Chameleon Cage
Considerations In Building Or Buying A Chameleon Cage
Whether you are buying a chameleon cage or building one, you obviously want to get things right so your pet chameleon, or chameleons, will have a home in which they can be easily observable without becoming stressed, have room to roam, be safe and secure, and live in an environment suited to their needs for survival. One consideration that always needs to be taken into account when discussing pet housing is cleanliness. Your chameleon needs clean surroundings and you'll want a cage that is easy to clean and keep clean.
Not Too Small Please - The first mistake that many make is to get an enclosure that is too small, either in an attempt to save money, or due to a lack of understanding that a small chameleon needs a great deal more room than we tend to think it does, if it's to remain happy and healthy. Different species of chameleon come in different sizes of course, and one a foot long is obviously going to need much more room that will a 4" species. The little guy still needs are area of at least 4 square feet to roam around in, or a cage whose volume is 2' x 2' x 2' or 8 cubic feet. Height is important, as most chameleons like to climb, in which a cage 3' high would be even better. The best thing however, is to do some research on the species of chameleon you plan to house to ensure you'll get a chameleon cage having the right dimensions.
A high cage isn't going to do the chameleon much good if it doesn't have something to climb on, although if the sides of the cage are mesh they can always climb on that. Mesh sides are a poor substitute for plants, branches, or twigs however. Besides liking to climb, the chameleon needs a good perch, better yet a variety of perches to rest on or simply observe the world around it.
Glass Not Good - Speaking of mesh walls, a wire mesh material is superior to glass as far as the health of the chameleon is concerned. Air circulation will be improved of course, but the real reason for using something other than glass is that if the chameleon sees a reflection of itself, it will likely become stressed, and if the "intruder" doesn't go away, and it won't, your pet chameleon could eventually become stressed out and ill. So it really makes sense to have a chameleon cage that has mesh walls. A synthetic mesh might be fine for indoors. If you keep your chameleon outdoors or in a greenhouse, often a great environment, a sturdy mesh is needed, as well as a top, to keep predators out. The two main predators of note are rats and ants, both of which can give a chameleon a very hard time.
Environmental Considerations - Temperature and lighting are considerations you'll need to take into account, whether it's controlling the temperature and lighting inside the chameleon cage or simply a matter of placed the cage in the right location. Here again, knowing something about the species, especially about its native habitat is important. Some chameleons, like certain desert-dwelling species, like it hotter than we're really comfortable with so might require a heat lamp. Others will find room temperatures just fine. Still others may need humid conditions different from those in your living room. Just make certain that whatever your chameleon cage design is, it's capable of providing the conditions of light, warmth, and humidity the chameleon needs.
The chameleon is for the most part a delicate creature, and not always one that is successfully kept as a pet. You may find that getting a cage that adequately serves your pet's needs can be a little more complicated than you may have envisioned.