Avocado Trees

Motherlode Chameleon

Motherlode Chameleon

Chameleon Enthusiast
Have any of you on the forum ever used an Avocado tree as C. Parsoni habitat? My male is about two years old and this is by far his favorite plant in my greenhouse and in my outdoor sunning cages (preferred over ficus, schefllera, hibiscus and peach trees). The Avocado Tree has branches that are larger in circumference than the ficus, peach, hibiscus and sheflara and are easier for the Parsons large feet to grasp. Plus the foliage is less dense than the other trees and when navigating through the tree, it seems to be much less of an obstacle. My male seems to prefer how the crown of the tree is as well and how the layout of the trees branches are placed and seems content to stay in this tree and not make much of an attempt to travel to other trees in the greenhouse. If you have not tried a Avocado as a Tree for C. Parsoni you may want to experiment with one for your Parsons. Plus it is kind of neat to grow and Avocado from a seed that you purchased from a Grocery Store if you can not find a started adult or semi adult tree.
 
I was upset at first when all my chams went for the one avocado tree I had in my front window. They all live today. However, I did end up, just as a precaution, taking it out of the house and replaced it with scheflera, however that's spelled. I know the fruit would be a bad story if eaten. I will be curious to hear more on this from others.
 
I consider an Avocado tree the closest match to replicate (in captivity) primary forests that Parsons live in, compared to secondary growth trees ficus, hibiscus, and schefflara (Spelling?).
 
A little caution please, since I've seen my parsons ingest plant leaves

There is documented evidence that animals such as cats, dogs, cattle, goats, rabbits, rats, birds, fish and horses can be severely harmed or even killed when they consume the avocado leaves, bark, skin, or pit. The avocado fruit is poisonous to some birds, and the ASPCA and many other sites list it as toxic to many animals including cats, dogs, and horses. Avocado is an ingredient in AvoDerm dog food and cat food. However, the ASPCA has declined to say whether this food is safe or not without knowing the details of how the avocado is processed.
Avocado leaves contain a toxic fatty acid derivative known as persin, which in sufficient quantity can cause equine colic and, with lack of veterinary treatment, death. The symptoms include gastrointestinal irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory distress, congestion, fluid accumulation around the tissues of the heart and even death. Birds also seem to be particularly sensitive to this toxic compound. Negative effects in humans seem to be primarily in allergic individuals.
 
I appoligize to all on the forums about the post of the Avocado Tree being safe. Other than being toxic I stand by what I have posted for Parsons chameleons loving these trees. If you can find a nontoxic plant similar to an Avocado it may be worth experimenting with.
 
Motherload Chameleon said:
SSimssiSS thanx for the catch I just checked and they are toxic. I owe you one. I'm replacing the Avocado with an adult Coffee tree.
Click to expand...

No problem. Glad to point it out. I thought about this post when you first posted, and was going to reply as a possible harmful tree/plant, but got side-tracked.
I think we can still experiment with them. Just with caution. Have yet to hear of a chameleon dropping dead from a Avocado tree, but I'm not willing to be the guy who makes that discovery. Since the toxin has a negative affect on some birds, I have to believe some reptiles would be affected too.
The two likly risks I see would be a chameleon coming into contact through biting leaves to drink water droplets. And catching a leaf with food prey and ingesting along with the prey.
Trust me, I've thought about using them, but have stayed away, knowing the danger to pets.
 
While my veiled and my Jacksons, at separate times, ventured onto and hung out on the Avocado tree in my window, I knew it could be trouble if one were to take a bite of the leaves. That is why I removed it. What they like about it, a big schefflera can provide.
 
I'm going to a local agriculture nursery and replace my Avocado Tree with a nontoxic tree that has a good crown and branches that have got a wide circumfrance. I'm considering Chestnut Trees, Walnut Trees, Fig Trees and possibly others (if nontoxic).
 
I would choose either a fig tree or an apple tree that I would keep dwarfed. Fuji, I think. lol I'm not sure the walnut tree is a good idea. Acidic, I thought. What's wrong with getting a giant shefflera? That's what I replaced my avocado tree with and they LOVE it... Can't keep their clampers off it. lol
 
The giant shefflera is OK however their crowns and branches are not that as well developed. Such as one branch connecting or leading to another branch that creates more dynamic branch pathways and branch circumfrence are not as big. That something my Parson loves, being able to make rounds in the branches and crowns of these trees and larger branches for his bigger feet.
 
I would problably remove the Avocado Branches for other branchs since they are toxic you would not want your chameleons comming into contect with any of the Avocados toxins.
 
Actually this thread needs an update. After further research Mexican species of Avocado leaves are not toxic. While Guatamalan species of Avocado leaves are toxic. You just have to make certain which species of Avocado you pick out for your Calumma parsonii parsonii. Here is a link that states the toxicity of Avocado's and is stated from other sources as well .

http://www.wisegeek.org/what-are-the-uses-of-avocado-leaves.htm

Along with this I have done readings of anecdotal reports that Calumma parsonii parsonii living in Avocado orchards in Madagascar.

Best Regards
Jeremy A. Rich
 
I've been mostly using large ficus alii for parsonii trees, but when I
finish my greenhouse this spring I would like to try experimenting with citrus, if I can get it to grow up here:p
 

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