Chameleon lovers..what do you like more?

Question

okay, so they say not to put a chameleon in a regular glass tank as oppose to a fresh air reptarium. I know breeders who's Chameleons flourish in tanks. I also read all the time that you should have a fresh air tank b/c it healthier for them. Everyone has their preference. What is yours and why?

I like the idea of both of them. With a glass tank you can hold humidity better. With a fresh air its a little messier (as far as the misting goes) and would need more heat for them since they get so much more air from it. With a glass tank it stinks easily..even keeping up with the cleaning. I am getting a fresh air reptarium this week. Should be interesting. i just feel bad for having them in a glass tank. i myself dont find that to be very healthy or natural for them.

Answer 1

I used to keep my veiled chameleons loose in a room with climbing frames set up for them all round the room.

the problems I have encountered from other people keeping chameleons in glass tanks are

chameleons are Territorial and being able to see their own reflection stresses them out they stop eating due to constantly threatening "the intruder.

also i have acquired chameleons with there noses raw and bleeding due to constantly rubbing there noses on the glass.

and on the whole chameleons do better with fresh air the tend to be healthier and happier

Answer 2

i myself have a cage that all four sides are that screen material,i find it much better for them because my chameleon can climb anywhere he wants with all 4 four sides beeing that material

Answer 3

i have 2 Senegal chameleons that i keep in a 40 gallon tall tank. i have a screen top. the bottom is covered in fresh mulch and i have plenty of limbs for them to travel all over the tank. they seem to be very content with their habitat and eat very well, so they are definitely healthy.

Answer 4

i prefer the fresh air tank

Answer 5

I am assuming you are talking about old world chameleon (such as panther and veiled). Pygmy chameleons are better to be kept in glass tank.

i can guarantee that most of the breeders that uses glass tank rigged the cage by adding some kind of ventilation at least on 2 sides of the cage to allow the air to circulate.

The one that say do not is either lying or probably have couple of dead chameleons.

It's not so much about the humidity that causes chameleons to get Respiratory Infection. Stagnant humidity is the culprit.

I always say to people that it's not impressive to keep a chameleon for 6 mo to a year cause that is exactly the time that you need to kill one.

Just because your chameleon is fine for couple of months in a glass tank with no air circulation (a screen top is not enough), it does not mean that they will be fine for the rest of their lives.

So, I am all for screen cage and a glass tank with adequate ventilation.

For US climate, it seems to me a screen cage is superior.

Germany, UK, and other European countries' climate usually benefit from having a glass tank (again with adequate ventilation) due to the lack of humidity.