Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i've had this chameleon for roughly a week, and i think it's doing very well, but i was wondering if this is enough plant cover for him?

i'm thinking of adding one more plant so he can hide a little better.

I think if it were me I would add one more plant....and I'd make it a real one to help with the humidity. If you chose to use a real one, make sure that the plant is non-toxic (so that if the insects eat it the chameleon doesn't end up poisoned). Make sure that you wash both sides of the leaves and I would cover the soil in the pot with stones that are too large for the chameleon to ingest. Some soils cause impactions if they are ingested.

Just my opinion!
Hope he does well for you!

thanks for the tips

i have 4 real plants in the bottom of the cage and plastic lining on the sides and back that help hold in the humidity, so i dont think i have a problem there. i went out and got a fake plant that i stuck to the top of the entire thing. it doesn't really do much except block the basking spot from view from the room the cage is in, so i think that makes the chameleon feel more secure in its environment.

currently i'll put 2 or 3 crickets in the cage to feed him, i've heard of some people using cups to put the food insects in. i tried it but i'm not sure how much he liked it.

any ideas/suggestions? is it okay to just let 2 or 3 crickets roam around in the 22 gal. enclosure?

thanks
-russ

I always free-range all my insects in my chameleon cages. Many people say that it makes the tongue lazy to cup-feed....and the chameleon generally doesn't get as much exercise when cup-fed either as when it has too hunt down the insects.

Because I free-range the insects I try not to put in more than what the chameleon should eat so that there aren't many left uneaten to nibble on the chameleon. I put a lid of greens/veggies/fruit in the bottom of the cage so that the crickets will be somewhat gutloaded until they are eaten.

Again...just my opinions...