Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey guys,

I am considering getting back into Mellers Chameleons and would like to setup a free range/ cage sort of setup...Here is my idea...

Ok at the bottom of the cage there will be a 2 foot tall glass wall all around so the cham can not get out with an area of 4 feet by three feet

Then i will have lots of plants ex: Ficus trees and umbrella with lots of branches..but no walls

Would this idea work or could the chameleon get seriously hurt trying to get out? If you are confused just admit it and i will try to clarify!

Thanks in advance!
-----
eric

It might work, but for a melleri you would need a much bigger space. 3 by 4 feet isn't nearly large enough. Also, the wall barrier would need to be far enough from the trees so the cham couldn't let itself drop or jump off branches past the barrier. Make sure the edges of the glass are beveled. In the March 2003 issue of the Chameleon E-zine there is a description of a free range area for melleri. Might give you ideas. Go to

http://www.chameleonnews.com

I resently consulted my herp freind and he thinks it is too risky...i was gonna put the cage in my room, if the cham escaped he could get caught in all my musical wires and clothes on the floor..LOL..

Anyways im think of getting into rudis chameleons to breed them...

Hey chameleon news. com is a great site by the way!
-----
eric

Here is a free range setup I use to give you some ideas,
You could easily wall in the base to prevent escape.
One thing you have to watch out for is falls, adding blankets or similar around the perimeter works well. I use polycarbonate panels leaned against the wall to catch mist spray and channel into the bins, very low maintenance and easy to clean.

Would you please email me instuctions? i like the idea!
-----
eric

Wmemc5@aol.com...thanks!
-----
eric

Don't you just love those large Ficus alli? They make great structure for cham habitats! Much better than Ficus benjamina at least for larger chams. I've been seeing them a lot more at big box stores being sold as "tropical foliage".

Yea the ficus ali are great.. they look very exotic compared
to the old standard benjamina.
Eric, I'll email you some instructions on how to setup,
very easy.
garrett

i usually use ali for any cham becuse they have sturdy branches...When i kept mellers chams, they were the only plant that could thrive in those light conditions and the chams were unable to break the branches...Mellers are VERY big chameleons and can easily snap a benjimina bracnh no prob...
-----
eric