Ficus in small dragon strand for first chameleon

[Russcham1]

I will be acquiring my first chameleon this month. I have a 16x16x30 dragon strand and bought a ficus to put in the cage but the ficus will almost completely fill the enclusure from the pot up. I could trim the ficus but am afraid that it will drop its leaves since it's being moved and trimmed. I also read the sap can bother chameleon eyes? Would you recommend leaving it in and stuffing vines and branches in with it or just using vines and branches with fake plants until he upgrades to a larger cage?

 

[MSMorgan]

Often times, it is best to fill the enclosure, so that your little guy has plenty of places to hide and crawl around on. A picture is worth a thousand words and will help you/us get you on the right track.

 

[Carlton]

You can certainly prune the Ficus so there are pathways through dense foliage. Tiny delicate twigs may break as your cham climbs around on it so you can anticipate and prune the ones most vulnerable. Whether you prune it or not, it will probably drop leaves because of the change in light it senses from the new location. Also, as it adjusts itself to the cage it will probably self-prune the leaves on branches that don't get much light from above anyway. You can put it in the cage to figure out the fit, remove it and prune, rinse the plant to get rid of the worst of the fresh sap, let the remaining sap on the pruning cuts dry, and then use it.

 

[Andee]

I wouldn't use a ficus if you are getting a veiled. Otherwise they make great plants

 

[Russcham1]

I will put the ficus into the enclosure when I get home and post a pic. I am going to get a veiled as my first, why not a ficus for veileds over other species? Good idea on rinsing the ficus after trimming. Thank for the replies.

 

[Andee]

Veileds tend to eat the vegetation in their cages, ficus produce a sap that is an irritant and can make a chameleon that eats too much of it very sick.

 

[Russcham1]

I guess it doesn't fill the enclosure as much as I initially thought.

 

[Russcham1]

Ok I have my cage set up. Mist king rain system, Arcadia 24" T5 6% with 6.5K bulb, 50 watt basking light, Ficus, branches, and a vine. Installed a feeding cup for roaches and worms. Shower curtain covering back and right side to contain spray in the dragon strand 16x16x30 cage. Any suggestions on my set up? I also have another plant to place but need to either replace dirt or add rock sto prevent fertilizer ingestion.