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Just in case you didn't know a terrarium is what your chameleon will be living in. It should consist of : Both types of lights, a basking area, the proper amount of branches and cover , proper feeding and watering systems, enough ventilation, and the right size terrarium.
Getting the right size terrarium can be tricky. In The New Chameleon Handbook by Francois Le Berre there is a method that is purposes to finding the LEAST size cage needed for you chameleon. It states "The size of the terrarium is based on the size of your chameleon. Use L as the length of the largest chameleon and 2L for a pair of chameleons. Interior dimensions can be calculated on the basis of the size of the chameleon(s):
| Length = 4L |
| Hight = 3L |
Example: A pair of 9" chameleons would need a cage
| 9 x 2 x 2 = 36 inches wide |
| 9 x 4 x 2 = 72 inches long |
| 9 x 3 x 2 = 54 inches high |
There is only one problem I fell is wrong with this chameleons love to climb. You should stand your terrarium on end so it will stand as tall as it can letting your chameleon climb as high as it wants.
Your terrarium need to have some ventilation so the heat doesn't get trapped in the cage and fry your chameleon, but be careful you don't want a breeze just a way for the air to move in and out. In other words don't have all six of the walls glassed in and don't put him next to a really big fan. If your chameleon cage is getting to hot try putting a light fan on at the bottom of the cage, but don't put it to close.
I would not suggest using glass as an enclosure because a chameleon does understand what glass is and will try to grab the sides and see things behind the glass and try to grab for them but will of course fail. This is stressful for the chameleon. I would use a screen terrarium. Some pet stores sell screen chameleon terrarium but if it is not the right size I suggest building one. This way you can get the perfect size terrarium for your chameleon.
Ever terrarium needs the proper amount of branches and cover. The chameleon needs some open areas and some dense hiding areas. you should have your branches so the chameleon can get to anywhere in the cage that it wants to. you should have branches leading to its watering system and its feeding systems also have branches leading to the basking area. You can use either live or plastic plants or vines in your terrarium the advantage of live is that it will provide a more realistic atmosphere and help regulate the right humidity of your terrarium, but make sure the plant you put in is not a plant that is poisonous to your chameleon. The advantage of plastic is you can put them anywhere you want making it easer to set up the terrarium the right way.
The basking area is a must in a terrarium it should be a place where the chameleon can easily rest and absorb heat it needs to be close to the heat lamp so your chameleon does no get cold. The basking area need to be hotter than what the rest of the cage is temperature on what the basking area should be for your species are in the species section.
Sickness | G-Information | Cleaning | FAQ
Sources: Chameleons By: W. Shmidt, K. Tamm, E. Wallikeity
True Chameleons By: Philippe de Vosjoli
The New Chameleon Handbook By: Francois Le Berre
