for them to get out in the open a little bit more.

You can find them and bake them or buy some cheap "Dry Arrangement" branches from Walmart and the like.

 

[lisa h]

For the pole across the top (which, btw is a great idea), you could wrap florists tape around it. Your cham will be more likely to climb on it, and it will blend in better with the plants. You can find it in the crafts section at Walmart. Fabulous enclosure.

 

[Surfrat]

For the pole across the top (which, btw is a great idea), you could wrap florists tape around it. Your cham will be more likely to climb on it, and it will blend in better with the plants. You can find it in the crafts section at Walmart. Fabulous enclosure.

Great suggestion, I hadn't thought of that! I will get some tomorrow.

 

[Surfrat]

Looks great Dan, you did a fabulous job. I know they'll love it. My only critique would be to add some limbs or vines about the enclosure for them to get out in the open a little bit more.

You can find them and bake them or buy some cheap "Dry Arrangement" branches from Walmart and the like.

Have some of the bendable fake vines coming in the mail tomorrow!

 

[Surfrat]

For the pole across the top (which, btw is a great idea), you could wrap florists tape around it. Your cham will be more likely to climb on it, and it will blend in better with the plants. You can find it in the crafts section at Walmart. Fabulous enclosure.

Wrapped the bar as you suggested. I really like it as do the two ladies!

 

[lisa h]

I wrap my food cups with it too. Originally my husband's idea -- he's into the esthetics of the enclosure.