Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We are in the process of getting our cage built. We are going to use 2x2's of red oak, and have three sides in screen and the back in plywood (protect the wall from mistings)For screen we are going to use plastic coated hardware cloth, or anything else that is plastic or pvc coated. Resources are limited on Prince Edward Island, Canada, and we can't find any good sites to order it of the internet. The size of our enclosure is going to based on the tub we can find to catch the water at the bottom, and he'll have 4 feet of height to romp around in. What we need is some step by step instructions on how to go about this. I know we need to make frames, and attach them together, but where do we start? It's alot harder then we first thought.

Another question, when we put him in, since it is a larger enclosure, he is going to have a new ficus tree, and other plants added that he's never been around. Basically everything is going to be different. How long should it take him to adjust to the change?

Thanks alot in advance

Taralyn,

One way to get started quickly building a cage is to use metal "L" brackets. They are just "L" shaped pieces of metal that you can use to attach pieces of wood together at right angles (I've never been to Prince Edward Island, but most hardware stores have them). You can use these for the making the door as well. You can also drill holes and use wood screws to attach the pieces of frame together, however, you'll need a square to make sure the pieces are at right angles.

Many people use some sort of waterproof finish such as polyurethane or the new water-based sealers. These require several days of curing/airing time before it's safe to put a cham in there.

For attaching the screen to the frame, you can use a staple gun.

Some people build a stand to go under the cage that holds a tub for catching water. Mine has 1x3's on edge spaced a few inches apart so that it can hold up heavy plants, but still let water drain through. On top of the 1x3's, I have a layer of hardware cloth covered by a layer of petscreen, so the cham and bugs don't get into the water tub. The hardware cloth I have stapled to the stand, but the piece of screen in the bottom comes out for cleaning.

One good way to get started is practice with scrap pieces of wood and screen.

I don't remember what kind of cham you have? A veiled, I think? If the husbandry parameters are correct, it should only take a few days to become used to the new cage.

If you search the forum, (especially the Old Cham Forum) you'll find some good ideas.

hth,
Joel Fish

Thanks