Real Branches Yay or Nay?

[LeahMcL]

I have a 8 month old veiled chameleon and going to get an Extra Large Reptibreeze. I need to get some more leaves and branches. The pet store said we can't use real branches from outside but we are not sure because they might just want us to buy their supplies. If we can't could we buy some from michaels craft store? Thanks!

 

[DeviousMike]

I have a 8 month old veiled chameleon and going to get an Extra Large Reptibreeze. I need to get some more leaves and branches. The pet store said we can't use real branches from outside but we are not sure because they might just want us to buy their supplies. If we can't could we buy some from michaels craft store? Thanks!

You sure can. I believe people bake them or boil them or something like that to prepare them for their enclosures. And yes, they are trying to get you to buy stuff. Lots of stores recommend fake everything too. There are great deals at Michael's for viney stuff. Also check hardware stores for wooden dowels that you can easily mount to your cage using thumb tacks.

 

[summoner12]

I use real where I can. Just make sure there isn't anything growing on the branch you don't want the cham to eat.

 

[drewtt]

I agree with DeviousMike.

Over the years, I have found grapevine wood to be very easy to work with. Its very strong, easy to clean (holds up during boiling, if you wish to do so), and easy to bend around/maneuver in a cage. I grew up in an area rich with wild grapes, so it was always easy to find. When I moved to suburbia, I posted on a classifieds site asking if anyone had some and I got a response from a local guy who had a load of it growing in his back yard.

Drew

Edit: I do not mean the thick, cured branches of grapevine you can get at pet stores. I mean the younger, thinner branches, not from the base of the plant, that grow like weeds.

 

[Cainschams]

Yeah, sounds like the store wants you to buy outrageously expensive fake crap from them Why can you not use real sticks??? Do they live on fake trees in the wild

Seriously, though. I have been using sticks straight out of the yard forever. Oak, maple and now hops vines with no problems. I really dont get why people bake them either. There is no need. I go find dried sticks that have thin bark (so no flakes are digested by an animal), cut them to size and place them in the enclosure. If you feel inclined you can strip the bark but I dont bother. If anything I would say fake plants are the ones with more danger. If a chameleon takes a bit of a plastic leaf its much less likely to be able to digest and pass it than if it took a bite of a stick or bark.

Edit: As summoner said too, make sure there isnt any fungus or something like that growing on the branch.

I bet grape vines work like a charm!!

 

[yokman]

I like bamboo sticks that you can buy at wal mart for tomato's and you get a 7 foot stick for 88cents. If you feel it is to slick u can hot glue sum thread around it for "traction".

 

[Ekaj13]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with real branches. Also you can buy grapevine wreaths from hobby stores, soak em in water for a day and zip tie them around the cage.

I firmly believe one should use live plants/ dead branches whenever possible.

 

[Silkyslim]

I went real with all my cages and won't change that anytime soon. Can't argue with the deals nature provides you with.

Word to the wise though, I have had my branches in the enclosure for about 4 months now and it is time to change them out. I went and baked the sticks for sanitation purposes but my automatic mister has loosened up the bark on some sticks and I find my cham trying to snack on the moist wood sometimes. I have read of other chams trying to eat the nubs of the sticks so next time I put fresh sticks in I will be sanding off the nubs and probably taking off the bark to save my piece of mind in the future.

 

[summoner12]

I like to use garden soaker hose as well in my cages. I use LOTS of it in my free ranges.