perch diameters

[poppototamus]

my male veiled has perching sticks of varying diameters in his cage but he seems to prefer the ones that are the smallest. it looks to me like it would be pretty uncomfortable standing on a thin stick all the time so i'm considering replacing them with thicker ones, am i just being paranoid or can chameleons get foot and leg problems from standing on perches that are too thin?

 

[Jay1501]

They can yes but you can never have to much variety as he grows he will move to the thicker ones so its best to have all sorts of different sizes to excersise There feet

 

[nightanole]

You need a variety of sizes to prevent "bird foot". However normally they sleep on the very outside of the bush, so that might be why he is preferring the thin ones.

 

[DavidBuchan]

Agreed.....as with most things chameleon a variety is best. You don't mention how big your chameleon is, but if he has options and prefers the thinner ones then I think you should leave them in.......
My 2 year old Veiled has some thicker branches that he uses, but he still regularly tightrope walks along wires, and tends to sleep on thinner branches (anti predator instinct).
There would only be a problem if the chameleon had no option. Otherwise you can assume that if he is uncomfortable with the branch he is on then he will move to a better branch.

 

[LLLReptile]

As others have pointed out, variety is good for them and the chameleon is picking the perches he likes best. I'd leave them in, since he clearly likes them!

Offering your chameleon options lets them select the conditions they prefer best, and since they know themselves better than we do, it's best to let them pick and choose as they need!

-Jen

 

[Motherlode Chameleon]

A selection is good. However large chameleons normally prefer branches with larger circumferences (my Parsonii) and smaller chameleon prefer a variety of branches with smaller circumferences. Hope that helps you make your selection.