Need ficus...but sturdier?

[heather89]

So I built an enclosure with all live plants and the main large plant is a ficus (bejaminoni-something-or-other). Unfortunately it has already lost about 1/2 of it's leaves (in a weeks time) because of my 150 gram male panther climbing all over it. So my question is, what do I get that is similar to a ficus with sturdy, plentiful branches, but that will be able to keep it's leaves under the weight and grip of my boy? It needs to be about 4-5 foot tall.

 

[jannb]

Do you have plenty of branches from him to crawl around on? I often wrap branches around my trees. I'll see if I can find a picture for you.

You can see a picture of how we add branches to our trees here:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/new-chameleon-tree-canvas-chameleons-128974/

 

[heather89]

Do you have plenty of branches from him to crawl around on? I often wrap branches around my trees. I'll see if I can find a picture for you.

You can see a picture of how we add branches to our trees here:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/new-chameleon-tree-canvas-chameleons-128974/

I might try adding more branches, but I do have quite a few in there. He likes rummaging in the leaves though. :/

 

[jannb]

You could try a large Schefflera. That might work better than the Ficus. My ficus always drops leaves inside.

 

[Carlton]

There are different species of Ficus available at larger nurseries. Look for Ficus alli...it has longer lance-shaped leaves than F. benjamina (aka "weeping fig") and it grows larger with sturdier trunks. Call around to houseplant supplies and larger nurseries for it.