Nails of my cham

[dragonola]

So my cham is about two years old and fairly large.. But has a habit of climbing the screen cage but the holes are only like, the size of a fruit fly... And it has really made his nails look, well... Not very good. He is very healthy overall anyway and this is his only problem.

The nails are not broken just more pointed than curved... How do I fix this?

 

[Lathis]

I think the only way to prevent further damage and possible nail loss is to give him alternative pathways. He probably doesn't really LIKE climbing the screen. Even my little Jax doesn't prefer the screen if he has another option.



Your cham probably has regular pathways he takes. You might try filling in his regular routes with a combination of plastic construction fabric, vines and branches mounted vertically, bird ladders, and other accessories. If he has options, he will probably prefer something that he can grip better than the screen. It may take some patience and tweaking to get it just right. I still end up moving things around occasionally.



If he is a really dedicated screen climber, you might consider lining the entire inside of his cage (or replacing the screen) with 1/8" or 1/4" plastic construction fabric. It's not as pretty as screen but the larger size with not trap and damage toes.



Just a few ideas to consider.

 

[junglefries]

Construction netting. looks horrible, but can look good if done right. really is the way to go.

 

[Djturna4thakidz]

I got 1/4" plastic garden mesh from Home Depot and cut it to fit each side. I then put the mesh inside the screen and only on three sides, not the front. It actually looks pretty cool. If you take your time it can look professional. It also makes it easier to attach perches and things too.

 

[werecat]

Our chameleon is/was a screen climber. We got several of his favorite vines and tied them (with fishing line) along the sides of the cage forming lots of foothold loops. (Loops should be large enough for his body to fit through incase he decides to climb through them.) These loops are placed all over the side and back of the cage forming little "ladders". I think these have helped him a lot and reduced his screen climbing. They also look nice/natural.

 

[dragonola]

Thank you so much! I like the idea of a ladder!! I will get a couple things for him this afternoon.. thanks for all the feedback

 

[Psychobunny]

Sméagol scratches on the walls too, he wants me to let him out, it drives me nuts, plus, cant be very good for his nails.
I just watched were he scratches most, then stuck a bunch of fake leaves, vines, wooded ladders, etc.
He can still find little patches to scratch at, but with no leverage, it's reduced
it quite a lot. Just cover those areas: