Eating Fake Vines

[Julirs]

I use Fluker's bend a branches in several of my cages. I have noticed several of my chams trying to pull pieces off of it. I am starting to wonder if it is cricket flavored. My Oustalet, my female Veiled, and my male Nosy have all done it! Anyone else notice this?
http://www.reptilesupply.com/product.php?products_id=1848

 

[Chameleons By Design]

Hey Juli,
Its funny you posted this cause I use it in a couple of my cages. Im having the same issue a couple of our panthers can not stop biting it and trying to tare off a chunk. VERY WEIRD!!!!!!! Any suggestions anyone. I almost feel like biting into it to see what it taste like. Just kidding LOL

 

[VerteX]

My experience with those vines are that when you try to wash them in lukewarm soapy water, they disintegrate, and their surface becomes like a mush. They are cheaper than other brands' vines. Right now I use them in Kermit the veiled chameleon's cage. I didn't notice her bite it but I'm going to keep my eyes open from now on. It will be gone in the first offense!

 

[Dyesub Dave]

Hey Juli,

Unless the coating on those is made of something safe for them to ingest I would be a little concerned myself. My veileds will eat the leaves from some of the live plants in their enclosures but I use real grape vines and have never noticed any of my chams trying to eat it. I have some fake plastic ivy's and small leaved plants and have seen the chams get it in their mouths when they go for a cricket but they always spit it out.

I wouldn't trust anything that will disitegrate when washed. I also like the price of the real vines .... FREE !!

Dyesub Dave.

 

[kinyonga]

Its been documented a few times that chameleons (particularly panthers) chew on the bark of branches...so its always a good idea to make sure whatever is in the cage is non-toxic and won't cause impaction, IMHO.