Casket_Case
Avid Member
Does anyone know if Sugarcane plants are safe for chameleons to have in their enclosure? They’re in the family Pomaceae which is grasses so I’d assume so
Sugarcane Chameleon Safe?
- Thread starter Casket_Case
- Start date
Klyde O'Scope
Chameleon Enthusiast
If you want to be 'safe' I would stick with the known 'safes', including those that are empirically safe for veileds.
https://chameleonacademy.com/plants/
https://www.madcham.de/en/pflanzen-fuers-terrarium/
https://www.chameleons.info/l/safe-and-unsafe-plants/
I'm going to say no on sugarcane for the simple fact that I can't find anything in the archives or google, though I did find this: Diabetes in chameleons?
IDK that they could digest/assimilate the amount of sugar (bad carbs) should a veiled get the munchies.
There are also various molds, fungi, and other pathogens, which—while not the plant itself—could be toxic.
sugarcane toxicity
https://chameleonacademy.com/plants/
https://www.madcham.de/en/pflanzen-fuers-terrarium/
https://www.chameleons.info/l/safe-and-unsafe-plants/
I'm going to say no on sugarcane for the simple fact that I can't find anything in the archives or google, though I did find this: Diabetes in chameleons?
IDK that they could digest/assimilate the amount of sugar (bad carbs) should a veiled get the munchies.
There are also various molds, fungi, and other pathogens, which—while not the plant itself—could be toxic.
sugarcane toxicity
Alastair&Anna
Established Member
I agree, I have been scanning the internet for 10 minutes now and still can't find a definate answer, I would stick with the known safe plants.
Klyde O'Scope
Chameleon Enthusiast
How much money, brains, & time have you got?
I'm not trying to be flippant. I know enough "botany" to keep some plants alive (at least for awhile
) but practically nothing about toxicology. Testing implies (to me) science, research, laboratory... all of which can cost $ and take time.
Casket_Case
Avid Member
Yeah toxicology reports are crazy and you’d probably have to get chameleon blood stomach acid et cetera and nooooo I ain’t doing that. I was just wondering if some oddball might know if it’s alright.How much money, brains, & time have you got?
I'm not trying to be flippant. I know enough "botany" to keep some plants alive (at least for awhile
Casket_Case
Avid Member
I know botany really well I used to want to be a botanist for a really long time. I’ve never killed an orchid and I’ve had lots of different varieties. I want some challenges and some things no-one really keeps in enclosures to make mine pop. I do have an airplant that’s absolutely huge that I’ll add I’ll take a picture sometime.How much money, brains, & time have you got?
I'm not trying to be flippant. I know enough "botany" to keep some plants alive (at least for awhile
@Van_&_Alec said..."I was just wondering if some oddball might know if it’s alright"....I'm glad I didn't have an answer for you...I don't want to be an oddball! 
Klyde O'Scope
Chameleon Enthusiast
OH, NO YOU DIDENT!
Oddball? Amongst folk who keep reptiles in their domiciles ‽ I'm besulted!
(Not really)
Klyde O'Scope
Chameleon Enthusiast
Cool! I've never kept one alive!
Ah, the impetuousness of youth! I recall it well (and miss it often)—[Heavy Sigh...]
The Tillandsia should be fine; I have a few in with my beardie, and oddly enough, they're the only plants he hasn't demolished or eaten down to the nubs!
I appreciate the ambition. I did something similar when I filled half my beardie's enclosure with live plants. Everyone told me I was crazy, he'd destroy everything (he did, which is why we got/bought/planted 6 of everything), I was in for nothing but heartache and extra work...
Still... I only used plants that were beardie-safe, and I strongly urge anyone to stick to chameleon-safe plants, especially those with veiled chameleons. These are known lists:
https://chameleonacademy.com/plants/
https://www.madcham.de/en/pflanzen-fuers-terrarium/
https://www.chameleons.info/l/safe-and-unsafe-plants/
If you'd like some that are less common, and 'popping material', I suggest perusing the last 2 links.
Madcham in particular has some things you don't see often (at least on this side of the pond).
IDK if it's on any of the lists, but another is Madagascar Jasmine (if you can find one). Unfortunately, they're not available in my part of the world. Bought some seeds online, but couldn't get any to germinate.
Casket_Case
Avid Member
Yes they’re gorgeous!!! They caught my eye! It’ll fit the enclosure with the white flowersCool! I've never kept one alive!
Ah, the impetuousness of youth! I recall it well (and miss it often)—[Heavy Sigh...]
The Tillandsia should be fine; I have a few in with my beardie, and oddly enough, they're the only plants he hasn't demolished or eaten down to the nubs!
I appreciate the ambition. I did something similar when I filled half my beardie's enclosure with live plants. Everyone told me I was crazy, he'd destroy everything (he did, which is why we got/bought/planted 6 of everything), I was in for nothing but heartache and extra work...
Still... I only used plants that were beardie-safe, and I strongly urge anyone to stick to chameleon-safe plants, especially those with veiled chameleons. These are known lists:
https://chameleonacademy.com/plants/
https://www.madcham.de/en/pflanzen-fuers-terrarium/
https://www.chameleons.info/l/safe-and-unsafe-plants/
If you'd like some that are less common, and 'popping material', I suggest perusing the last 2 links.
Madcham in particular has some things you don't see often (at least on this side of the pond).
IDK if it's on any of the lists, but another is Madagascar Jasmine (if you can find one). Unfortunately, they're not available in my part of the world. Bought some seeds online, but couldn't get any to germinate.
This is the Tillandsia I have. It’s been sitting outside all summer to enjoy the heat and humidity. Just know I have big hands… I’m not sure if it’ll fit in my cage…
Casket_Case
Avid Member
The Spreading Airplant or Giant Airplant (Tillandsia Urticulata) it’s native to Florida and the Caribbean. They’re massive and they grow in colonies, they’re a bromeliad they collect water around the crown. I’ll take a picture when I get the oak leaves cleaned out of the water in it and I’ll take a video dumping it… it holds a lot. The ‘leaves’ actually turn purple near the ends you can see it if you look close. They grow in swamps and scrub land… a little piece of home while living in Georgia
Klyde O'Scope
Chameleon Enthusiast
That... must be the biggest Tillandsia I've ever seen.
Are you going to put that poison ivy in as well?
Klyde O'Scope
Chameleon Enthusiast
The 3 I have are tiny. When I bought them, they were red, orange, & yellow, but they've since all lost their colors. I probably didn't do something right—they've spent the last 2 years paperclipped to the back wall of the beardie's box.
Casket_Case
Avid Member
Nah lol it’s not even gotten into the Tillandsia’s basket. Tillandsia isn’t even attached to anything so no hitchhikers and yeah I’m proud of this thing.That... must be the biggest Tillandsia I've ever seen.
Are you going to put that poison ivy in as well?
Were they just painted or were they flowering?
Klyde O'Scope
Chameleon Enthusiast
I had no idea they painted them. FRAUD!!!
No flowering; they're really tiny—like 1-2"
No flowering; they're really tiny—like 1-2"
Casket_Case
Avid Member
It’s like the fake flowers on cacti and succulents! I hate it
Klyde O'Scope
Chameleon Enthusiast
Likewise—I don't blame you. Our cacti bloom just fine.
