Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I don't have a cham yet, but I have been doing some research because my husband has always wanted one. I was reading some caresheets, and some say that a baby can be kept in a aquarium, but as adults they should be kept in screen cages. I have a large 350 gallon screen cage, which I would set up for an adult (5x4x2). I wouldn't set it up until probably June or July, we have some renovating to do first. Would a three inch baby be ok in a 20 gallon tank with a screen lid until then? I plan on covering three of the sides so he would only see glass in the front.

Thanks for the help.
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Its not recommended that you use a glass aquarium, even if the chameleon is small. The large screen cage that you planned on using in June would still be too big if the chameleon your purchasing is currently 3 inches. It would be much safer to invest in a smaller screen enclosure that will be suitable for him/her for the next several months, until he has reached full maturity. I've attached a link that should give you an idea of the options that are available to you.

Vince
Link to info about housing a chameleon

Thanks for the info!

BTW, that site is about Jacksons, but I am getting a veiled. Is all the info still the same?
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The care for jax and veileds is quite different in terms of humidity and temps. Also, you could possibly use your big cage if you divide it to create a smaller area for your baby. As long as it can get close enough to the UV light, find food and water, and thermoregulate this can work. It would probably be simpler to invest in a smaller Reptarium...they are not expensive and will work fine for a temp cage. You mentioned that your big cage has a glass front? Glass will be a problem. Chams don't understand why they can't walk through it and they may paw and pace in front of it over and over. Also, once the cham reaches maturity their reflection will cause great stress. They will see either a competitor or a threat. Here is some good info on veileds and general cham care:

http://www.chameleonjournals.com

Ooops, I misread your message. Your screen cage will be a nice size for an adult! The glass you mentioned would be for the baby tank, right? Tanks are tricky as others have mentioned.

I used an aquarium for the first month when my vieled was small. I will never do it again. It is nearly impossible to provide a sutable temperature gradient in an aquarium. Fresh air flow is also a problem. Everytime I see a chameleon at a pet store in an aquarium it makes me sad. If either of you are handy, just build a small enclosure with materials from Home Depot.

First off,

I certainly hope that by "baby" you mean a cham that at least 3 months old. Please do not get a true "baby" cham as you are only asking for trouble. Baby chams are not suitable first chameleons. If you are waiting until July, get yourself a sub adult veiled or an adult veiled. They are cheap as subs and you will get much more enjoyment out of your first cham this way.

A side benefit, you can utilize your big cage for a sub adult and you dont have to worry about the wellbeing of the sub as much as you would for a "baby".
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Raf

1.2 Jacksons Adults (Frank, Patty, Lucille)
0.0.6 Jackson's baby
1.1 Nosy Be's (Mars and Roja)
0.1 Adult Sulcatta (POOPIE,I bought it from Victor at Kobey's in SD)
0.0.2 Baby Sulcattas (frick and frack)
1.0 Home's Hingeback Tortoise (SPEEDY, From Victor as well)
1.2 Red ear slider babies (Hingis, Dingis and Dorkus)
0.0.1 3 toed box turtle - No Name Yet
0.0.1 Gulf Coast Box Turtle - No Name Yet
1.0 Red Siberian Husky (Harley)
0.1 Black Lab (Krissy)
0.1 English Bulldog (Alice)
0.1 Blue Merle Great Dane (Wednesday)
Saltwater Fish and Inverts too