newbie caging questions

J

jermpool

New Member
Hi I have been wanting a chameleon for about 13 years and think I am finally going to get one. After reading through some of the messages I was wondering how to determine what size cage I need. The only chams available in my area are Veiled and Jacksons at about 6 inches long. I have a friend with a fish store and he said he can order them also but I havent had a chance to talk to him and see what species he can get.

I will probably build my own cage, can I use mesh screen for the sides or do I need to use a metal screen? Would it be ok to have glass on the back and bottom and have screen on the sides, front, and top?
 
Hello again,

I would say metal screen on all sides. It needs to be open air all the way around but the metal screen tends to be sturdier I am not very good with measurments so I will let someone else answer that, honestly i don'tknow 2 inches from 2 feet unless I am staring at it. LOL

I think you should go with a veiled and make sure it is a male. They are a little more forgiving and sturdy than a jackson's and much more suited for a noob as you call yourself. I say make sure you get a male because females lay eggs, fertile or not, doesn't matter so you have to make sure you have the correct egg laying site and recognize the signs of when she needs to lay and that's something I am sure you don't want to deal with jut yet.

You'll have more chameleons then you know what to do with soon enough though.

Do you know about dusting them and having the correct lighting and watering system? And you definitely want to have all this set up before you take you cham home.
 
jermpool said:
Hi I have been wanting a chameleon for about 13 years and think I am finally going to get one. After reading through some of the messages I was wondering how to determine what size cage I need. The only chams available in my area are Veiled and Jacksons at about 6 inches long. I have a friend with a fish store and he said he can order them also but I havent had a chance to talk to him and see what species he can get.

I will probably build my own cage, can I use mesh screen for the sides or do I need to use a metal screen? Would it be ok to have glass on the back and bottom and have screen on the sides, front, and top?
Click to expand...

it is acceptable to have glass on the back and on the bottom. (just be aware that some chameleons are afraid looking at their own reflections).
Air circulation will be good enough with 4 screen sides.

However, it is recommended to have all screen sides (w/ the exception of the bottom, off course).
ask the age of the chameleon. between the age 2 months to 5 months, a 24"LX24"HX12"W is good. After that 6 months and up, you can move him to a permanent size cage (24" L X24"W X48"H) or larger.

Male Veiled chameleon is a hardy species. If you have never own a chameleon be4, this is a good species to own.
 
Last edited:
[QUOTE

I will probably build my own cage, can I use mesh screen for the sides or do I need to use a metal screen? Would it be ok to have glass on the back and bottom and have screen on the sides, front, and top?[/QUOTE]

I would really recommend purchasing an enclosure.
In my experience of constructing them...I end up spending about the same amount of $ and a lot more time.
Tyler may still have some good deals (check the misc. classifieds) Or Mike at Fl Chams (that's who I got mine from) Mike has some nice veileds right now as well.

-Brad
 
Ashley said:
Do you know about dusting them and having the correct lighting and watering system? And you definitely want to have all this set up before you take you cham home.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your responses.

When you say dusting are you talking about dusting the cham or their food? I read about dusting crickets.
I have read a little on lighting. Is a flourescent tube preffered over a screw in for uva/uvb?
Should I use a simple clamp light with a heat bulb for heat?
We don't have any reptile stores localy that I like. All we have is a Petsmart and a Petco. I would never buy a fish from Petco because they always die, are their reptiles the same way? The one localy owned store we have that has reptiles is real dirty and I don't like going in there. Like I said above though I will probably have my friend order me one.
 
Brad Ramsey said:
[QUOTE

I will probably build my own cage, can I use mesh screen for the sides or do I need to use a metal screen? Would it be ok to have glass on the back and bottom and have screen on the sides, front, and top?
Click to expand...

I would really recommend purchasing an enclosure.
In my experience of constructing them...I end up spending about the same amount of $ and a lot more time.
Tyler may still have some good deals (check the misc. classifieds) Or Mike at Fl Chams (that's who I got mine from) Mike has some nice veileds right now as well.

-Brad[/QUOTE]


I looked at the Appogee cages after I first posted I think I will get one of those.
 
jermpool said:
Thanks for your responses.

When you say dusting are you talking about dusting the cham or their food? I read about dusting crickets.
I have read a little on lighting. Is a flourescent tube preffered over a screw in for uva/uvb?
Should I use a simple clamp light with a heat bulb for heat?
We don't have any reptile stores localy that I like. All we have is a Petsmart and a Petco. I would never buy a fish from Petco because they always die, are their reptiles the same way? The one localy owned store we have that has reptiles is real dirty and I don't like going in there. Like I said above though I will probably have my friend order me one.
Click to expand...

yes. dust your crickets lightly with:
Herptivite MTH
Repcal w/o D3 (if you keep your cham outside) or w/ D3 (if you keep him inside) TF
Miner-All 0 WSat

and i emphasize on lightly.. Just enough to coat your crickets. Don't smother and choke them with the supplements.
over supplementing your cham with supplements can cause a serious health problem.

Fluorescent tube is better. Compact can cause conjunctivitis to your cham's eyes.
Recommended brand: ReptiSUN 5.0 tube (notice the sun and the tube are in red. make sure that you get the right brand. many will try to sell you reptiGLO 5.0 or the reptisun 5.0 compact.. I don't care what people say, they are not the same thing).

you can use ordinary 75 watt bulb for the heat.
but just in case you want the specific one for reptile, zoomed basking spot is good.

Since you are going to prepare the cage BEFORE purchasing the chameleon, i say shopped around or purchase via online store or ebay to get better deal.
Petco and pet smart overcharge people..
 
Last edited:
I meant dusting the crickets. A reptisun 5.0 tube is the best way to go and a clamp lamp should be fine. I use 75w nightglo i think they are called for heat.

I would tell you not to buy one from petco. They do not know how to properly take care of chameleons and many people show up on this site needing help with a very sick animal because they give bad advice. There are testimonies of animals that were saved from petco and petsmart, but ifyou buy one they will continue to stock them. I guess it is a boycott if you will. Brad had some good advice. Try a proven breeder who will ship. they are better priced than petco and you know that you are getting a helthy animal.

Most of the breeders online can often show you bloodlines so you will have an idea of how pretty your animal will be.
 
I have two heat lamps. One bulb is at 75 watts and the other is at 100, just in case he wants one or the other.

People have also mentioned, change your UV bulb about every 6 months. The UV has a tendency to wear out after that time.
 
yeah.. that's right.
depends on your area.. if your place is cold, you might need the 100 w one
I have never need anything higher than 75 w.

keep the basking spot around 87 to 95 F
 
So I think I have the day time figured out, reptisun 5.0 and a 75 watt basking lamp. What about night time? Do I use a red basking heat lamp or a ceramic one or what?
 
jermpool said:
So I think I have the day time figured out, reptisun 5.0 and a 75 watt basking lamp. What about night time? Do I use a red basking heat lamp or a ceramic one or what?
Click to expand...

no light at all at night. Should be pitch dark.
Except if your room temp drops below 60.
(I purchase the blue night light- end up i use it for my crickets for heat. )
 
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