Is any substrate ok?

[SunnyBaby]

Hello again,
Quick question. I've notice that my Sunny spends time on the bottom ohis screen cage. Not a lot of time but he will get off the Jasmin tree I have and walk across to the other side and crawl up another plant. Is there any safe substrate to but in there? Right now I have a bit of coconut husk in there but not sure if its save since I don't want him eatting it if he crosses paths with a cricket. Any suggestions? Please and thank you

 

[ISA my Veiled]

Hello again,
Quick question. I've notice that my Sunny spends time on the bottom ohis screen cage. Not a lot of time but he will get off the Jasmin tree I have and walk across to the other side and crawl up another plant. Is there any safe substrate to but in there? Right now I have a bit of coconut husk in there but not sure if its save since I don't want him eatting it if he crosses paths with a cricket. Any suggestions? Please and thank you

Get out the coco husk, if he does happen to eat it out of curiosity(they find things that interest them and shoot at them lol) or the prey just so happens to get down there they can become impacted from it. Honestly just use paper towel and change it every other day. That is what I do and I know several other people on the forum do that with great results.

 

[Swayne8998]

Get out the coco husk, if he does happen to eat it out of curiosity(they find things that interest them and shoot at them lol) or the prey just so happens to get down there they can become impacted from it. Honestly just use paper towel and change it every other day. That is what I do and I know several other people on the forum do that with great results.

That's what ya gotta do...

 

[jaredg87]

Hello again,
Quick question. I've notice that my Sunny spends time on the bottom ohis screen cage. Not a lot of time but he will get off the Jasmin tree I have and walk across to the other side and crawl up another plant. Is there any safe substrate to but in there? Right now I have a bit of coconut husk in there but not sure if its save since I don't want him eatting it if he crosses paths with a cricket. Any suggestions? Please and thank you

id take the husk out asap. They will eat lots of stuff out of curiosity. Dr O has a post on one of his chameleons dying after eating a gutloading cube for crickets. Ive seen my little girl shoot her tongue at a pile of poo!. I put a towel at the bottom of her cage to absorb. I clean urine and poop the second i see it and change the towel daily to prevent any mold build up.

 

[ISA my Veiled]

That's what ya gotta do...

How nice of you to agree lol

 

[SunnyBaby]

This is why I love this page!!! Thank you all!!!! I would have never thought of useing something as easy as paper towels or regular ol' towels! The things I've learned from you guys is awesome, thanks again and I will be cleaning up that coco mess ASAP!

 

[ISA my Veiled]

This is why I love this page!!! Thank you all!!!! I would have never thought of useing something as easy as paper towels or regular ol' towels! The things I've learned from you guys is awesome, thanks again and I will be cleaning up that coco mess ASAP!

Anytime, this forum has some really nice people that are always willing to help. Make sure though that you change the paper towel often. I also, because my cage is on a wooden stand put a plastic garbage bag underneath to prevent the moister from destroying my stand

 

[Solid Snake]

In my opinion, the only "safe" substrate, is a clean, chemical free soil, and there should not be much of it exposed in the cage.

Like if the entire enclosure is planted, and there is a bit of open soil here and there.

Even then, if the animal is ingesting more than a very small amount, and on rare occasions, it may need to be covered/removed.

Soil could still cause impaction in more than small amounts.

Some people consider purposely ingesting soil to be a sign the animal is lacking essential minerals, and even a beneficial thing in smaller amounts, as they can get these minerals from the soil.

If my chameleon eats a feeder off the ground, and there is a little dirt on it, I dont think anything of it.

I have never seen my chameleons sit and eat mouthfuls of dirt, though Ive heard of others reporting this.

The coconut husk is much more dangerous though in my opinion, and just unnecessary.

It will just hold water, and breed bacteria.

Soil allows you to plant the enclosure, and create a naturalistic setup. It will still drain water, and can be seeded with springtails, and other bugs like rollie pollies as a clean up crew.

The only exposed soil in my indoor setups, is in my pothos plants.
(as those are too !@#$ hard to cover up, and I dont see that it is necessary)

Outside, my enclosures are buried, and the bottoms are fully planted with trees, and grasses, and there is very little soil exposed, but there is some.

The best way to go for an indoor setup is a bare floor, as it will be much easier to keep things clean, and sanitary.

This is just how I feel about it though, please keep in mind soil/debris is still dangerous, and your animal should be monitored closely if there is exposed soil in the enclosure.

 

[SunnyBaby]

Anytime, this forum has some really nice people that are always willing to help. Make sure though that you change the paper towel often. I also, because my cage is on a wooden stand put a plastic garbage bag underneath to prevent the moister from destroying my stand

Great tip with the garbage bags since my little guys cage is on top of my dresser. Thank you...

 

[jurjenfromholland]

i use special soil.... its realy fine ...
the finest there is...
and dont have any problems yet with it...
the only thing thath happends is when a little tiny bit of skin is
on the ground he can shout it and get some dirt...
but that isnt harmfull because its so fine.. even when its
wett... but anyone has his own oppione about that
some use some dont.. i just like the way it looks i rather look
at a look a like jungle then a jungle with a paper towel on the
bottom

 

[ISA my Veiled]

Great tip with the garbage bags since my little guys cage is on top of my dresser. Thank you...

Anytime glad I could help you

 

[froggielog]

The only exposed soil in my indoor setups, is in my pothos plants.
(as those are too !@#$ hard to cover up, and I dont see that it is necessary)

Ikr?! darnn pothos