Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello...
I've been keeping herps for just about a year now, and after moving some things around, I have a spare cage. And my fiancee loves chameleons.

The cage is custom made by myself, and is basically a box of melamine shelving with a plexiglass front and a wire top. It is 20" long, 12" deep, and 24" high.

A friend of mine has ( I think ) a flapneck cham, which he is going to breed. Whatever specie he has, it's small...and that's good! So I was thinking of keeping that or a leaf chameleon. ( I still have reading to do, but first the cage question. )

Now I know cham's shouldn't be kepts in glass cages...but I was never really told why. Reflection was mentioned, as was ventilation.

Well, the cage I just mentioned.....if I cut out the large portion of the sides and filled it in with a nylon mesh ( or wire? ) would it be suitable for any specie of chameleon?

Thank you...
-Zeb

its not just reflection , its also airflow. screen all all sides would optimize this.

That cage will be too small for most chameleons, especially the more arboreal species including flapnecks. It would probably work for pygmy or leaf chameleons and you could leave some of the glass in place. Arboreal chams have problems with glass both because of reflections of themselves (if the lighting happens to be just right), but also because they just don't learn why they can't get through the glass. They will paw on the glass for hours and get stressed. Also, ventilation can be a problem, but glass tanks don't provide enough of a temp and humidity gradient. They tend to get too warm. If you want to use this cage you will most likely have better luck with Rhampholeon or Brookesia chams. For species info go to www.adcham.com, www.chameleonnews.com, or www.calumma.com. Also, you will need to seal the wood against moisture or it will rot.

Zeb,

It really depends on the species of chameleon and at what age. The thing about chameleons, is that one cage isn't going to satisfy them forever. As they grown, you have to accomidate them.
Chameleons would rather be alone. Other chameleons and YOU make their life stressful, they will live long doing their own little chameleon thing. Thats why glass is such a no-no. They see a reflection, they think it's another chameleon, and they either defend their territory or flee. If it's all glass, they will never be able to flee their own reflection. AND I have never seen a chameleon defeat it's own reflection.
Also, glass prohibits air-flow in and out of the cage. With stagnant, moist air,- respiratory infection is just waiting to happen.

Also important, keeping a temp gradient in the enclosure as well as maintaining humidity.

Whatever species you decide to go with, take a look at where they are from, and try to mimic their homeland.
How much does it rain, what are the daytime temps-nighttime temps. What is the humidity, etc.

The closer you can get to what their body was designed to thrive in, the healthier they will be.

One more thing, about the wooden cage.

Wood has pores, which absorb water. You want to make sure that water doen't absorb into the wood. This can cause a bacteria build up that can cause problems. If you do treat the wood, make sure it isn't something that will harm the animals. Your cham may lick a bead of water off the treated wood.

The tank has been water treated with the same stuff I used for my water dragon....

but I guess from what your saying is that the reflection from the acrylic makes this not work out for me.

The wood treatment shouldn't produce enough reflection, I was saying that glass was an issue.
Angled lighting produces a mirrored image on plain glass. A basking light would create this situation on glass.
The wood treatment should be ok as lonk as it doesn't leave a toxic residue.