Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a chameleon and fully understand the reason not to put a baby in a large cage as it may not find its food (foliage, area, not hunters like bd's). But now that I am getting my 75 gallon tank and was planning on waiting to put Darwin in it, or using a divider, I began to wonder why he cannot go in such a large tank now? He certainly won't have trouble finding/getting his food (quite the racer!) and frankly, I figure it gives him a lot more room to run around. So what are the reasons not to put him in a big tank now? He's almost 4 months and 9 1/2" long.

thanks!
lele

(hope this isn't a stupid question where I will just think "duh" and slap my head after someone answers! lol!!)
-----
0.1 Veiled Chameleon - Luna
1.0 Beardie - Darwin
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Lita
0.1 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula - Rosa Leigh
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha

Chameleon Help & Resource Info

I think the main reasons are stress from such a large enclosure and not finding food. But, if he's a good hunter and enjoys the room, why not? I don't see any reason not to put him in either. Just keep an eye on Darwin...you can always move him back if he seems stressed. But I don't see a problem. Plus....it's not like he's a really tiny guy. I love the pics you posted of him!
-Nicky
-----
We chase misprinted lies
We face the path of time
And yet I fight...
And yet I fight
This battle all alone
No one to cry to
No place to call home
-Alice In Chains-
1.1 Bearded Dragons: Gordo & Chiquita
2.2 Cats: Zeus, Remi, Kiki & Delilah

i put my aphrodite in a 2'x4'x2' cage when she was about 7 inches long. if they aren't hunting around....like in the case of my aphrodite...i ended up feeding her by hand. It took forever to feed her, i never had to worry about her eating sand, and by the next six months i was a master cricket catcher. the drawback of feeding her like this...and this is three years later...i still have to hand feed her. she is lazy and if i drop a cricket in front of her, she watches it run away and then looks back at me for the next cricket. she's my prissy little princess, but in turn we havw a great relation.

At his size he should be ok in a 75gallon. I would keep something handy to divide it just in case.
-----
0.1 Bearded dragon
0.1 mexican Black kingsnake
1.1 Leopard Gecko's
0.0.1 Tokay Gecko
1.0 Blue Tongue Skink
0.0.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn
0.1 Anerythristic Corn
0.0.1 Red Tegu
0.1 Bullmastiff
4.1 Cats

Darwin is a hunter so I think he'll have fun running around and I'm looking forward to furnishing it! lo!

I use a paper towel/plastic canvas combo at bottom of cage so cleaning is easy. Think I'll steer clear of sand until he is fully grown.

thanks again! I'll post pix once I have it all together!
-----
0.1 Veiled Chameleon - Luna
1.0 Beardie - Darwin
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Lita
0.1 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula - Rosa Leigh
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha

Chameleon Help & Resource Info

lele, did you get him in there yet? I'm in the same predicament as you haha Drayko has a pimped out 55g tank waiting for him. I just need a stand for it. I'd really like to keep him in there but i'm not sure yet. I'll probably wait a little longer as i'm not really in a rush.

I got those silkies the week before last week (200ct) and i had to order more today. Hes being a pig! and thats feeding him crix before bed too!

oh and i also moved to the paper towl idea in his 10 gallon. I did just what you mentioned a couple posts ago. I cut plastic canvas to size and i just wrap it in paper towels. Works awesome! I have tons of PC at home too because i make my own filter cartridges for my fish tanks