Hey DZ,
personally ALL cammy's are pretty cool. Some folks swear by the veileds, some swear by the panthers, etc... But from my understanding, both of the latter are the most common, as they are the ones with the easiest life-requirements to meet.
Personally, I like the panthers the most. They tend to be a little smaller than the veileds (especially when they are first growing up), and tend to be a bit more colorful. But the catch is that panthers feel more comfortable in heavier foliage (which means more maintenance of the enclosure), and have higher humidity requirements.
As for their enclosure requirements, just think "H-I-G-H". If at all possible, make his enclosure so that he is looking "down on you" when perching or basking. (Unless you are a 6' foot person who has been doing that to other people himself). Ha ha.
I used 1.5" x 1.5" pieces pine to frame the enclosure, then 3/4" pine boards to cover the frame. (See the thread entitled, "MY NEW CAGE" down below). I like working with my hands, so I made it exactly like I wanted/designed it, as well as trying to meet all of my chameleon, Shoot's, living requirements. Some people don't like pine as it "oozes" oils that can be irritating to the critters- but I checked the pieces for "oil-lessness," and covered the entire interior with three coats of polyurethane. (Just make sure to let it air-out for two or three days to let the fumes dissipate).
May I also ask why you are choosing to "paint" the interior? Are you looking for a certain color or "look"? I guess it would be ok. Just make sure that it water-proofs the wood to protect it from the humidity and moisture of constant misting.
As for the screen material, I guess it depends on a few factor:
1) Are you placing the enclosure outside where more protection/security is needed against natural predators. (Will it need to be dog, cat, or bird-proof).
2) Are color and "looks" important. (Do you want it to match the color or stain of the wood).
3) Are you intending for "feeder insects" to run wild within the enclosure. (Crickets will eat holes in synthetic screen materials).
4) How large do you want the "squares" to be. (Standard screen mesh gives you 1/16" holes; standard wire cloth from Home Depot gives you 1/4" "squares," etc...
And there's are a few more factors that I cannot think about at this time. (Senior moments). Ha ha
As for foliage (interior greens)...well, that's entirely up to your taste. I like to keep things as natural as can be to satisfy my green-thumb. But then again (and more importantly), I think about what my chameleon, Shot, would most prefer - and that was my final decision-maker. I use FICUS TREES (which get's a little more complicated in chosing the right one, so contact me if'n you need a little more information on that), all types of IVY (which really helps to "fill-in" that empty space with the color green), and the common UMBRELLA PLANTS. There are a bunch of other ones that are safe for your critter, but just like your chameleon, figure-out what type of humidity and lighting will be in the enclosure to help choose the plant variety which will thrive in there. (They are living organisms as well).
And lastly...lighting. (I'm trying to answer all your questions, step-by-step). Make sure that you have proper bulbs for a good basking light (to warm them), as well as having a good UVB-producu=ing tube to help them metabolize the calcium they are intaking. (I was using the CHROMALUX from "LLL Reptile," but have since changed to the REPTISUN 5.0. (It rated the highest in pure UVB emmitance than all the rest, CHROMALUX included).
For a GREAT book on raising chameleons, purchase the one called, "CHAMELEONS: THEIR CARE AND BREDING" by Linda Davison. I have many reptile reference and care books on chameleons, but she covers what most of them do, and has the experience to back it up. She and her husband were the originator/owners of "Sticky Tongue Farms" (the largest chameleon breeding farm in the world), as well as being the originators of "MINER-ALL". I guarantee that you will save alot of money by purchasing this book, as it covers topics and information it would take various other books to cover.
Hope this helped, DZ!
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In Christ: Raymond
