Ideas for a Chameleon Cage

Chameleons are difficult pets to care for. Their environment needs to be carefully controlled, though building or purchasing the enclosure is an expensive and time-consuming task. Imitating its original environment with the proper lighting, heat, humidity and plants provides the highest level of comfort to ensure you pet has a long and happy life.

  1. Enclosures

    • Screen cages with five sides work best for chameleons by providing proper airflow and lack of reflection. If placed in a glass enclosure, chameleons will see their own reflection and view it as a potential threat. Choose coated screen and avoid fiberglass or aluminum screens, which may cause foot injuries. Select an enclosure that is a minimum of 2 by 2 feet. Vertical cages (higher in height than width) provide an additional level of comfort for the chameleon. Place the cage on a table or hang from a secure fixture away from high traffic areas and other pets. Avoid areas with drafts. Check for any sharp edges or holes in the screens before placing the chameleon inside the enclosure.

    Lighting

    • Avoid placing the enclosure in direct sunlight, as it will be too hot for the chameleon. Choose a well-lit area indoors. Select a UVB 5.0 lamp to provide vitamin D3 to the chameleon, which helps the reptile metabolize calcium. Replace the bulb every six months. The chameleon also requires a basking lamp as a heat source. A heat lamp with a 60 to 100 watt florescent bulb with a dome reflector provides sufficient heat, but the wattage required depends on the size of the enclosure. Check the temperature inside the cage. The area under the basking lamp should not exceed 95 degrees Fahrenheit and the cooler, shaded area should be around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Turn the lights off at night. The temperature at night should not fall below 65 degrees Fahrenheit. To avoid injury, place the lamps where the chameleon cannot directly touch them. Arrange the basking lamp so the chameleon has sufficient space to escape the heat, both at the top and bottom of the cage.

    Plants and Branches

    • Choose living, non-toxic, dense tropical plants, such as Pothus or Hibiscus, to place inside the enclosure. Fake plastic plants are also an option for easier maintenance. Chameleons like to hide, so provide plenty of leaves and branches for sufficient coverage. Pieces of driftwood and branches that range in size and thickness provide spaces for the chameleon to perch and climb. Arrange the plants so the chameleon is able to climb up to the heat lamp for warmth and down to the bottom of the cage where it is cool, with perching spots in between.

    Water

    • Maintain a high level of humidity inside the enclosure by misting the cage with warm water twice per day. Automatic misters or foggers are also available at pet supply stores. Chameleons ingest water by licking droplets off the leaves and sides of the cage. They will rarely drink from a standing dish of water. Drip containers, available at pet supply stores, offer an alternative water source. Secure the drip container to the top of the enclosure and allow water to drip into the cage. Prevent the enclosure from collecting too much water by placing a receptacle to catch the dripping water inside the cage. Empty the receptacle every day.