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Husbandry:

Enclosures

Lighting

Hydration

Humidity

Feeders

How To Video

Enclosures The best enclosures for arboreal chameleons are lightweight aluminum screened cages. They are well-ventilated and with the right materials they can be modified to suit any species of chameleon. There are some who have used glass enclosures with some success but unless you can address issues such as water drainage and adequate ventilation , it's is much easier to go with aluminum screened cages. It is not necessary to purchase everything the pet store recommends. Substrate is not recommended for most chameleons. A chameleon set up can be very simple and some items you might be able to find in your own yard. The elements of a good chameleon set-up: * Ventilation * Privacy * Temperature gradient * Light gradient * Real plant with sturdy branches and additional horizontal perches * Drip/Drainage system * UVB
Small Cage Set-up This is a small screened cage set up I use for very small species. The back and side screens are covered with coconut fiber which is secured in place by zip ties. You could use a clear silicon between the screen and the coconut fiber to keep it in place. The fiber creates a humid environment and minimizes drafts. It is also better for the chameleons to climb on. The plants in this particular cage include a bonsai style Ficus benjamina with live moss covering the dirt, and an air plant. I have also used Texas Privet from my yard. It is a durable plant. Perches made from clippings were arranged at different levels. A chameleon can perch higher or lower in the cage depending on sun (or basking light) exposure or if they want to retreat to the shade. On the floor of the cage, there is a large piece of cork bark and the area around the bonsai pot is filled in with sphagnum moss. This is to help maintain humidity. The little buddah is just for fun.
Medium to Large Cage Set-up This size-group of cages would account for anything smaller than a walk-in size. A well established tree with thick branches will provide sturdy walk ways for your chameleon. It is easier to buy a shefflera or ficus that is too big and trim it to fit, than it is to wait for one to grow big enough. Both shefflera and ficus are flexible so if you're careful, they can be manipulated into creating perches or providing support for tree cuttings that can be attached with zip ties. Shown here is a cage that is 2 feet wide x 2 feet deep x 4 feet tall. It sits on a rack about 2 feet off the ground. Chameleons find security in perches that are set above a person's head. So if you can manage to give your chameleon at least one perch that is above your eyesight, your chameleon will appreciate it.
I first saw this idea used in a cage that Steve Sims brought to our SBCK meeting, It works with just about any size branch. The one shown here is over an inch in diameter and is held in place by two thumbtacks through the screen at each end. This branch is in the cage just above.
Large Cage Set-up . . .
Egg Layin Bin A large nursery pot can be used as an egg laying enclosure. Some chameleons prefer to bury their eggs near or within the roots of a shrub. The leaves of a plant provide a place for the female to hide. Some of the smaller species will prefer this. I use a mixture of peatmoss, washed sand and soil. A dripper can sit over the enclosure as well as any UV lighting or spot bulbs. Ventilation is important to keep the enclosure from getting too warm.

Baby Cages Separating babies into their own enclosures allows you to monitor them individually and minimizes aggression towards one another. The rack shown at the right is set on large rubber casters that allow it to be moved in and out of the sun. Large plastic containers on the top serve as drippers. Butterfly cages are excellent for many reasons. very lightweight easy to clean easy to monitor chameleon with clear front. keeps tiny feeders in keeps most ants out stores flat when not in use You can find these cages in our store.
Lighting Please read this Special Report before you purchase lighting.
Hydration
Humidity


Feeders
We feed our chameleons crickets, superworms, houseflies, dubia roaches, fruitflies, silkworms and sometimes moths. FRUIT FLIES Fruit flies are good to have when you are raising neonates or the smallest chameleon species. They are eaten by chameleons up to about 15 grams in size, give or take a few. There are two species that are widely available as flightless, the D. hydei and the D. melanogaster. We are trying a new media recipe for better D. hydei cultures: Bring the following ingredients to a boil: 2 cups water 2 cups vinegar 1/8th cup Dark molasses 1/2 can of grape juice concentrate 2-3 overripe mushed up bananas Remove from heat and add the following dry ingredients: 1/2 cup malt of meal 2/3 cup potato flakes 1/3 cup Brewers Yeast (the key ingredient) Divide equally into 12 delicups. Add a tiny pinch of active dry yeast to the top of media. Add a small amount of excelsior (the fruit flies climb on this) or use coffee filters if you cannot get excelsior. When the media is completely cool, add 25 to 50 fruit flies to each cup and close it up with the ventilated lid. Write the date on each cup and store at 75-80°F and you will see new larvae or flies in about two weeks depending on the species you are breeding. With D. melanogaster, you may see larvae in the culture within a week. D. hydei take a little longer. The culture will continue to produce fruit flies for weeks until the media is gone or dries up.
COCKROACHES Blaptica dubia

Plants for Chameleon Cage I'm working on this section (4/2010). New videos have been added below in the How To section.
Preparing Your Plant When you are shopping around for a new Ficus, look for one that is larger than the cage it will go in. You will need to thin out the tree so having a much bigger tree to start off with will result in a much nicer looking plant that is a better fit for the cage.
Most nurseries spray their plant stock with pesticides. No matter where you purchase your plant from, it is good practice to clean the plant before you use it for your chameleon's enclosure. You can use a large tub and fill it with soapy water. Swish the leaves and branches of the entire plant around in the water. Repeat the process a few times. Rinse the plant by standing it upright and spraying it for a few minutes with a garden hose. Let the plant air dry. . . . updating
How To Videos

...still working on this page and will be adding to it as time permits.