Coco Liners

[hart8000]

Coco Liners and grape vines

Has anyone used coconut liners that you can buy for to line plant pots to line chameleon cages. I was thinking about using it on the bottom for some cushion, along with a drainage system set up beneath it, and on the sides to help keep humidity up. The front and top would be mesh of some sort. Also, I have heard of people sandblasting grape vines to put in there cages. Would this be acceptable to use? Probably need to disinfect before putting it in the cage, but they sure look good.

 

[xanthoman]

the problem with coconut liners is they provide a perfect breeding ground for mites and such, and they are not readily cleanable, and hard to actually tell when they are dirty, and too expensive to change frequently (daily). i like to cut several pieces of towel to size (which could also provide a breeding ground for mites and such) except that they are cheap and washable, so its no sweat to swap them out every day. and that way the actual floor of the cages never even gets dirty. they provide a cushion, help raise and extend the humidity, and if you use a lighter color, its easy to see when they are dirty, makes it easier to asses the condition of any dropped feces and they dont suck the light out of the cage like a dark color does. from previous posts i know some people dont agree, but it has worked well for me, especially were neonates are concerned. its the xantho way

 

[DGray]

coco husk fiber or coir

I sell coir liners for pots and I have found that they hold up pretty well for a year or so as liner for hanging baskets. I never have had reason to use them in a chameleon environment. I use window screen. If you could find a nursery that sells coir matting by the foot off a big roll it might be worth getting some to try. Seems to me that it would take repeated washing for many cycles.

I have never had, or heard of mites on chams. I have received and kept many imported reptiles and seen loads of mites, just never on a cham. Maybe others have more to say on mites, but I'm not sure its a concern.

edit: yes, grapevines are safe. There are some great shapes in the stuff I've seen.

 

[hart8000]

I sell coir liners for pots and I have found that they hold up pretty well for a year or so as liner for hanging baskets. I never have had reason to use them in a chameleon environment. I use window screen. If you could find a nursery that sells coir matting by the foot off a big roll it might be worth getting some to try. Seems to me that it would take repeated washing for many cycles.

I have never had, or heard of mites on chams. I have received and kept many imported reptiles and seen loads of mites, just never on a cham. Maybe others have more to say on mites, but I'm not sure its a concern.

edit: yes, grapevines are safe. There are some great shapes in the stuff I've seen.

Thanks for the info. I guess it coir would be a nice place for mold and stuff to grow, so probably not the best for a cage. I also just use window screen for the top and bottom of my cages with a plastic bigger mesh for the sides and front.

 

[DGray]

Thanks for the info. I guess it coir would be a nice place for mold and stuff to grow, so probably not the best for a cage. I also just use window screen for the top and bottom of my cages with a plastic bigger mesh for the sides and front.

I cut extra pieces of screen the same size as the floor to line the cage and catch droppings. I also cut a few extras, so one can be drying, and I always have a clean one to put in the cage.