Home made vines?

[Jscott0731]

I have a rather large weeping willow tree in my yard and I thought it would be cool to make some twisted/braided vines out of the branches, so tied 3 together braided them and made some new vines for my male veiled. I'm fairly satisfied with how they came out and if i can make them as thick or thin as i want and almost as long as i want to

so i was just wanting to see if any one else had any similar ideas or inventions

i will post pics tomorrow when his lights are on

 

[Hakai]

That seems like an awesome money saving idea! I have some of those trees in my neighborhood, I should try it out. Only problems with it I could see is possible toxicity and the vine just dying quickly. Idk if weeping willow is toxic to chams, just something to be cautious about.

 

[Jscott0731]

That seems like an awesome money saving idea! I have some of those trees in my neighborhood, I should try it out. Only problems with it I could see is possible toxicity and the vine just dying quickly. Idk if weeping willow is toxic to chams, just something to be cautious about.

nope already checked its fine but i did wash it and every thing anyway

 

[ChamsRawesome]

Probably should bake them as well but yea so like a great idea!

 

[Psychobunny]

That sounds like a great idea, I wonder how long it will last!?

Weeping willow tree you say....hmmmm, my neighbor has a nice big one
in her yard. Maybe I will sneak over with a pair of snippers

 

[reptoman]

I have a huge english ivy that is growing in the front of the house and it creates sections of braided vine that I cut back occasionally so it does not take over the entire house. I use these in my baby setups and they seem to weather great. Some have been in the juvi cages for a couple years and not a spot of mold or any sign of rot with daily mistings and the drip running several times throughout the day.
I would think you could create something really nice with willow branches. If you think about it, they are bent and formed into chairs and other items so they would be perfect for creating a network of branches and pathways in a cage. Have a single hanging point in the top center from a cross support (i use PVC pie in an "H" shape) and you could have one cohesive unit made from willow branches hanging from that point and be able to take it out to wash off and put back easily. Have your branches bent around a hanging pothos and this will add foliage to your cage and help keep your humidity up.

 

[Olimpia]

I'm a huge fan of using natural elements in cages! Not only are things like branches and vines free but they are so much better for chameleons, in my opinion. As long as the tree is safe, branches are washed (and/or baked, if you're particularly nervous), and the branches you use are fresh and healthy they can last for years without molding or decaying.

I have branches in my cages that I cut down almost 2 years ago, and they still look brand new! They've held up to misting, basking lights, even outdoor sun 24/7, and melleri claws, and they're still doing great. I can't say the same thing for any bendi-vines I've ever had!

 

[FrankTheTank]

I never buy fake vines. The only thing fake I have ever purchased were foilage type things for coverage. I always get vines from my yard though. I have tones of them growing on the trees around my house so that is what I use. I bake them, or if they are too big, I wash them and put a nontoxic sealer brushed on. Mine have lasted many years with a fat veiled crawling around on them, so I think they're great! I would never spend ten dollars on a few feet of fake vine. That is absurd.