OK to put Venus Fly Traps into Cham Cage?

Just above this thread is a data base of acceptable live plants...a quick search did not find a Venus Fly Trap.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/live-plant-database-2632/

One of my chameleons grabs insects out of the air....that would seem to make a Venus Fly Trap competition for her.

I guess my concern would be that something the chameleon did would trigger the plant's "grab it" mechanism....I hate to imagine my baby's tongue getting grabbed by a carnivorous plant that exudes digestive acids....
 
not safe

VFTs are poisonous and should not be put in animal environments.

I have a very good library of books on carnivorous plants and some experience; if you need references or more care info, PM me. You might find the carnivorous plant society's FAQ helpful too.
 
Elizadolots said:
J ...

I guess my concern would be that something the chameleon did would trigger the plant's "grab it" mechanism....I hate to imagine my baby's tongue getting grabbed by a carnivorous plant that exudes digestive acids....
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VFTs don't "grab" firmly at first, and any tongue strike would out before the plant closed.

They wouldn't pose any danger to a baby chameleon of any of the larger species. I suppose a baby pygmy might not be safe. Silly to put one anywhere near animals anyway.
 
I think a venus is fine. I doubt its toxic enough to do any harm but why put it in a cham cage. Maybe a pygmy, but not something like a panther or any thing as large. Dgray for future note ive used carnivorous plants in vivariums before and never had issues with any animals because of the plants. The plants dont always live long but there safe in opinion. you over worry about plants. Do some experimenting.
 
I think possibly someone has answered your question already. I have grown carnivorous plants for a long time. While there are some Asian pitcher plants that can trap small rodents, amphibians, and reptiles, there is no way a Venus' fly trap can handle a Chameleon. If you find one then please let me know.

It is more likely your Venus fly trap will die in the cage with the chameleon due to it's need for light, 80 percent humidity, and proper soil mixtures (sand and peat). I would recommend to any person interested in carnivorous plants to visit Cascade Carnivores and any of the other number of carnivorous plant dealers out there. Asian Pitcher plants could make good terrerium type plants but those are not the best places to keep chameleons. Anyway, feel free to PM me if you have other questions. Good luck and have no fear of placing a VFT with your cham.
 
PicassothePanther said:
Thanks Spearse. How big do VFT's get? I want a big one lol (not big enough to eat my guy but big enough to look cool)
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Check out Cascade Carnivores and California Carnivores online. Just Google them and you will see. I think the larges traps get to about an inch maybe a little bigger. I have seen them in North Carolina growing in the wild and they get like maybe 1/2 inch in size. So not too big. DGray below appears to have some good insight into the toxicity of CPs. Some are toxic and others are used in medicines which include sundews, butterworts, and the liquid contents from Asian pitchers. I could not imagine drinking that but I assume some aboriginal people do.
 
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james L said:
I think a venus is fine. I doubt its toxic enough to do any harm ...
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You are mistaken.

james L said:
...
Dgray for future note ive used carnivorous plants in vivariums before and never had issues with any animals because of the plants. ... you over worry about plants. Do some experimenting.
Click to expand...

Because you, in your short experience, have not yet had a problem does not make it safe.

I've been "experimenting" for about 40 years with reptiles and plants.

Let me know if you'd like some literature references on the toxicity of Dionaea.
 
You know nothing about me and the things ive done. I dont care if your 100 ive worked with many plants and animals through out my whole life please explain what will happen to an animal thats in the same enclosure with a dionaea? Im glad you own books good for you. You dont know everything and unless you have hard facts and proof then im going just write you off as just another know it all.
 
Regardless of toxicity. Aren't they kinda expensive? I don't put expensive plants in my enclosures. They end up getting beat up and have to endure quite a bit of abuse.
 
no theyre cheap.

i wouldnt worry about the trap trapping him.. its like a pitcher plant..

could u imagine coming home to ur chameleon drowned in the bottom of your pitcher plant? ughh that would be horrible!
 
Years ago I lost 2 ambanja neonates to a planter catch basin. Those were the only 2 babies i lost out of almost 30. I never imagined they could drown so easily in less than an inch of water.
 
the plant is not going to kill your cham in the sense that it will grab him, but what if he attempts to eat it? i say its a no go; no sense in taking an unneccesary risk.

however, if you really want the VFT set up a seperate terrarium for it. you could even throw other carnivorous plants in there which would make a really cool set-up, just dont throw anything with a heartbeat in there. just an idea.:)
 
My chameleons taste plants all the time Y risk it. its kinda like the coil bulbs they say the problems fixed but im still never going to use one on my pride and joy chameleons. They are like my kids to me.
 
James the plant will simply die off from lack of light, unless you hang it high, in which case it may well thrive, but it will catch your lizards bugs. bugger all will happen to the lizard, excepting perhaps it may eat some and get sick/die (i dont know about its toxidity to reptiles).
Eitherway, its just another 'how about' type thread, person wants to put plants that appeal to them in the cage, regardless of suitability/compatibility.
Neither marajuana or Dionea muscipula are found anywhere near chameleons in the wild.
If you want exotic exciting plants, look up your species original habitat and source young plants found there.
If you want a terrarium of exotic plants, leave the lizards out of it.
Another thread about folks vanity and ignorance. Boring!
 
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