Moving away from the classic tank, you can find these fun chameleon cage ideas that are easy to implement today. Most importantly, they add character and a nice place for your colored lizard to thrive in. Here are some of the best ideas for this.
Table of Contents
1. Bioactive Setup
Any-size cage might be a good idea but one with living plants is going to be the natural choice. Offering a mix of plants and decor objects, a bioactive setup is the ultimate cage idea for a chameleon that feels right at home. A soil and substrate layer are the must-haves of a bioactive setup and a living cage setup that makes your chameleon feel right at home.
2. Wooden Cabinet
Chameleons can live in a wooden cabinet just as well as in any other cage. The right cabinet is going to offer more space for them to move about freely without costing a fortune.
Consider old wooden cabinets around the house, vintage wooden cabinets, or even a new wooden cabinet if you plan to keep it for years. Consider its sides and doors which may come with different materials such as screen or glass for visibility, humidity, and temperature control.
3. Lattice on 2 sides
Need to add more elements vertically? Consider adding one or multiple lattices for various elements such as vines. A lattice is also a great addition to sticks that go from one side to another.
Bridges and even shelves may be added on lattices to elaborate the cage vertically. Consider adding no more than 2 lattices on the sides of the enclosure to still maintain good visibility.
4. DIY PVC Structure
Not interested in a lattice to add plants and vines to the cage? Build your own tall structure from PVC. Use the PVC pipes you have around the house to create a structure for hanging posts, bridges, and climbing plants.
Cheap and durable, the DIY PVC structure is also highly customizable. Standard 1-1/4″ are about as thick as these pipes need to be for just about any structure.
Use a 3-way cross for the corners and connect the PVC pipes in a way that looks a bit more professional than tape.
5. Screen Cage
An actual screen cage is both cheap and highly breathable. It allows good visibility but may still be solid enough.
But why would you consider it over other options? It’s an ideal breathable setup for the cage to have the same conditions as the room it sits in.
You can buy one online or build it as a DIY project. Consider frame materials and the screen itself for the enclosure if you’re making one yourself.
6. Hybrid Cage
A hybrid cage is a type of chameleon cage with partial screen sides and partial solid sides. The combination of PVC, wood, glass, and screen sides is ideal for a controlled environment close to a heat source or an air conditioner which may draw out moisture from the cage through a screen side.
7. Glass Tank
The classic glass tank is still highly praised among chameleon lovers for its great visibility and affordability. From 3, 4 to 6 sides, glass tanks offer customization as well. Both DIY and ready-made glass tanks are viable.
Considering the ventilation needs of the glass tank as well as too much moisture is one of their biggest problems which comes hand-in-hand with bacteria.
8. Outdoor Enclosure
A bit uncommon in most climates, an outdoor enclosure may work, but only depending on the outdoor conditions. This cage option doesn’t control heat or temperature, but it may work in the summer as long as you track temperature and humidity. Hot humid summers such as those in Florida are ideal for outdoor enclosures. These enclosures also work for indoor gardens in similar weather.
9. Bird Cage
Repurposing birdcages allows exact room condition mimicry for your pet lizard. Controlled humidity and temperature are only possible with these cages when you control the heat and humidity of the room.
10. Plenty of Live Plants
Ready to treat your chameleon’s cage as a small garden? Some of the safe plants for chameleon cages include golden, jade, marble, and neon photos. Need something with large leaves? Go for crotons. Need a plant with small leaves? Go for an umbrella tree.
11. A mix of Fake and Live Plants
Some plants may not thrive in certain cages. You can always consider buying their fake versions instead. Combine fake and live plants for a mix that recreates a miniature habitat. From an aesthetic point of view, you can combine green-only plants to create a uniform cage look. Add colored alternatives such as flowers to mix up colors and recreate a tropical look your chameleon can mimic.
12. Add Some Flowers
A dwarf umbrella tree or a Guiana chestnut adds a touch of color to the cage. Consider the watering frequency and their seasonality when buying these flowers. Small and large flowers can be added to create a more complex setup that moves away from the classic substrate and sticks ideas.
Consider adding only chameleon-safe flowers and the ones that don’t require frequent watering to avoid creating an ideal habitat for bacteria to thrive in. Avoid overwatering flowers to keep mold away as well.
13. Climbing Vines and Sticks
Climbing fig, satin photos, or various types of fern are among the climbing vines you can add with sticks to create a jungle-like experience for your chameleon. Need something similar to a climbing plant but with a touch of color? Add a chameleon-safe nerve plant.
14. Bird Bridge
A small bridge adds character and practicality. Consider the various materials such as PVC and bamboo when choosing the bridge. Combine multiple bridges to create a path that allows for some extra movement off the ground.
A bird bridge also acts as a bit more exploration room to encourage the natural hunting behavior of the chameleon. This behavior is easily lost when there’s an endless food supply in a bowl for the chameleon.
15. Chameleon Feeding Bowl
A chameleon feeding bowl for moving prey is ideal since chameleons typically eat moving things. A tower–like mesh structure for insects to climb arouses the interest of your chameleon and it keeps them occupied as well. An included hanging chain means you can add the feeding bowl just about anywhere for the chameleon to climb.
16. Water Fountain
Water fountains add a drinking water source for your chameleon. This choice is for decor alone as chameleons prefer to get their water from daily mist. At the same time, you should not overuse a water fountain as it can quickly become a source of bacteria. Limit the water inside and clean it frequently to avoid bacteria build-up.
17. Water Dripper
A water dripper may be the closest thing to actual rain for your old-world chameleon. A simple solution not to be overused to the risk of building up bacteria in the cage, a water dripped helps your chameleon cool off and it adds moisture to the cage.
18. Hanging Pots
One of the more daring ideas for a chameleon cage, and hanging pots get the conversation going with your guests. You can use branches, bridges, and other hanging elements to add pots with living or fake plants for your chameleon to feel out in nature. Combine small and large pots for a more diverse cage with plenty of elements for the chameleon to explore.
19. Add a Statue
Statues are typically associated with the outdoors, gardens, and patios. They are also used as indoor decor but adding them to a cage brings them to life differently. While chameleons don’t have an affinity for statues, they make the entire setup completely different from the typical tank with fake plants most chameleons spend their lives in.
20. More Horizontal Sticks
Don’t have access to PVC pipes? Consider simple sticks instead. You can use regular straight sticks with a bit of tape or rope to create a tall structure to hang off plants and other elements. Add sticks horizontally to create more opportunities for hanging plants and other decor elements.
21. Naturalistic Wallpaper
Need something cheap and cheerful? Why not choose a wallpaper? Consider the images that are most representative of your chameleon or even of you so that you can liven up the entire cage with something meaningful. Images of tropical forests are going to mix well with an enclosure with plenty of green plants.
22. DIY Background
A DIY background may block most viewing angles but may add elements that make chameleons feel safe around. Combined with plants, these backgrounds come with the main benefit of uniqueness. No two DIY backgrounds are the same since you create them yourself. Use glue, paper, and pet-safe paint to create a unique habitat that’s worth exploring.