Newcomers!

[LfitchM]

Hi there.

Just recently puchased a Yemen Male Chameleon(6months old) In the process of ensuring his enclosure is of a good standard.
Looking for some ideas on what live plants and ground substance to have? Most sites i have looked at suggest staying away from wooden chips - this is what the previous owner used - for the time being these have been removed!

Thanks, Laura

 

[pigglett79]

I use schefflera and pothos plants. You don't want to put any substrate on the floor as the chameleon could eat it and get impacted. Either nothing or maybe some paper towels are ok.

 

[MollyT]

Hello and welcome! Some good plants to use would be an umbrella plant, pothos, ficus, hoya(wax plant), dracaena, etc. There are a bunch more, but these are the ones I hear of people using the most. I have 2 small umbrella plants in my baby veiled's cage(it's a small 16x16x20 reptibreeze). You can use the search function here and find threads about different plants. As far as putting anything on the bottom of the cage, I wouldn't put anything except paper towels. Anything else could accidentally end up getting ingested by your cham, causing blockage and possible death.

Congrats on the new cham! You have found the best place to get information to help make your cham a happy and healthy. Everyone here is great about answering questions and helping out us 'newbies'!

 

[LfitchM]

Thanks, Was looking at whats avaliable at nearby pet store, what are your views on the Reptile Carpet?

 

[pigglett79]

Might be difficult to keep the carpet clean.

 

[MollyT]

Thanks, Was looking at whats avaliable at nearby pet store, what are your views on the Reptile Carpet?

I hear that you have to clean it pretty much daily bc it can grow bacteria. I don't use anything on the bottom of Kush's cage, thought I think I may start putting paper towels down, to make the daily cleaning easier.

 

[carol5208]

Thanks, Was looking at whats avaliable at nearby pet store, what are your views on the Reptile Carpet?[/QU
The main thing is not having it constantly wet from misting and dripping. You don't want to create conditions that are going to breed mold or baceria. If you can figure out a way for it to dry out, then I would say it would be ok. Otherwise, just leave the cage floor bare. As far as paper towels, they can be used but I know of one member whose cham shot at a cricket and got a wad of paper towel in its mouth along wiht the cricket. Just something to consider.

 

[LfitchM]

Think it may be wise for me to just leave the flooring bare but to add alot of plastic plants and a couple live ones to create a good environment. With live plants from garden stores they come pre potted should these be taking out and planted using an organic/Ericaceous soil? Was looking at water drippers too - do any of you use these? Was looking at a DIY one (plastic cup with small hole at the bottom, falling onto leaves)

Your views and help is much appreciated
Thanks,
Laura

 

[pigglett79]

You need to make sure to re-pot the plant with organic soil that does nto have any fertilizer in it. I also wash the plant leaves with a mixture of soap and water to get any insecticides off. I use a little dripper as I can never get the DIY ones to work correctly.

 

[stalincat]

Think it may be wise for me to just leave the flooring bare but to add alot of plastic plants and a couple live ones to create a good environment. With live plants from garden stores they come pre potted should these be taking out and planted using an organic/Ericaceous soil? Was looking at water drippers too - do any of you use these? Was looking at a DIY one (plastic cup with small hole at the bottom, falling onto leaves)

Your views and help is much appreciated
Thanks,
Laura

hey there,
nice to see someone else from Edinburgh=)
I got most of the stuff for my babies from this website https://www.livefoods.co.uk/ or ebay. But livefoods tends to be a bit cheaper. They have drippers, plants and pretty much everything you need for your reptile.

Oh, ASDA had these huge ficus plants for a fiver recently. Don't know if they still do, but worth checking.

 

[LfitchM]

hey there,
nice to see someone else from Edinburgh=)
I got most of the stuff for my babies from this website https://www.livefoods.co.uk/ or ebay. But livefoods tends to be a bit cheaper. They have drippers, plants and pretty much everything you need for your reptile.

Oh, ASDA had these huge ficus plants for a fiver recently. Don't know if they still do, but worth checking.

Thanks for the reply!
Im having an issue just now with the soil - everywhere i read says organic soil! The plants you have in your vivarium are they just with the soil you purchased them with? Dont want to hurt the wee one by just adding the plant.. Thanks may have to look in asda tonight!

laura

 

[stalincat]

I got a bag of potting compost from Dobbies and repotted all plants which go into vivs, seems to be working fine. You can also get organic planters (made of coco fibers or something like that).
You can check for pothos or ficus at Dobbies too. Homebase stores usually have fab hibiscus plants. My chams love their blossoms. Money tree/jade tree is another favorite. IKEA usually has jade trees and ficus plants.

Oh, and don't forget to insure your new boy cause the vet bills can be quite hefty.

 

[stalincat]

Oh yeah, you also need to get pebbles and cover the soil with them so your cham doesn't ingest it accidentally

 

[LfitchM]

Thankyou so much! going to head to b&q and asda soon! Was in Dobbies earlier today im not the worlds best when it comes to plants and what their called - spent ages! and came away with one!

Do you have insurance? If so who with? May be worth us looking into getting some. Better to be safe than sorry!

Laura

 

[SouthCaliChameleon]

What about large orchid bark?? Pretty good size i don't think my little guy can get one in his mouth.. My friend puts it on the bottom of his cages...

 

[chipop]

i love umbrella plants bought and stuck to it and i have some small ones potted around my house just cause it looks nice

 

[SouthCaliChameleon]

Never mind... just took out the bark... My little guy hates the forums now, i woke him up to take the bark out.. Lol