Size question

[Tortdad]

so I made a deal with someone on Craigslist for a barn style china hutch that I'm converting into an enclosure. This is my 1st chamelon so do don't want to mess mess it up. I've seen other people section off there enclosure to make it smaller cuz there chamelon is a baby.

Is here such a thing as too big an enclosure for a baby? I've attached a pic of the hutch I'm using.... should I do something different while it's a baby and lit it in the new enclosure after it's grown? I'd rather not built 2 enclosures but I've never heard of anyone saying, hey... that too big. I should be fine as long as temps and humidity are correct.... right???

 

[LucyLoo]

I'm still pretty new to chameleons myself, but when I was first setting up my girl I read opinions on here for both sides in different threads.

I think it would really depend on how you feed your cham; if the enclosure is too big and you free range the feeders a baby might have a harder time finding them. Maybe you can cup feed some of the feeders so you know he or she is eating and then leave a few for hunting (which is what I do with my now adult cham anyways for exercise/excitement)?

Hopefully one of the more experienced keepers will chime in if I'm wrong or missed the point of a smaller enclosure (not sure if it's stress related etc.). That's an awesome cabinet; I can't wait to see your build!

 

[jamest0o0]

You can go as big as you want. A healthy baby will find the food. It's actually pretty amazing how good they are at hunting bugs. You'd think feeders could hide from them, but no... those 360 degree eyes see ALL.

 

[Carlton]

You could always subdivide the large enclosure temporarily for your baby...maybe put in a removable screen panel to restrict the feeders' hiding areas. Or, set him up in a smaller screen cage. Something like a pop-up wire frame mesh butterfly cage. That Mantis Place has different sizes and styles of these and they are not pricey. Or, a pop-up laundry hamper with a side zipper opening would work too. The nice thing about young chams....they are not destructive and don't need to burrow. Set up a potted live plant, hang lighting, hand mist (if that works for your schedule), and you can house a juvenile until he grows up.