Decor

[ElusiveExotics]

Hello, First time posting on here

I am looking to add more branches to my chameleons enclosure, Is it possible to use Branches I find outdoors?, Do they have to be from a certain kind of tree? & what are the ways to "clean" them?. Thanks in advance.

 

[Olimpia]

Hi and welcome!

Yea, totally. I prefer to cut down fresh branches since live branches haven't begun to decay like branches on the ground, and usually won't have holes or bugs living in them. Avoid plants that are toxic (FL Chams has a safe plant list), or irritating (like Brazilian pepper), or sappy like pine.

I just rinse mine off but some people will clean them with hot water and soap or bleach, and/or bake them in the oven at about 350* for 15-20 minutes.

 

[SaintJimmy]

Yep! Just go with what Olimpia said for the branches.

I might be a bit paranoid, but I set my oven to 500 degrees, then once it hits 500 degrees, turn the oven off, then put the sticks in. But that kind of makes the sticks smell like burned popcorn so I don't do that anymore.

I just let them dry outside if I've freshly cut them, and then I do this with them.

Here's a whole tutorial I put together for the fishing line method of hanging sticks. Of course, tacks are just as good (if the stick is soft enough to have a tack through the end).

https://www.chameleonforums.com/diy-sticks-tutorial-125816/



I tie the knots pretty sturdily, so my sticks only wiggle around if they're curved sticks. I still need to get rid of one that's curved, sometimes it gets Monty off balance and he will almost fall! In fact, right now I'm cutting the branch out.

Anyway, that's the basics. I also sand down any bumps or edges (sometimes even the bark if it's too rough) and also the ends where I cut the stick, so that it doesn't poke the screen. I like to make the ends of my sticks very round.