cham nibbling on Curly Willow branches

[ChameLIonLover]

I recently got some curly willow branches from my girlfriend yard. They have been there, dead on the ground for a while. I stripped off the bark, although most of it was already bare of bark and put them into the cage last night.

Anyways, right away, my guy tried biting it. Again, this morning I saw him nibbling on it. Just wanted to make sure this was alright. He's done this with hibiscus branches before as well.

 

[carol5208]

Sometimes they will just bite and nibble on things like that. I don't know why nor I do I think anyone else knows. Some people say they are lacking minerals or vitamins in their diets but that is just an educated guess I believe. As long as he is not swallowing the pieces I think it is safe. I suppose they do it in the wild and there is no one to take it away from them if they do. Maybe they end up dying from biting off pieces of things they cannot pass. Who knows!

 

[mvad]

Branches on the ground have a greater probability of containing parasites or contaminants. Cutting fresh branches and washing them in soap and hot water or baking them in the oven will be better for your cham.

 

[ChameLIonLover]

Branches on the ground have a greater probability of containing parasites or contaminants. Cutting fresh branches and washing them in soap and hot water or baking them in the oven will be better for your cham.

I picked them up off of the ground... I made sure to rinse them, scraped off bark that was still there, wash with soap, and rinse again a few more times. If there are parasites though, that would not have been enough right?

 

[mvad]

I think as long as the wood/branches is/are not rotting or soft that should be fine.

 

[ChameLIonLover]

I think as long as the wood/branches is/are not rotting or soft that should be fine.

Yea it's not soft, or rotting or anything. I really hope there aren't parasites... What do you guys think? Can I get high quality branches with a nice shape that is for sure safe online or elsewhere?

Options:
1) cut fresh branches and take out the possible parasite infested branches
2) keep the branches (as a side note, they do look nice), and get a fecal testing in a couple weeks

 

[kinyonga]

Is it a panther chameleon?? They are known to chew on branches.

 

[ChameLIonLover]

Yes, my man Alby is a Panther Chameleon of the Nosy Be locale. Good to know. I just wanted to see if there is much risk if I rinsed the branches obtained (have been on ground exposed to the elements, dried out) thoroughly, cleaned them soap, scraped off most of the bark, and rinsed again.

I would have used the oven method but the main big branch I put in wouldn't have fit.

 

[leedragon]

could it be that is gum is itchy? if so it may be some kind of infection, I saw a thread about an eliot that use to rub himself to the branches and it turn out to be an infections

 

[kinyonga]

leedragon...biting is done for different reasons than rubbing.

 

[ChameLIonLover]

It sounds like the branches should probably be fine. I'm going to leave them in, and get a fecal done (still havn't gotten one since getting my cham in August) in a few weeks to make sure no parasites.

 

[leedragon]

leedragon...biting is done for different reasons than rubbing.

yes, but the reason could be the same, don´t you think?