Branching and Live Hanging Plants in a Screen Cage
The Problem.
For over 30 years I have been trying different ways of setting up a chameleon cage. The biggest problem with a screen cage is the difficulty in placing horizontal branches and live plants. Quite simply, anytime any weight is placed on the screen wall it is compromising the integrity of the screen and shortening the life of the cage. Of course, ripped and warped screen is common with methods such as zip tying, thumb tacks, and hot glue. Screen is not designed to be weight bearing. And, though we can get away with these methods for branching, a live plant must be awkwardly attached to the framing or placed on the floor.
The Solution.
This new product, which I am calling Dragon Ledges, is the answer to that problem. They are anchors which give you convenient access to the weight bearing nature of the frames from the center of the screen. In other words, you may now branch without worry for the screen and you may hang a live vining plant anywhere in the cage. And, just as important, it will be done with a clean and professional look.
The Product.
The product itself is a retrofit kit which will fit the screen cages you have right now. There are kit sizes available that fit the common size screen cages from Dragon Strand, Zoo Med ReptiBreeze, LLL Reptile, and DIY Cages. Each kit consists of four or five (for the largest cages) individual Dragon Ledges which can be placed anywhere in the sides or back depending on your design.
Each Dragon Ledge consists of three pieces. The Ledge is inside the cage and its design offers multiple mounting options. The Ledge transfers the weight from the inside of the cage to the Back Support. The Back Support receives the load from the Ledge and places it firmly on the structurally strong frame. Between the Back Support and the Ledge is a piece called the Spacer. The Spacer saves the screen from any stress during the entire process.
The Benefit.
The primary benefit of this product is the freedom it allows us in making the best environment for our chameleons. It is frustrating to have to have cage design be dependent so much on the limited possibilities of screen rather than what is best for the chameleon. It is now easy to have solid horizontal perching branches run past wide drinking leaves of live pothos. Hidden glens may be produced to give your chameleon security. It is now time to use your imagination and creativity to create an environment rather than to figure out how to make elements structurally sound.
The Next Level.
And, for those who want to explore the next level, the design of the Ledge allows a solid anchor for foaming products. Let this product be the catalyst for doing something with screen caging that has never been done before. Instead of designing a cage which highlights the chameleon, let’s create an environment where the chameleon is just one element of its beauty. This is just the start.
Dragon Ledges are available through the DragonStrand website. The package of four is available at $32 for the common 30”, 36” and 48” tall cages. Packages of five are available at $38 for the 48” cages.
Dragon Ledges Product Page
For a detailed description of how to create the above naturalistic environment within a screen cage see the article: Advanced Chameleon Cage Setup.
The Problem.
For over 30 years I have been trying different ways of setting up a chameleon cage. The biggest problem with a screen cage is the difficulty in placing horizontal branches and live plants. Quite simply, anytime any weight is placed on the screen wall it is compromising the integrity of the screen and shortening the life of the cage. Of course, ripped and warped screen is common with methods such as zip tying, thumb tacks, and hot glue. Screen is not designed to be weight bearing. And, though we can get away with these methods for branching, a live plant must be awkwardly attached to the framing or placed on the floor.
The Solution.
This new product, which I am calling Dragon Ledges, is the answer to that problem. They are anchors which give you convenient access to the weight bearing nature of the frames from the center of the screen. In other words, you may now branch without worry for the screen and you may hang a live vining plant anywhere in the cage. And, just as important, it will be done with a clean and professional look.
The Product.
The product itself is a retrofit kit which will fit the screen cages you have right now. There are kit sizes available that fit the common size screen cages from Dragon Strand, Zoo Med ReptiBreeze, LLL Reptile, and DIY Cages. Each kit consists of four or five (for the largest cages) individual Dragon Ledges which can be placed anywhere in the sides or back depending on your design.
Each Dragon Ledge consists of three pieces. The Ledge is inside the cage and its design offers multiple mounting options. The Ledge transfers the weight from the inside of the cage to the Back Support. The Back Support receives the load from the Ledge and places it firmly on the structurally strong frame. Between the Back Support and the Ledge is a piece called the Spacer. The Spacer saves the screen from any stress during the entire process.
The Benefit.
The primary benefit of this product is the freedom it allows us in making the best environment for our chameleons. It is frustrating to have to have cage design be dependent so much on the limited possibilities of screen rather than what is best for the chameleon. It is now easy to have solid horizontal perching branches run past wide drinking leaves of live pothos. Hidden glens may be produced to give your chameleon security. It is now time to use your imagination and creativity to create an environment rather than to figure out how to make elements structurally sound.
The Next Level.
And, for those who want to explore the next level, the design of the Ledge allows a solid anchor for foaming products. Let this product be the catalyst for doing something with screen caging that has never been done before. Instead of designing a cage which highlights the chameleon, let’s create an environment where the chameleon is just one element of its beauty. This is just the start.
Dragon Ledges are available through the DragonStrand website. The package of four is available at $32 for the common 30”, 36” and 48” tall cages. Packages of five are available at $38 for the 48” cages.
Dragon Ledges Product Page
For a detailed description of how to create the above naturalistic environment within a screen cage see the article: Advanced Chameleon Cage Setup.
