grass on bottom

Homer8

New Member
would it be possible to have live grass as the substrate for the bottom of the enclosure? I think it would be really neat to have live grass and the droppings could act as a fertilizer.
 
I've heard of others planting their floor of their enclosure, but there's a couple of things to consider:

1. Drainage - how are you going to drain all your excess water so that you don't end up with a giant mud-puddle?

2. While the pooh as fertilizer works outdoors, it's not a good idea in a confined space. We try to remove the pooh as soon as possible from the cages, because it breeds bacteria, and if your cham were to go exploring and accidentally ingest it, or even just walk through it it could be bad news.

3. If this is your first cham may I suggest to not try anything too fancy and instead focus on perfect husbandry. Then, down the lines you can start experimenting with grass, or backgrounds after you have the basics down pat. Just my 2 cents. :eek:
 
I've heard of others planting their floor of their enclosure, but there's a couple of things to consider:

1. Drainage - how are you going to drain all your excess water so that you don't end up with a giant mud-puddle?

2. While the pooh as fertilizer works outdoors, it's not a good idea in a confined space. We try to remove the pooh as soon as possible from the cages, because it breeds bacteria, and if your cham were to go exploring and accidentally ingest it, or even just walk through it it could be bad news.

3. If this is your first cham may I suggest to not try anything too fancy and instead focus on perfect husbandry. Then, down the lines you can start experimenting with grass, or backgrounds after you have the basics down pat. Just my 2 cents. :eek:

i think i would be able to find a way for drainage but you make a good point. yes this will be my first cham and i am currently gathering all the supplies and knowledge i need to get going. I am going to hold off until after Christmas to get him or her.
I also do not know whether to get a male or female veiled,any suggestions?
 
If it is your first chameleon I would recommend a male. Mainly because females can lay eggs as early as 4 months of age.It's alot to learn and work to keep her healthy and a lay bin for her egg laying. If she doesn't have the right setup to lay her eggs she will become egg bound (stuck inside) and leads to death. A male would be a better way to go for first time cham owners. I found this out when we purchased our cham and realized after setting everything up he was a she. I am preping her lay been this weekend. We bought her at 4 months of age. Pet store said she was 2 months. Go figure :p

Here is a link about female chameleons

http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/2007/12/keeping-female-veiled.html

here is one on new cham owners and another to help sexing your new chameleon.
http://www.chameleonpages.com/caresheet.htm
http://www.veiled-chameleon.com/care-sheet.html

I hope this helps and best of luck to becomeing a new chameleon owner !!
 
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