Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know that all screen cages are best for chameleons, but if i want to keep substrates such as aspen bedding, orchid bark, or some kind of substrate for humidity, how would all of that stay in with an all screen cage. I'd like to keep live plants in with my chameleon. How would i make the bottom 4 inches stay intact and not make a mess, since theres nothing to hold all that in with an all screen cage? Does anyone have a solution for this?

I wouldn’t use substrate at all for about a billion reasons. You are not going to generate a noticeable amount of humidity either with it - well maybe a tad but there are far better ways to add humidity other then using substrate. I would look into an ultrasonic humidifier and maybe route it to the cage with PVC piping. Bins of water near the cage can help too. As for plants – leave them in the pots. I put plants on small stands in the cage to elevate them and to make cleaning the cage floor easier.

-roo

So, when you mist your chameleon, doesn't the water all just end up on the bottom of the cage and leak out? I know that there's other ways to hold humidity, but shouldn't there be something on the bottom of the cage.....I hear a lot of people say they just put newspaper on the bottom of the cage. Does anyone have pictures of their screen cage setups, so i can get more of a feel for what i want to do? Thanks for all the help.

My cage sits on a rack - an old table would work too if you are willing to drill a hole in it. My cage has a plastic bottom and I cut a hole in the center with a hole saw about 4 inches wide - glued some screening there as well to keep critters from getting out. Under that there is a funnel that drains into a bucket. That black aquare thing is just some 2x2's screwed together with some thick plastic lining. The purpose of it is to catch water streaming down the sides/corners of the cage. 95% of the water drains in the center of the cage into the bucket - the weight of the plants makes the water pool towards the center.

-roo
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I silicone the bottom onto the cage. Then I'll let it cure a few days before using it. This keeps water from leaking out.
Roo said not to use any substrate 'cause it holds too much humidity. This is true, but you never said what cham species you have. Some of them require high humidity. However, if you have veileds or panthers- no substrate.
Substrates can easily host unwanted bacteria & mites as well. You can just as easily decorate your cage eloborately with fake plants. And they can be disinfected at you regularly scheduled cleaning.
Cricket