The problem with free range....

Cjd713 said:
No, I was talking about when he was criticizing DJ's freerange
Click to expand...


:D :D , I was just adding my two cents. Who ever had that excuse that was directed at them. :p:D I really am not picking on anyone. Just providing what I do as hopefully a positive example for any newbie reading this thread.

Anyway , this thread has turned from intelligent conversation to bickering. I was hoping my example of a free range would help move the thread back in the right direction.
 
summoner12 said:
This was an issue in my first free range lol. I used squares of cardboard cut with a slit so the wires ran through the middle. The wires were to hang the lights and plants... If the cham climbed the cord he wouldn't be able to continue... Sorta like those domes you see on bird feeders to keep squirles from climbing up or down the post/wire and eating everything.
Click to expand...

Thats a Great idea. I was so lost trying to figure out what to do with those cables.
 
Ryan Jarosek said:
:D :D , I was just adding my two cents. Who ever had that excuse that was directed at them. :p:D I really am not picking on anyone. Just providing what I do as hopefully a positive example for any newbie reading this thread.

Anyway , this thread has turned from intelligent conversation to bickering. I was hoping my example of a free range would help move the thread back in the right direction.
Click to expand...

I understand :) You do have a really awesome freerange though. Those are some happy Mellers!
 
I have to say you people are all crazy. Take it how you want because what I mean is your all crazy.

When I put my chameleon in his "free range", which consists of a very large hibiscus tree, he does not move at all. He might adjust his temp by moving but he pretty much stays in the plant. He also does not like me. He knows that I bring the food, and so he will tolerate my presence. Now I do think that my "free range" is inadequate even if he doesn't move out of it. I think that there should be more space for him to move to if needed, and plenty of more plants. The point of free range is to recreate their environment, and their environment does not have just one shrub.

Also something to read if you really want to setup a great free range.
http://www.chameleonnews.com/?page=article&id=121

note the jungle like environment they are providing for their chams.
 
i dont know if this will be like throwing gas on the fire, but for those of you that are critisizing the free ranges, what are you thoughts on keeping chams in a cage? most members on this site keep their chams in cages that are no where near as large as most of these free ranges.

i mean, i would rather keep my cham in a equal sized area that isnt surrounded by screens. ive been seriously thinking about ditching my cage and putting all of the plants and vines that were in it on a window sill. it would be around the same size, except open to the rest of my room. assuming all husbandry is maintained would there be a problem to this? im not raising huge melleris or anything but my male veiled already much prefers just the one plant on this window sill to his cage that is about 2x2x4......
 
This is how a free range should be built....

There should be a frame work to hold plants. Just like a cage the frame should have drainage built into it to catch water run off. There should be something for the lights to hang from or sit on. The lights should not be accessible.

Trees in corners of rooms don't cut it. If you wanna be all natural and 'free' then as others have said, make it look like a real outdoor place they would live.
 
adam said:
i dont know if this will be like throwing gas on the fire, but for those of you that are critisizing the free ranges, what are you thoughts on keeping chams in a cage? most members on this site keep their chams in cages that are no where near as large as most of these free ranges.

i mean, i would rather keep my cham in a equal sized area that isnt surrounded by screens. ive been seriously thinking about ditching my cage and putting all of the plants and vines that were in it on a window sill. it would be around the same size, except open to the rest of my room. assuming all husbandry is maintained would there be a problem to this? im not raising huge melleris or anything but my male veiled already much prefers just the one plant on this window sill to his cage that is about 2x2x4......
Click to expand...

It really depends on the animal's needs, temperament, and household conditions. I would never tell every cham owner to ditch their cages because for plenty of people that is not an option. Most of my Melleri live in free ranges, but I do keep three in cages. Two of them are being quarantined until they are 100% free of parasites and one is too much of a runt and doesn't get enough food when housed with the others. I would like to be able to free range my veileds because they climb on the screen so much that they have torn several nails out, but their temperament is not conducive to free ranging.

You know your cham, husbandry needs, and household issues better than we do, so we can't tell you the right decision.
 
Im thinking in its life span I read it in a national geographic when I took reptile science in school I dont remember if it had a time frame it will travel but in a day that would have to be a fast chameleon.
 
DJ Richey Rich said:
Im thinking in its life span I read it in a national geographic when I took reptile science in school I dont remember if it had a time frame it will travel but in a day that would have to be a fast chameleon.
Click to expand...

Your "fact" is as good as made up if you can't remember vital details about it, let alone provide a source. I'm not aware of a single study that tracked any chameleon for its entire life time and provided data on traveling distance...

Chris
 
Chris, if you can access these documents, are you permitted to copy them with full credits for the benefit of those without access? I often find abstracts frustrating, would love to read so many of them.
Cheers :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Clovey__
Tail biting, free roaming, and random questions
Replies
2
Views
313
jpm995
J
IrohtheVeiled
Veiled Chameleon restless behavior/screenclimbing towards UVB strip
2
Replies
35
Views
2K
Nikkih08
Nikkih08
danfont
I just can't decide... Please help me choose my first Chameleon!
Replies
10
Views
1K
snitz427
snitz427
Mendez
More Baby Pygmy Chameleons!
Replies
10
Views
1K
Mendez
Mendez
Loki'smom
Insight / Similar experience with Cham death
Replies
6
Views
986
MissSkittles
MissSkittles
Back
Top Bottom