review my cage

mapleheart_cats

New Member
I'm a new owner and was wanting to know if my cage is ok or if it is not ok. The cage is about 120 gallons. It is about 1.5 feet tall with plenty of roaming space. I want my Chameleon to be happy so just be brutally honest. Thank you so much ❤


Pictures of the cage and of the feeder cage.
 

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Welcome on here! Sadly, everything is incorrect in his cage (including his cage) and it needs to be replaced ASAP, as all of it can cause serious health issues. Read through every module in this link, as it has the most up to date and accurate chameleon care. I’ll start linking correct things to get!
https://chameleonacademy.com/chameleon-husbandry-program-getting-started-with-chameleons/
Ok what is the most dire things being needed to change so I can get that done right away
 
Cage: https: https://www.chewy.com/zoo-med-reptibreeze-reptile-cage/dp/344873 (this is the bare minimum, the recommended cage size for veileds is 4’x2’x4’ tall or bigger)
UVB fixture and bulb: https://www.reptilebasics.com/t5-light-fixtures-kits/arcadia-prot5-uvb-kit-36-with-bulb/ (get the 6% bulb, you’ll replace the bulb yearly. Place this fixture diagonally across the top of the cage, you can link it with the plant light using a jumper so both lights can go off of one outlet. You want the uvb bulb to be 8-9” away from the basking branch)
Plant light: https://www.reptilebasics.com/led-reptile-lighting/jungle-dawn-34-51-watt/ (place it diagonally across, next to the uvb fixture)
Heat bulb: https://exo-terra.com/products/lighting/heat-lamps/ (start with 60 watt and adjust if needed, can go in your current light set up; the bulb should be 9”+ away from the basking branch)
Phosphorus-free calcium without D3: https://www.reptilebasics.com/supplements/arcadia-earthpro-ca-100g/ (use every feeding except for once every two weeks, when you’ll use a multivitamin with D3 instead)
Multivitamin with D3: https://www.rainbowmealworms.net/repashy-calcium-plus-lod/ (use once every two weeks)
 
Cage: https: https://www.chewy.com/zoo-med-reptibreeze-reptile-cage/dp/344873 (this is the bare minimum, the recommended cage size for veileds is 4’x2’x4’ tall or bigger)
UVB fixture and bulb: https://www.reptilebasics.com/t5-light-fixtures-kits/arcadia-prot5-uvb-kit-36-with-bulb/ (get the 6% bulb, you’ll replace the bulb yearly. Place this fixture diagonally across the top of the cage, you can link it with the plant light using a jumper so both lights can go off of one outlet. You want the uvb bulb to be 8-9” away from the basking branch)
Plant light: https://www.reptilebasics.com/led-reptile-lighting/jungle-dawn-34-51-watt/ (place it diagonally across, next to the uvb fixture)
Heat bulb: https://exo-terra.com/products/lighting/heat-lamps/ (start with 60 watt and adjust if needed, can go in your current light set up; the bulb should be 9”+ away from the basking branch)
Phosphorus-free calcium without D3: https://www.reptilebasics.com/supplements/arcadia-earthpro-ca-100g/ (use every feeding except for once every two weeks, when you’ll use a multivitamin with D3 instead)
Multivitamin with D3: https://www.rainbowmealworms.net/repashy-calcium-plus-lod/ (use once every two weeks)
I have one with d3 and I will for sure get all of these as soon as possible. Thank you so much
 
Safe plant list: https://chameleonacademy.com/plants/ (use veiled tested only. Wash off entire plant and roots with either Dawn dish soap or Physan, rinse very, very, very well, then repot in organic potting soil, and cover the exposed soil with rocks too big for him to eat before placing the plants in the cage)
Automatic mister: https://www.chewy.com/mistking-v50-starter-misting-system/dp/335744 (if you can afford it)
Hand mister: https://www.amazon.com/CHAPIN-20002-Gallon-Sprayer-Translucent/dp/B0039EEN0M/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1M1112SDPIADF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.tpzUY0rypfLJwdFCfxRwG4g5sRcy5HcZQ5JY6ySS3PJpt8dZcbuBERasbbccOuxbbeNs0lSz_hfMzM_UUAiKNedL7bqdNnOPhkuNGE5wfMsdqe5yfaTpBu2Z2lmT5XtHPZlWHk8iXIj8x1GrBE66gQ_Y5Ww__xvHDbwDxkj9DKr9RAqjlT2VL_K231JHyhWwmeSZlIa_o896Ht_4S_X4HM9-MuIKGoxFK5VlDD2MCPouUbhqZO7Gpjd-LN0FxQnKvEm_Pl1q6wtOWVzaRGYSMrBiVbqwnrG9O4iMrBSoADA.EGgkIb45V-44Ayz1e4nLN4J6rf4m9QCmxDzVbcqWHWs&dib_tag=se&keywords=pressure+pump+sprayer&qid=1731374995&sprefix=pressure+pump+sprayer,aps,166&sr=8-5&th=1
Probed digital thermometer: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BXP3XLLR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1 (place the probe at the top of your cham’s back when he’s on his basking branch, you want it 80*F there right now. You can connect this one to your phone to get constant info throughout the day and night, along with max and min temps and humidity levels. You want daytime humidity levels to be between 30-50%)
Digital thermometer/hygrometer combos: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0872V9WJ5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (place one near the top of the cage and one near the bottom. These are also smart and connect via Bluetooth)
 
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For branches, you can buy them online, but it’s cheaper and quicker to harvest some from pesticide free areas. Safe trees include oak, maple, birch, manzanita, crepe myrtle, any hardwood/non-toxic and non-sap producing trees. Scrub and wash really well with Dawn dish soap and hot water, then rinse really really well and let air dry before putting them in the cage

For vines, you can use real or fake, just no Exo Terra or moss vines

For timers for lights, you can get basic analog timers from Walmart, Amazon, any home improvement store, etc. or smart ones from Amazon

If your nighttime temps get down to 65*F or lower, you can fog. You can either buy a cool mist fogger or make your own

Here’s some more helpful links:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/building-trust-with-your-chameleon.2396/ (trust building blog)
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/drainage-systems-for-cages-get-creative.102038/ (drainage system ideas)
http://www.muchadoaboutchameleons.com/2012/04/how-to-set-up-proper-chameleon.html (cage set up link)
https://chameleonacademy.com/setting-up-a-chameleon-cage/ (cage set up link)
https://chameleonacademy.com/veiled-chameleon-care/ (most up to date veiled care sheet, though basking temps are for adult male veileds only, humidity can be lower during the day- 30-50%, and feeder amounts are incorrect, use this post as a schedule: https://www.chameleonforums.com/thr...ew-veiled-chameleon-owner.193901/post-1815648 )
Feeding cups:
https://dragonstrand.com/constructing-a-chameleon-feeder-run/ (diy feeder run- knitting mesh is a better option for the climbing surface)
https://tkchameleons.com/collections/accessories/products/shooting-gallery (Large or small; Rainbow Mealworms also sells these)
https://www.fullthrottlefeeders.com/feedercups (I’ve made a diy version of this with pvc pipe and knitting mesh)
https://sunsetchameleons.com/product/chameleon-feeder/
 
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