Chameleon Enclosure

[aoifetanty]

I'm thinking about getting a chameleon soon, but the look and price of exo terra flexariums dont appeal to me!! I am going to build my own enclosure but need some advice... I would prefer a yemen chameleon but would get a pair of pygmy's if the following enclosure isnt suitable for a Yemen.

I will be converting a bookcase by removing the shelves and making a door out of wire mesh. The only mesh I can get is very strong and sturdy and the little cubes each measure 1cm squared. I dont think that the chameleon will get out but I just want to make sure it would be OK. The enclosure will then measure 31 inches high, 36 inches wide and 11 inches deep. There is 2 drawers above the enclosure for storing food and supplies. The uv lamp and basking lamp will be fitted. I will leave a tiny bit of shelving as a feeding shelve. Bamboo, vines and potho's will be added also

-The Door- This will be the mesh mentioned above, sandwiched between 2 panels of wood. It will be on hinges on one side and a lock on the other side

If anyone could let me know what I can/cant do with this, I would greatly appreciate it


Aoife x

[aoifetanty]

Anyone?

[stuartdouglas]

1cm square mesh will be too big, a cham could easily get a foot through that and get trapped. Black flyscreen mesh is ideal, it won't allow food to escape and it won't be intrusive to look at. Plus, 11 inches deep is not enough. A yemen can be that long itself so would only just be able to turn round in that space.

[RALFERS08]

Hi the enclosure you have got planned will not be big enough for a adult Yemen it needs to be 4ft high x 2ft wide x 2ft deep minimum. Also the mesh used is pretty big i would go for something smaller as live prey like crickets will be able to escape through it. Sorry to give you all bad news but better to find out now i guess

[aoifetanty]

Thank You !!!! Yeah its a bit of Bad news but better now than later

I will build a proper veiled enclosure!!

Aoife x

[retri]

Originally Posted by RALFERS08

Hi the enclosure you have got planned will not be big enough for a adult Yemen it needs to be 4ft high x 2ft wide x 2ft deep minimum. Also the mesh used is pretty big i would go for something smaller as live prey like crickets will be able to escape through it. Sorry to give you all bad news but better to find out now i guess

I would say a minimum for a chameleon is 3ft high, but agree that ideally it should be 2ft deep

[RALFERS08]

Good luck with the enclosure it will make keeping your cham happy and healthy so much easier if you get the set up correct from the start. I know you have said your not keen on the look of flexi's but have you seen them with lights and plants in they look very different to the pics of them empty and are real good value for money i keep all my chams in them i think it makes a ideal living space as they can climb all the sides making full use of the whole enclosure and are not just restricted to climbing on a plant you would have in the middle if you use a solid sided viv. Its all down to personal choice though there are pro's and con's to all types just bear in mind Yemens require excellent ventilation so you really need a mesh top as well as the door being mesh if you build a wood one so the air can flow through it easily.

[LiamRatSnake]

Maybe people could post links to things like mesh as it can be hard to find.

[aoifetanty]

Thanks everyone I will consider getting a flexarium!!


Aoife x

[Slofe]

If it's just the look you're bothered about you can get some pretty smart looking screen cages imported from America at LLLreptile.com The one on my recent thread is from them. They a wee bit wobbly but that's probably more down to my complete cack handedness rather than the actual cage itself! Mine was about £60 including postage from the states and it got through customs unscathed . Mind you this was a few months ago while the £ was still kicking the crap out the $.