Chameleon Set-up

[Jotun]

I was just curious to know a good set up on a veil chameleon would be and if anyone had some care sheets on them. Also about how much does the chameleon and setup cost? One last question, are they hard to take care of? Thanks :)

[Laurier]

veileds are easy to take care of. i have a picture in the photogallery of my veiled set up and it cost me around 140 once everything was said and done, that was without the chameleon. I just finished building another enclosure andit cost me 100 bucks without the plants or lights. caresheets, i believe there is one linked on kingsnake, not to sure about it but there is alot of cool books that are really good.

Laurier

[Jaylyn]

Laurier's posted this already - but the absolute BEST place to go for information on chams is www.adcham.com . They list other good references and go from there. But research, research and research. I like Linda J. Davidson's book, "Chameleons: Their Care and Breeding". You can get it through Chapters or Amazon.ca. It's fairly recent so you get alot of good information (like cooling and cutting back food for young female veileds, etc). Stuff that wasn't out there before. If you want a more comprehensive book - Petr Necas' "Chameleons: Nature Hidden Jewels" is excellent, but expensive.

We built our own enclosures - it was hard to find something attractice and would work with the large volumes of water we use. Other than your cage - UV lights, heat light(s), dripper (can make your own), hand/garden sprayer, plants, humidifier or fogger.

Good Luck!

Jaylyn

[Laurier]

thanks jaylyn,

i kind of forgot all about adcham. thanks

Laurier

[Jotun]

i hate to be a bother but either one of you have some pics of some enclosures, i'm a good visual learner :) i also need an idea on how much the enclosure will take up. Thanks :D

[Laurier]

hey,

here is a pic of my veiled enclosure

<IMG SRC="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/504/197veiledenclosure-med.jpg">

[Jotun]

oh that's not bad at all! just a question on the wire though, pardon the expression but doesnt that get a bit drafty?

[Vattica]

Screen enclosures are a bit more of a challenge to keep the humidity at high levels, however, they are the preferred housing method for all arboreal chams. They help keep the respiratory infections and mold down. Mold can be quite an issue due to the high volume of water used.

Leah

[Jaylyn]

I'll try to get a pic of mine up soon. Hubbie has a plan for some inexpensive ones that will stand up to the water - I'll post them as soon as he's done!

Jaylyn

[sungazer]

i totaly agree with vattica if there is a big problem with them getting dyhraded just get a foggar(expensive though)

[wonder_chunky]

i had my male and female veileds in here...it's split in two...theres a divider in the middle...

[Laurier]

hey,

depending on what species you getting depends on the amount of humidity. if you getting a veiled or a panther thay don't mind the 40 - 60% humidty (i ussually have a humidifier going for 4 hours a day). You need screen enclosures for all chameleons. they need lots of air cirqualtion. most experienced keepers keep there lowland and there montane species in different rooms. but if you are in a large area where the room doesn't get hot its easy to keep the chameleons in the same room. the screen i used is probably the best you can use, but i dishfeed so crickets aren't a problem when it comes to the escaping.

[Jaylyn]

I use the "Mist Maker" for humidity. The cheapest I've seen it is at Lee Valley Tools (around $55). No tubes - so no time consuming disinfecting!

Jaylyn