Exo Terra Product Review Question?

[Motherlode Chameleon]

Everyone I just have got a review question about Exo Terra Terrariums. I have got a couple that I have been using for a while for insects and chameleons. And I have developed a question. The question is the foam background that comes with the Exo Terra's terrariums (I have not been the biggest fan of) I have been reluctant to use as I normally allow my chameleons to hunt and am reluctant to allow crickets to chew on the foam background and gut load themselves with this foam. Not wanting to feed foam gut loaded insects to my chameleons. My question is has any long term keepers using Exo Terra's with their foam background noticed any chewing from feeder insects? If there is significant chewing (or even minimal) I think I'm going to use cork bark or another organic background or give a review to Exo Terra to develop a organic background for their terrariums.

Jeremy A. Rich

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

I have pygmies in an exoterra with the foam background and ocassionally I will see small crickets nibbling on it. But not enough to even make a noticeable spot or disrupt the color on it. I did know someone whose crickets crewed out a little cave in the background and any other crickets seemed to be drawn to it and would nibble at it also. So the risk is there.

 

[bradley]

I always take them out for chams to give them as much space as possible. I do use a background in my phelsuma tank and I have not noticed any holes from crickets. They are gutloaded beore they get chucked n and because the enclosure is all live planted I would hope they would eat the plants instead of the foam if hungry.

 

[Motherlode Chameleon]

I have pygmies in an exoterra with the foam background and ocassionally I will see small crickets nibbling on it. But not enough to even make a noticeable spot or disrupt the color on it. I did know someone whose crickets crewed out a little cave in the background and any other crickets seemed to be drawn to it and would nibble at it also. So the risk is there.

I always take them out for chams to give them as much space as possible. I do use a background in my phelsuma tank and I have not noticed any holes from crickets. They are gutloaded beore they get chucked n and because the enclosure is all live planted I would hope they would eat the plants instead of the foam if hungry.

They nibble. I think I'm either going to just totally remove them or make some kind of organic substitute. That way makes the most sense even though the background is aesthetically pleasing.

 

[LLLReptile]

The crickets can and do sometimes eat the foam backgrounds, and in large quantities foam is not a good thing for your animals to be eating (as you would expect).

For most situations, it's easy to remedy by not leaving too many crickets in the cage - if the chameleon is eating them all, then there aren't any left out to eat the foam. Tweezer feeding your chameleon is another option, which is time consuming but enables you to know exactly how many feeder items your chameleon is eating. A third option is to use a feeder cup for your chameleons, which is what we use in our breeding center. We use disposable mealworm dishes with a lip on them to prevent escapes, as well as taller plastic cups for crickets. This helps keep the feeder items from escaping - and in your case, keeps them from eating the styrofoam and causing problems.

Hope that helps!

-Jen