Is ficus leaves dangerous?

[dodolah]

i know that when i prune the tree, it produces sap that are irritating to the skin.
As far as pruning the stem, i know well that this pants can emit sap.
However, munching on the leaves should not cause sap emission, should it?


Lately my veiled chameleon starting to munch on the leaves pretty often..
When i read the warning about the plants in this site, it says that a concern
should be raise if keeping a chameleon that munch leaves..

How dangerous is it when my cham eating the leaves of ficus?

 

[BigTex]

my veiled ate his ficus with no ill results, the plant is non toxic

 

[Brad Ramsey]

I've not read of any problems with ficus and veileds, only panthers...and in those cases it was an eye irritation issue.
A lot of people use ficus with no problems.
I have not used this plant in a chameleon enclosure so I have no first hand experience.

-Brad

 

[Jerambis]

The plant is mildly toxic. Your veiled (which do tend to eat plants a lot) should be fine if he eats it occasionally, if he eats a lot you should take it out. Schefflera is the way to go in my opinion, with all chams. I have had two panthers that get eye problems anytime they are on a ficus tree. I have had other that have no problems, but with a schefflera you don't have to worry about any eye problems or about them eating it. It has no ill effects.

 

[Dankmeleon]

from what i've heard, ficus elastica is not very good, otherwise known as the rubber tree, but as far as ficus benjamena goes, I've never had any problems

 

[Smitty]

You can also think about adding other things for your cham to munch on instead of the ficus leaves. Mine hasn't gotten big enough to start that yet (that I've seen) so I don't readily know what kinds of veggies chams like.

 

[Dyesub Dave]

In my large male veiled enclosure I have a Ficus Tree and a Hibiscus Bush. I haven't noticed any problems with the Ficus and he occasionally eats the Hibiscus leaves. I also have two 7 month old female veileds that have a Hibiscus in their enclosure as well. They also eat the leaves and love to eat the flowers.

I will definitely be putting a Hibiscus plant in every cham enclosure that I have. It not only makes them feel more secure it gives them addtional food and nutrients that I'm sure is good for their digestion and well being.

Dyesub Dave.

 

[Catfur]

My male panther chameleon ate so much ficus that he almost completely defoliated his tree. I never had any eye troubles with him, or any troubles period, for that matter. Now he lives with a pothos, since the ficus just couldn't take it.

 

[Jeweledchameleons]

options may be in the future.

I believe I've found a broad leaf vine that is 100% edible
and non toxic that will work very well with younger chams

I want to try it out some more on a few of my small veileds
before I post about it in detail.
But right now it may be a very good alternative or complement
to what is currently being used.