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How to Build a Chameleon Enclosure

Chameleons are sensitive animals and require delicate handling as pets. A chameleon's habitat will impact its overall health. Trying to duplicate the animal's natural habitat is one of the most important things you can do as a pet owner to ensure that your chameleon is housed properly. The delicate biology of the animal poses problems for some pet owners who are unaware of the specific conditions chameleons require in a replicated habitat. Some misinformed pet store clerks or sales associates encourage chameleon owners to purchase aquariums for their habitat, but the reflection of the glass in aquariums can cause high stress levels in chameleons, allowing their immune systems to break down. Aquarium usage for chameleon habitats should be avoided; caged habitat options should be used instead.

Things You'll Need

4-foot wide, 57-inch-long piece of 1/4-inch hardware cloth
Clear silicone caulking
Caulking gun
2 17-inch diameter plastic plant water saucers
Plants
Sticks
Small bungee cords
Zip ties
Reptile-specific heat lamp
Automatic water mister

Instructions

- 1
  Roll the hardware cloth into a tube with the diameter matching the size of the water saucers.
- 2
  Place one end of the tube into a plant saucer snugly, leaving the end of the hardware cloth overlapping by about 3 inches. Repeat this for the other end of the tube with another water saucer.
- 3
  Secure the top and bottom of the tube using zip ties. Move along the entire edge of each top and bottom tube until all gaps have been fastened with zip ties.
- 4
  Place one end of the tube inside a plastic dish and secure it with silicone. Put a small portion of silicone along the seam of the hardware cloth on the inside of the enclosure. Cover any sharp edges with silicone as well and allow it to dry.
- 5
  Place a large, nontoxic plant inside the enclosure, with lots of sticks and branches for the chameleon to climb.
- 6
  Place a reptile-specific heat lamp inside the enclosure and an automatic water mister to help replicate the hot and humid natural habitat of wild chameleons.
- 7
  Put the chameleon inside the enclosure and place a water saucer on top, securing it to the enclosure with bungee cords to ensure that your chameleon does not escape.

Animals & Science