Aluminium
Mesh
Light/heat
placement
Heat retention
Ventilation
Humidity
Drainage
Cleaning
Stress Factors
Additional Comments
Light/heat placement
- Hard
Mesh
blocks 20-40% of UVB so UVB strip lights may need to be inside or
doubled up outside depending on the species kept. Difficult to create
basking spot without area of mesh directly under bulb becoming dangerously
hot if the chameleon were to climb on it.
Good
for use with Mercury Vapour bulbs suspended overhead in a warm room
but again this depends on the species kept (Panther Chameleons do
not tolerate high levels of UV given off by Mercury Vapour bulbs).
Maintains heat
- Very Poor
Unless
used in warm/hot room, mesh cages can be very difficult to keep areas
outside the basking spot at a comfortable temperature.
Producing a Thermal Gradient is very easy providing the cooler end
is not to cold for the chameleon to use.Good ventilation/airflow naturally
creates a gradient.
Ventilation
- Excellent
The main advantage with this type of cage is the unrestricted ventilation
Maintains humidity
- Variable
Humidity
is directly related to the amount of ventilation. When using mesh
cages more regular spraying and the use of real plants helps create
more acceptable levels of humidity. "Soft Trays" can be
used to cover several sides but at the expense of air-flow.
Adding Drainage
- Easy
Most mesh
cages have plastic floors which can be drilled and will not deteriorate
in a damp environment.
Cleaning
- Ok
Can be
stripped out then easily cleaned. Easier to clean that the plastic
mesh cages due to the plastic bottoms.
Stress
Factors
All round
vision can leave the Chameleon no where to feel safe. My preference
is to cover 2 adjacent walls and heavily plant that corner giving
a retreat from visual stimuli.
Additional Comments
This type
of caging is best used for taking your chameleon outside in the sunny
weather for natural UV exposure.
There is
less stress on the Chameleon as it is still in its original enclosure.
They also tend to last a very long time. Crickets can't chew their
way out.
They are
better suited for use in warmer climates or in temperature controlled
reptile rooms. Common mistake is to use in cold rooms where the chameleon
spends all its time under the basking spot, effectively making the
rest of the enclosure useless.
When siting
the heat lamp, make sure the lamp and reflector/housing has an air
gap of around 1inch between the lamp reflector and the mesh. This
helps remove heat from the mesh and therefore is less likely to cause
your chameleon thermal burns.
Plastic
Mesh - such as Reptarium
Plastic
- vision vivariums or purpose built
Glass
Wood
Freerange
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