Reason cage suggestions top out at 48”
- Thread starter Mikee002
- Start date
Mendez
Chameleon Enthusiast
To my knowledge, there is no reason for why they max out at 48 inches, it has just become standard. Though if my cage was any taller than 48 inches while sitting on a table, I wouldn't have enough room for my lights hanging above my cage. Ofc if your lights sit directly on the cage, then you could get away with a taller cage.
But no, there is no biological reason for why the cages max out at 48 inches.
But no, there is no biological reason for why the cages max out at 48 inches.
Probably because short people like me would have a hard time cleaning and putting it together 
I'm honestly not sure, I would think a reason being is most enclosures like that are for arboreal creatures and knowing most people set them up on a stand to make it higher.. they probably also have something in mind that when you set up drainage on the bottom the enclosure it adds another couple feet to the entire set up. Good question tho.
I'm honestly not sure, I would think a reason being is most enclosures like that are for arboreal creatures and knowing most people set them up on a stand to make it higher.. they probably also have something in mind that when you set up drainage on the bottom the enclosure it adds another couple feet to the entire set up. Good question tho.
Ramrod
Chameleon Enthusiast
The height limits are one of the reasons I build my own. Guess it's just the industry standard and I prefer much taller enclosures.Probably because short people like me would have a hard time cleaning and putting it together
I'm honestly not sure, I would think a reason being is most enclosures like that are for arboreal creatures and knowing most people set them up on a stand to make it higher.. they probably also have something in mind that when you set up drainage on the bottom the enclosure it adds another couple feet to the entire set up. Good question tho.
I would say as previously stated that ceiling height probably has alot to do with it.
ERKleRose
Chameleon Enthusiast
It is for the bare minimum, because most people do the bare minimum in anything, so trying to get a big enough cage for chams to have at least a little room to grow and move in for the owners that do the bare minimum. Bill Strand and others are trying to get the minimum to 4’ x 2‘ x 4’ tall or bigger (for the basic beginner chams like panthers, veileds, jacksons, etc.). The correct answer for what cage size is as big as you can go! Sadly, not everyone wants to do that, ergo the minimum cage sizes are needed.
Klyde O'Scope
Chameleon Enthusiast
I've read many reasons—some valid, some possibly slightly misguided.
If you want to build one taller, by all means go for it. Some folks have walk-in enclosures, and some free-range.
I would hesitate going any shorter unless there were significant horizontal space, and the enclosure were elevated so the cham's basking zone is at or above eye level. There seems to be some evidence that they're more comfortable at that height.
If you want to build one taller, by all means go for it. Some folks have walk-in enclosures, and some free-range.
I would hesitate going any shorter unless there were significant horizontal space, and the enclosure were elevated so the cham's basking zone is at or above eye level. There seems to be some evidence that they're more comfortable at that height.
nightanole
Chameleon Enthusiast
a 32x32 wouldnt fit through a lot of doors?
Or the 24 might be a limitation of the screen and frame. You dont see many window screens bigger than that, or if they do, they sag.
Or the 24 might be a limitation of the screen and frame. You dont see many window screens bigger than that, or if they do, they sag.
So many variables to cham keeping.. 
Klyde O'Scope
Chameleon Enthusiast
I'd be surprised if PAR went into it, though that's a good point, and a good reason to plan plants thoughtfully. I also like the tiered approach described here:
https://chameleonacademy.com/plants/
Another approach to enclosure size can be found here; if not for initial planning, then for a check:
http://www.anapsid.org/enclsize.html
You ain't lyinSo many variables to cham keeping..
Thatwizard420
Chameleon Enthusiast
Probably because that’s the max size of “chameleon cages” you can find
