Plastic
Mesh
Light/heat
placement
Heat retention
Ventilation
Humidity
Drainage
Cleaning
Stress Factors
Additional Comments
Light/heat
placement
- Hard
Mesh blocks
at least 40% of UVB light emited from reptile UVB strip lights. Either
the bulb need to be inside the enclosure or two bulbs used outside.
It is difficult
to create a basking spot without the area of mesh directly under the
bulb becoming too hot. If the chameleon climbs on the mesh and hangs
under the basking bulb (which they are prone to do) there is a danger
of thermal burns.
The
mesh under the bulb tends to absorb a lot of the heat produced thus
restricting the heat reaching the basking spot and the rest of the
enclosure.
Good for
use with Mercury Vapour bulbs suspended overhead in a warm room but
this depends on the species kept (Panther Chameleons do not tolerate
the 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 too cold for the chameleon to use. Good ventilation/airflow
naturally creates a gradient.
Ventilation
- Good
Not usually as good as aluminium mesh though.
Warning:
Some fine weave mesh cages have poor airflow, especially when damp
which is detrimental to your chameleons health.
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
Plastic
mesh cages usually have mesh floors which makes drainage easy
Cleaning
- Ok
Can be
stripped out then easily cleaned. Not easily cleaned on a daily basis
though.
Stress
Factors
Zips get
stuck resulting in the whole cage shaking whilst you struggle to undo
it. Restricted vision due to the thickness of mesh reduces the all
round vision problem that the finer aluminum mesh can suffer from
therefore could be more suitable for nervous individuals.
Additional Comments
Great for
taking outside in the sunny weather for natural UV exposure. Less
stress on the Cham as it is still in its original enclosure.
Can be hard to see through (see stress factors above for positive)
and crickets have been known to eat their way out.
Probably 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.
Often the cheapest form of caging but the hardest to heat.
Aluminium
Mesh - black flyscreen such as the Terry Thatcher range
Plastic
- vision vivariums or purpose built
Glass
Wood
Freerange
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