Lemon tree?

[bimac6]

Im getting a new large screen enclosure for my veiled chameleon. Its 4'x2.5'x2.5'.

And i have a small lemon tree that id like to put in the enclosure. Im wondering if this type of plant would be harmful to a veiled. It has small thorns and some lemons starting to grow. The tree would fit in the cage and my veiled has already climbed around on the tree and seems to enjoy it. Would this be a good idea? and also if its not too much trouble what other kind of plants would be good for this size of enclosure. THANKZ

oh & this is Murray!

 

[Syn]

http://www.flchams.com/safe_plant_list.asp

http://www.anapsid.org/resources/edible.html

Those are safe plants to use. I'll check and see if a lemon tree is on there and edit this post.

edit: I don't see it on there.

 

[SoCaliSon]

I have heard that most Citrus trees are safe to use, though they are not on most of the lists. I personally have never used them so maybe someone who has can chime in.

 

[desultadox]

I have heard that most Citrus trees are safe to use, though they are not on most of the lists. I personally have never used them so maybe someone who has can chime in.

Where did you hear that? As far as I know most citrus trees are toxic. I'm not sure if lemon is included but I'd rather be safe than sorry... plus it has thorns!

 

[SoCaliSon]

I have heard a few members here on the forums speak of using them with no ill effects. Like I said I myself haven't tried them, just something I have heard...I was hoping someone else would add to this.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/orange-tree-ok-10527/index2.html

https://www.chameleonforums.com/citrus-trees-3190/

Chams Love Thorns! I keep Bouganvillia in my enclosures and they have thorns. When there is a thorny plant in the cage the Cham tends to prefer it over the others I have found. Maybe it adds a sense of security. More of a hazard to you than the Cham. Better safe than sorry is always the rule, Having heard they were safe I just spoke up hoping someone would confirm this for us.

 

[desultadox]

I'm not saying you're wrong, it's just that at Home Depot they're all labeled as toxic.

 

[Sang]

my concern would be the large thorns that lemon trees typically produce as they get larger.

 

[bimac6]

Thanks for all the input! But about how the thorns grow larger as the tree grows, I would be taking it out as soon as it out grows the enclosure, which would be relatively soon. I was just wondering for a temporary solution. And I would also be hanging a Pothos in there as well

 

[Sang]

considering its a vieled, they eat alot of the foliage in enclosures. i am not aware of any side effects of citris intake. i know it can be extremly harmful to some animals.


vieleds being big plant eaters. you should make sure to pay attention to what he is doing. if you need to use it for a day or 5..i don't see the harm. just pay attention.

 

[dodolah]

I am not aware of toxicity of citrus family, especially lemon...
I love cooking and lemon/ lime/ orange leaves are part of spices I use when cooking Indonesian cuisine.
I am assuming it is fine when eaten by chameleons.
I am not sure, however, that citrus tree will thrive under chameleon's general environment.

Perhaps, someone can post in this thread a link that says otherwise.
I am interested to learn about this fact.. thanks in advance.

 

[SliK JiM]

Well, I found this:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080830180845AAw4aGF
Seems to say they leaves are ok! Although, it said somewhere else that the branches aren't safe (I think it was a bird keeping site as birds do gnaw at branches and stuff) but I don't think you're cham will try and eat a branch! So it should be ok! Just keep an eye and see if you notice anything odd!


Here's the bit about branches: http://pet.taragana.net/archive/str...ndoor-and-outdoor-trees-and-plants-for-birds/ Right at the end of the list!

 

[lanceman]

Picture this if you free range your feeders, nice little cricket sitting on a thorn and whap.
If you dont free range em all good.

 

[Syn]

but I don't think you're cham will try and eat a branch! So it should be ok!

I've seen my veiled eat branches before.

 

[SoCaliSon]

Still don't know if I would keep one in my enclosure... but interesting notes... in the threads I posted links to earlier you can read a discussion about Orange trees being Native to Yemen.

Take it as what you will, but if you do a search on the history of the lemon it was recorded to have been around that part of the world since 700 ad. I would imagine Lemon and Orange trees could both be a part of the Veiled natural fauna. Then again just because it's native to the area does not mean it is an ideal plant to keep them on in our enclosures.

There are plenty of safe plants without so much questions around them... I woould go with one of them.

 

[Syn]

Just because venus fly traps are native to fly territory doesn't mean you should use it to house your cute pet fly. ;^)
(Bad analogy I know but still. You get the point.)

I would just stay away from it, better safe than sorry.

Anyways, it's not on an safe lists, so it's either bad, or hasn't been proven to be good..

 

[Docility]

chams have taken to FL/HI both of these places have a huge amount of citrus family trees, and i know people have fed them oranges before, but in response to someone earlier. a citrus tree would be very well off in a chameleon enclosure they need high heat/humidity, and the uvb bulbs will also help it grow with the wide range of radiation. if they are safe then they would make a excellent tree, but you will need to prune it a lot since they get huge

 

[SoCaliSon]

Then again just because it's native to the area does not mean it is an ideal plant to keep them on in our enclosures.

There are plenty of safe plants without so much questions around them... I woould go with one of them.

Just because venus fly traps are native to fly territory doesn't mean you should use it to house your cute pet fly. ;^)
(Bad analogy I know but still. You get the point.)

...

 

[Syn]

I was reinforcing your statement...

 

[bimac6]

Our new cage came in and weve outfitted it with various branches, a pothos plant, the lemon tree previously mentioned, and a bendable vine. Weve bought a dripper and hes already began drinking from it. And we have all our lights set up. But something that worried us is not long after we put Murray in his new crib he chomped down like nobodies business on a lemon flower blossom thing. Should we be worried about this D_:?

 

[Syn]

Well this is where better safe than sorry comes into play..
I suppose there's nothing we can do except offer our opinions,
and if someone doesn't want to listen to them and something happens to their chameleon there isn't much we can do..

Call a vet and ask if Lemon Blossoms have any adverse side effects in chameleons I guess. *sigh*