Is my Substrate okay?

[Livelaidback]

I just got my first veiled chameleon yesterday I believe she is a female and I got coconut fiber for he bottom of her terrarium. is that okay for her to be living in? the people at the store told me that is what I should get but I wanted to ask some more experienced people.!

 

[Psychobunny]

Welcome to the forum

No, it's not okay!!!!

You don't want ANY substrate at all in a cham cage, and esp a veiled cham.
They will eat it and become impacted.

Also, don't listen to what pet store employees tell you, ask your questions
here first.
They are told to sell customers all kinds of crap they do not need, that's how
they make their money, it's not the animals they sell, it's the supplies

If/ when she is ready to lay eggs, even infertile ones, you will know, and at that
time, need to provide her with a laying box, which can be a mixture of damp potting
soil and sand.
But other then the laying bow, you do not want any substrate which could be swallowed
either by accident, or otherwise.

You need to find out if she is already gravid too.

 

[jcarlsen]

Hi there!

You want to have a bare bottom. No substrate because it can grow bacteria and cause respiratory infections.

Don't listen to pet stores' advice on animals like that. What kind of enclosure did they sell you?

 

[Psychobunny]

Probably an expensive glass exoterra, with expensive hood, and all the expensive trimmings

Walk out the store $400.00 lighter

 

[Livelaidback]

I have a exo terra terrarium with a screen lid . And vines with fake leaves they told me to use the coconut fiber on the bottom but should I take it out ?! Is there something else that I should put in the bottom for her? And how do I find out if she is gravid?

 

[Livelaidback]

Any help at all it much appreciated!!! Thank you guys so much! I'm open to hear any advice you have to give!! I'm also feeding her medium to large crickets and meal worms should I supplement her anything else... And also are thee any fruits or vegetables she would eat? Also!! Any advice on stuff to put in her terrarium ?

 

[craig90]

Take the coconut fiber out and leave the bottom plain.

Live plants (non toxic) work better than fake vines as well. Veiled chameleons will munch on the leaves sometimes. Pothos or schefflerra are a couple good examples of plants to include.

 

[Tyaeda]

Welcome to the forums!

You came to the right place for information. I would also disagree with the substrate. Your chameleon may accidently eat a piece of it, and that could pose some serious health problems. With the amount of humidity a chameleon needs, the fiber is likely to get moldy very quickly. Crickets can end up borrowing and hiding in it... it's just not a pleasant thing.

One of the best things about owning a chameleon over another reptile is that they are often cleaner in comparison. The fact that you shouldn't use substrate makes cleaning the enclosure so much easier.


The only good thing about substrate is that it helps keep humidity in the cage. Most of us here maintain humidity by keeping non-toxic live plants in their cages, like Pothos, Schefflera, Hibiscus, and Ficus. Live plants serve many purposes in chameleon cages - humidity, climbing branches, hiding spots, drinking bowls (cause they drink from leaves, not bowls) and decor.

Unfortunately, even in the best of intentions, most big name, or common pet stores will be pretty limited in the knowledge department. But lucky for you, this forum is awesome. My chameleon Mr.Pink would not be alive if it wasn't for the people here. Don't be afraid to ask anything.

 

[Livelaidback]

ahh you guys are so awesome! thank you for helping! so if I am too put one of the correct live plants in my terrarium for her should it have some sort of soil ? and should i be giving her calcium suppliments?, I heard about the calcium supplements because the females might get calcium deficiency? the store did not tell me how old she was.

 

[DanSB]

While in this instance the advice is good about substrate I haven't ever heard of ground coconut choir causing impaction in an otherwise healthy, hydrated chameleon (or any animal). If I'm wrong I'm open to any legitimate proof it is a real impaction risk.

In my opinion the primary downside is the filth it will quickly accumulate. There are ways to safely use substrate for people experienced in naturalistic vivarium building. Bare bottoms look nice if done right and there is no reason anyone who is just starting should add the complication of any substrate to their chameleon enclosure. It is just one more variable that isn't required.

 

[pinsetter1991]

There's lots of good supplements out there, I use Repashy calcium plus, you can search the forums though, there's all kinds of different brands that people use. You should post a pic of the cage, then the guys on the forum can really tell you exactly what needs improvement.

 

[Psychobunny]

While in this instance the advice is good about substrate I haven't ever heard of ground coconut choir causing impaction in an otherwise healthy, hydrated chameleon (or any animal). If I'm wrong I'm open to any legitimate proof it is a real impaction risk.

In my opinion the primary downside is the filth it will quickly accumulate. There are ways to safely use substrate for people experienced in naturalistic vivarium building. Bare bottoms look nice if done right and there is no reason anyone who is just starting should add the complication of any substrate to their chameleon enclosure. It is just one more variable that isn't required.

"Proof" LOL!
Check out some of the necroscopy pics Dr. O took of pieces of bark and other objects he pulled out of the guts of dead chams.
And the OP didn't say 'ground' coconut fiber, he just said coconut fiber.

Veileds DO eat pieces of junk, weather it causes a problem or not, why take the chance.

I agree about the filth, it would be hard to find dead, rotting crickets and other
feeders in the substrate, and it would soon be a breeding ground for all sorts
of parasites and mold.

 

[Livelaidback]

how do I post the pictures I tried earlier and couldn't figure it out?!

 

[pinsetter1991]

go here...
https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-post-photos-video-3609/

 

[Livelaidback]

my enclosure!

 

[Livelaidback]

any tips on improvement I just bought a Golden Pothos to put in it after I wash it off and flush any harmful chemicals out of it!

 

[Juliaf3]

I've seen people on here go back and forth about these enclosures. One will say it's fine if cleaned and maintained properly, another will say your Cham is a dead Cham walking. I think what it probably boils down to. The amount of time you have to devote to him. I read a comment once about the fact that screen enclosures were more ideal for beginners or busy people. I don't really know the facts of it all. I just know I had one as well when I bought my first chameleon and when I read a lot of the things that can be caused by one, I dug in my pocket again and bought a screen enclosure. To me, it just wasn't worth the risk in my opinion. If you decide to do that, and think well what am I going to do with this perfectly good exoterra? I use mine for my crickets. Nice little crib for them. Anyway- best of luck to ya!

 

[Juliaf3]

Wait, what's underneath the tank? Also, how are
You getting the water out? I have a jackson, so I have to push a lot of water through my cage. Impossible to do without a drainage system. Your little Cham is so cute.

 

[Livelaidback]

underneath my tank is a little heating pad there is space between the pad and the tank but its not a warm room so that why I had that under there. I want to know more about this Exo Terra being problematic.... what type of problems can it cause? If I do put a lot of time into her and cleaning her terrarium every day is the Exo Terra still very problematic? Do they sell screen enclosures or do people make them on their own. I also was considering getting a mistking is that the best mister out there for them. Also I have been wiping out excess water on the bottom because I do not have a drainage system... Thank you I named her Layla!

 

[Livelaidback]

I saw that you can buy screen enclosures online if I were to buy a screen enclosure what is the best one? any opinions?! I really want the best for Layla so any advice or info would be great!