Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I plan on getting a baby Chamaeleo calyptratus (veiled chameleon) from FLchams soon.

I am doing research on their care and am learning quite a bit.

I plan on providing a 2'x2'x4' cage when he is an adult. But I know that he would have trouble finding food, water, basking spots, etc in such a large cage so I am going to get him a smaller screen terrarium to start in.

I plan on getting a silver Instacage (a magnetic screen cage: http://www.magnaforceindustries.com/mainpage.html) for my baby chameleon.

I will either get the "medium" Instacage, which is 12"x12"x18", or the "large" Instacage, that is 17"x17"x26". I don't care how long if it lasts long for him because I'll be buying the adult cage soon after I get him, I just need to know which one it will be best to start him in. When I get him, he'll be about three to four inches in snout-to-vent-length. And at what size/length/age should I upgrade him to the adult sized cage?

Thanks.
-----
0.1.0 Eublepharis macularias
0.1.0 Rhacodactylus ciliatus
1.0.0 Cricetulus grisues
2.0.0 Betta splendens

Did you ask FL Chams what they would suggest? Maybe the smaller cage as he won't be in it all that long and it would be less expensive. Another option is a Reptarium with a soft tray for drainage.

I checked out FLChams web site again, and they have next to the 3 1/2 inch (that is the size I want, their smallest) veiled chameleons recommended cage size is 16"x16"x30". So I'll go with the 17"x17"x26". And I'll upgrade him to his 2'x2'x4' once he is about 15" in total length. Does this sound good?
-----
0.1.0 Eublepharis macularias
0.1.0 Rhacodactylus ciliatus
1.0.0 Riopa fernandi
2.0.0 Betta splendens

I think you'll find he can use the larger cage sooner than that. He may get very restless and start climbing the cage sides most of the time. If you use a feeding bin rather than let the feeders free roam the cage you won't have to worry about him finding his food in a larger cage. Free roaming insects lose their gut contents and dust pretty fast and spend most of their time hiding. At night there's the chance that a hungry cricket will chew on your cham as it sleeps. I like using an opaque flexible plastic storage box as a feeding bin. The insects can move around and attract his attenion, he can climb down to the rim of the box to shoot which will keep his tongue exercised and give him a more natural hunting opportunity. Wedge the box in the branches of a live plant and sprinkle a bit of gutload in it to keep the insects full.

I usually feed my reptiles their crickets by hand anyway. So do you think a three inch chameleon would be okay in the 4'x2'x2'?
-----
0.1.0 Eublepharis macularias
0.1.0 Rhacodactylus ciliatus
1.0.0 Riopa fernandi
2.0.0 Betta splendens