Plants & leaf litter questions

[Kimmers]

From reading many posts here and other webpages I understand that substrate is not recommended. I'm wondering how this relates to plants in pots. Does the soil have to be covered? With what?

Also I've seen pictures of dried leaves as a substrate of sorts. What species are the leaves? I assume I can't just collect from my backyard. Where can I purchase them?

(I'm still in the research stage. I have not decided if I can provide the appropriate habitat and care for a chameleon.)

 

[ealizard]

I am wondering the same thing, I am going to try and use screen to cover the dirt ,I used it for my cat to keep out of the big pots, just cut a circle out the size of inside of your pot , then cut a smaller one so the plant fits then split it ,or even landscape fabric. witch just came to me ,good luck,

 

[Calypso]

You can use substrate, but it has to be something that if they do ingest it during hunting it can be processed through their system. Try to stay away from coconut fiber, moss, and sticks/bark. I use a mix of t-rex jungle bedding, hydroton balls, and reptibark. If you have a female, make sure you have an area deep enough for her to lay her eggs. She'll want to bury them so it'll have to been deep enough. I have a large clear zoo med box of some sort filled with the same substrate just to where it's heaped up about 9 inches of substrate floor. At the same time you don't have to have substrate if you don't want to spend the money. Wet paper towels without ink along the bottom of the cage will work. Just make sure humidity is staying in the right areas. This can actually make cleaning the cage much easier, but personally I wouldn't recommend it.

 

[PantherEnvy]

Exchange your plant soil with organic potting soil. Then use large rocks (large enough so your cham cannot swallow them) to cover the dirt around the plant. Substrate is not recommended. PERIOD. You can use on the floor of your enclosure- artificial turf (thats what I use), or nothing. Some enthisiasts lay down some paper towels also. You will also be able to provide an appropriate habitat for your chameleon because you are in the right place to learn EVERYTHING about chameleon husbandry. Welcome!

 

[Kimmers]

Artificial turf and leaves

I saw the artificial turf at my local pet store. (Yes I know to be very careful of my purchases.) I thought that perhaps having several pieces would make it easier to clean. I could just switch them out and rinse. I realize this would require careful thought to set up.

I am still intersted in knowing what the leaf litter.

Thank you.

 

[oldskoolmodder]

I had thought about turf for snakes before I got into chameleons as well. The only thing I could see is it being VERY hard to clean it often enough and well enough to not hold a lot of bacteria in it's little fake grassy-ness.

I'm pretty particular about the substrate I use for my reptiles, and in the case for the chameleon I agree with what I've read several times. NO SUBSTRATE. I've even seen dissection pictures here on the forums where the reason of death was substrate in their little digestion track.

I'm keeping my guy with out a lot of foliage right now because he's young, I don't want hunting to be a problem. But when I get a pot those big smooth river rocks sound like the perfect idea to cover the soil, they look really great when wet too

 

[sandrachameleon]

small vivariums with pygs or chams that are more terrestrial than aboreal usually DO have substrate

most european's do use substrate for all chams - usually cocofibre type stuff. bark is not recommended. Generally anything chunky or long (like moss) that can get stuck or twisted internally if injested is to be avoided. Most people on this forum go without substrate for the larger species/enclosures as its unnecessary, and its easy to clean up a bare cage floor. Plus easier to avoid gnats.

you can cover plant soil with river rocks