All about chameleon terrariums

A terrarium is a special container in which it is possible to organize a habitat for exotic animals. The article will talk about terrariums for chameleons, as well as how to make it yourself.

The terrarium is a transparent structure used to organize a comfortable life for chameleons at home. The vertical model is preferable. This is due to the fact that lizards like to move on a vertical surface, in trees.

General requirements for chameleon terrariums.

1. One chameleon - one terrarium. Two lizards are not able to peacefully coexist in one territory, one will certainly destroy the other. The only exception is the breeding season. In this case, the female is placed in a terrarium with the male for a very short period of time. Immediately after mating, the animals must be transplanted.
2. The average volume of the terrarium should not be less than 120 liters. If the individuals are large, it is worth considering purchasing a more voluminous structure in order to provide comfortable living conditions for an exotic pet. For example, Yemeni chameleons will need a space 40 cm wide and 60 cm long.The height of the container for this type of lizard should be at least 80 cm.But for Jackson's chameleon, a terrarium with dimensions of 50x40x70 cm will be enough.
3. The terrarium must have access to fresh air. If this is not foreseen, the animal will often suffer from serious respiratory diseases. To prevent the risk of pathology formation, it is necessary to make vertical holes that will serve as ventilation. If you are afraid that the animal might run away, it is worth covering the holes with a steel mesh. On average, two vents are sufficient: one at the bottom of the terrarium, the other on the lid.
4. The container must be equipped with a heating lamp. This solution will help to organize efficient air circulation.
5. The walls of the terrarium should be made of thick glass. Plastic structures will quickly lose their transparency, and will also be deformed by pets. And also it is worth making sure that all seams are as tight as possible.

The basis of the frame for the terrarium is represented by aluminum profiles or rods. If you plan to place mountain type chameleons at home, you should think about buying a flexarium, the walls of which are made of durable nylon mesh. Then you don't have to equip ventilation yourself.

Today you can buy a terrarium at almost any pet store, as well as from chameleon breeders. Manufacturers offer a wide range of various designs that differ in size, design, materials and other parameters.

Minus store containers in a high price. Not everyone is able to afford the purchase of an expensive terrarium for keeping an exotic pet. There is a way out - to assemble a house for the chameleon yourself.

First of all, you need to determine the dimensions of the future structure. For this it is worth considering:

• a kind of chameleon;
• sizes;
• conditions of detention.

When the drawing is ready, you can start preparing materials and tools. To assemble a terrarium for a chameleon with your own hands, you will need:

• plexiglass;
• rug of green shades;
• UV lamp;
• transparent silicone sealant;
• air ionizer;
• metallic profile;
• dried tree branches;
• heated mat to organize effective thermoregulation of reptiles;
• artificial plants and trees;
• greens planted in pots;
• construction knife;
• scissors;
• manual welding machine;
• Bulgarian.

Additional tools may be required in the process. In most cases, they are close at hand, so there will be no problem finding the tools. Stages of assembling the terrarium.

1. First, you need to take the prepared metal profiles, and weld a rectangular frame from them.
2. Next, you need to install the glass on the frame - this will be the basis of the terrarium.
3. The third stage involves the installation of side walls. The joints should be lubricated with sealant so as to prevent any leaks or deformation of the container. Sometimes there is a risk of warping the enclosure as the sealant dries. To prevent this from happening, it is worth using belt ties.
4. After that, the container will need to be wiped off, and put a heated mat on the bottom. Previously, in the corner of the terrarium, it is necessary to provide an opening where the wires will be output. It is also worth installing an air ionizer at this stage.

It is not difficult to equip a terrarium if you approach the process responsibly and take into account the necessary nuances in advance.

First, you should think about the need to use soil. If the chameleon prefers to sit on a tree, then it is not necessary to pour the earth.In this case, a plastic mat will suffice.

Additional recommendations.

1. To make an exotic animal feel comfortable, you should cover the bottom of the terrarium with dry branches and snags of plants. It is better to use natural decorative elements.
2. An ordinary glass with low sides can serve as a feeder for a chameleon. You can also put a pre-cut bottle in the terrarium. It is worth carefully cutting off the neck so as not to cut yourself, and then carefully process the cut site so that the chameleon does not get hurt. Just in case, you should always have bandages, brilliant green or iodine on hand.
3. An irrigation system is a good solution. Then it will be easier for the pet to get the necessary moisture by licking the condensation on the leaves of the plants.
4. In a large terrarium, it is worth installing a waterfall or a shallow pool with a mesh filter, where the animal will have a pleasant time. In addition, such elements will complement the overall interior of the exotic pet's home.
5. Competently arranged ventilation will act as a guarantee of good health for the chameleon. In the absence of such a system, air masses will cease to rise from the bottom, the humidity regime will be violated, and the animal will quickly die. The best solution would be a convection ventilation device in the form of an exhaust outlet in the lid and a supply ventilation in the front wall at a height of 5 cm from the bottom.
6. The humidity in the terrarium should be 60-70%. You can maintain the indicator at the required level using a waterfall or pool. And you can also regularly irrigate the interior with a spray bottle. It is recommended to install a hygrometer to monitor humidity.
7. The comfortable temperature for chameleons is 27-29 degrees Celsius during the day and 21-24 degrees at night. Therefore, there should always be a heat source near the terrarium in case of frost. The use of such a device is especially important in winter. Use a thermometer to measure the temperature.

Finally, you need to take care of comfortable lighting so that the chameleon feels safe. This can be done using ordinary fluorescent lamps. You can also buy special lamps at the pet store. Additionally, it is worth taking care of the UV source, which will need to be turned on for about 8 hours a day.