Some or none?

So I've read how you should have some substrate down, and how you should have none. Many people say to use paper towels or newspapers but if you're misting and so on, wouldn't they get all soggy? Would it be easier to just spot clean and have a drainage hole?
 
I don't have any substrate in my girl Pascal's cage. Mine has a removable bottom with a little swing up door too, so it's easy to just take out and clean without disturbing her. Also, if you have a screen cage the substrate gets everywhere on the floor, and if you just throw food in there and let them hunt it down, then the feeders will burrow into the substrate. I have found many dead crickets in my substrate when I had it. No substrate is also easier to spot clean. Overall it was just a hassle for me to have substrate.
 
Also, some chameleons, especially veileds, will eat some of the substrate, which can cause impaction, and a visit to the vet!
 
So I've read how you should have some substrate down, and how you should have none. Many people say to use paper towels or newspapers but if you're misting and so on, wouldn't they get all soggy? Would it be easier to just spot clean and have a drainage hole?
As we say so often, the answer is "it depends". Many people use paper towels as they are easy to exchange when they get dirty. Yes, they will get wet, but if your cage dries out daily that's OK. Actually, the towels absorb moisture and help slow down evaporation a little. Some people use substrates to make a more "naturalistic" terrarium, but it takes planning to keep it working. You don't want to use substrate that has chunks of bark or moss that could be picked up on the cham's tongue if its shooting at loose feeders. They can ingest it and cause intestinal injuries or a blockage. Loose feeders burrow into it, it can get moldy, boggy, smell, and accumulate old fecal and urate matter. Many keepers just create a simple bare cage floor and put in a drain. There's a sticky message at the top of the Enclosures and Supplies forum that gives all sorts of ideas for cage floor drainage.
 
So I've read how you should have some substrate down, and how you should have none. Many people say to use paper towels or newspapers but if you're misting and so on, wouldn't they get all soggy? Would it be easier to just spot clean and have a drainage hole?

If I use substrate, its coco fiber. I will also only cup/hand feed these cages, no free roaming feeders. For the most part, I have bare floors with drains, as I like to really get them wet once a week. It helps clean the cage, plants and chameleons eyes.
 
If I use substrate, its coco fiber. I will also only cup/hand feed these cages, no free roaming feeders. For the most part, I have bare floors with drains, as I like to really get them wet once a week. It helps clean the cage, plants and chameleons eyes.
Okay thanks! I did have coco fiber down but I want some free roaming crickets so he/she can hunt. I'm going to be puttin drainage holes in my substrate tray but I was wondering how many times on average you're supposed to mist in a day?
 
Okay thanks! I did have coco fiber down but I want some free roaming crickets so he/she can hunt. I'm going to be puttin drainage holes in my substrate tray but I was wondering how many times on average you're supposed to mist in a day?
My train of thought on this is If you need to maintain a higher level of humidification like with montane species then I use a substreight, but when humidity isn't as hard to maintain as in veiled, or panther I find no substreight to be best, and easer because like was said it has to be set up properly, and maintained. How often you mist depends entirely on your cham's drinking habits, and your humidity requirements. It is something you will have to work with and figure out yourself I'm afraid. Just remember some cham's take a while before they realize hay I think I will drink. Good luck I hope I was of some help.
 
I have a water tight container on the bottom of my cage. It only sits a 1/2 in height so any crickets fall they crawl over the edge and is tight all the way around the outside of the cage. It collects all the water and anything that drops. I also use Dragon ledges, so all my plants are in suspended. I slide it out and clean once a week. Pretty easy. lllreptile has them on their site. Little pricey for what they are, but works great! When I get home if you want I can send you a pic.
 
My train of thought on this is If you need to maintain a higher level of humidification like with montane species then I use a substreight, but when humidity isn't as hard to maintain as in veiled, or panther I find no substreight to be best, and easer because like was said it has to be set up properly, and maintained. How often you mist depends entirely on your cham's drinking habits, and your humidity requirements. It is something you will have to work with and figure out yourself I'm afraid. Just remember some cham's take a while before they realize hay I think I will drink. Good luck I hope I was of some help.

Well said. You must observe and fine tune for his/her's individual needs.
 
Guess I have one on my phone.
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