Exo Terra Cage = Weak Grip?

[Zen Reptiles]

I'm convinced that these screen Exo Terra cages cause some problem with the muscles in the feet, among other problems I've had with the cages.

These ones:

I have three cages in different sizes. At the moment, I have some panthers paired up in the two bigger ones.

What I've noticed is that the two females that normally reside in these cages have had weak grips for a few months now, despite the same care as everyone else (the only difference is that they are in the Exo Terras, and I have switched to all Repashy...but everyone else is fine).

Now after introducing 2 males, they males have been in there for most of the days over the last 4 days....and now the males have weak grips and are falling. The two males have had strong grips, and I have been keeping an eye on them intentionally to see if the cage has anything to do with it...which I am now convinced of.

I don't know why, but something about the size of the screen or the material it is made of, affects the sharpness of their nails, and the strength of their grip. I have added so many alternative, different sized vines, plants, sticks, etc...but they still have a strong tendency to want to climb the screen sides....for the record, I'm not talking about them crawling on the screen top.

And for other consumers, do NOT waste your money on the Exo Terra screen cages. They have

1) gaps that so many bugs get through.
2) the way the screen is applied to the frame is very dingy.
3) the bottom can disconnect from the top if lifted the wrong way.
4) water pools at the bottom way too easily
5) the screen at the top caves in if you have lights on it.

Terrible product. I would recommend the alternative, which is the Zoo Med screen cages.

 

[ParabuthusKing]

I have to agree fully on the comments you made about their downsides, this is what I currently have my chameleons caged in, and it has become apparent that when the males are out looking for a mate, they crawl on the screen more frequently, which has filed their nails down as they try and grab hold of too small of holes in the screen. As for weakened muscles, this is a very interesting subject as I wonder if this is why my female sometimes randomly "falls over" I would love to hear others feedback

 

[Branman]

I have the same cage and my male tends to "fall over" too. I didn't know why he did that. But I never would've thought it was the cage. You guys are probably right thinking that it is the cage.

 

[djfishygillz]

Now after introducing 2 males, they males have been in there for most of the days over the last 4 days....and now the males have weak grips and are falling. The two males have had strong grips, and I have been keeping an eye on them intentionally to see if the cage has anything to do with it...which I am now convinced of.

.

you are housing two male chams together? in that size cage?

 

[Solid Snake]

I have lots of the same gripes about them. I kept my xanth in one for about 5months when I first brought her home. I have had no "issues" with her grip strength. However, a few months or so ago I had an issue with her sliding off the screen of her DIYcage. She would climb to the top and sorta just fall all the way to the bottom. Grab the screen and climb back up it, and fall to the bottom(4')! She would do this ALL DAY LONG. Like she wanted to get hurt. I chaulked it up to using repashy on her, I went back to rep-cal for her and all is well. You mentioning this makes me curious though...

 

[ryanells]

Wait...males crawl on the screen when looking for a mate..?