Safe citrus plants

[Thompson]

Are there certain citrus plants that are safe for my chameleon? If so what are some of the names of them?

 

[Syn]

I think most people tend to stay away from citrus trees because of the citrus, but I could be wrong.

 

[Thompson]

Ah ok lol thanks syn

 

[DGray]

I'm doing research on the question now, but so far it seems that citrus may be safe. Seems logical not to put them in with a known plant-eater, like a veied cham, until there's more data.

My first choice would be the Thai lime or mekrut, as the leaves are used in cooking, and are on the GRAS list. Lemons would be a close second.

 

[Thompson]

Thanks DGray! I look into those plants.

 

[ijmccollum]

Depending on the size of tai lime tree, you will be dealing with thorns -- nasty thorns so if you go that direction and don't mind trimming the thorns, okay. But also know that citrinella is made from some of them. I spent almost as much on my kaffir lime tree as I did Chi-Chi. She has her dedicated plants and I have mine.

 

[Thompson]

ah ok, I also read that the thorns make them feel safe and secure? Let me see if I can pull up the thread.

 

[ijmccollum]

so, is there anymore of a consensus on citrus plants for cham habitat - free range or otherwise? Curiouse because I keep some in indoor container.

 

[OldSkoolxReasons]

I'm sure in the wild they would feel safe with thorns on the plant but the can also ingest them when hunting or get their tongue pierced while hunting or get angry when you go into the cage to clean and strike at you and stab themselves or accidently step on them and they could poke their eyes out. I'm gunna say no unless you trim the thorns. They may make a wild chameleon feel safer but if it is a captive born cham that isn't used to using thorns for protection I'm sure it will be fine without them, plenty of people raise chams without thorns and they live long fruitful lives with the proper care. I just wouldn't want to see a thread titled "Help, my chameleon poked it's eye out..." in a couple weeks. It's better to be safe than sorry, at least with chams that is. I do think most citrus plants are safe, But then again I'm not a botanist so you'd have to ask someone else. Good luck.



Justin

 

[Thompson]

I'm sure in the wild they would feel safe with thorns on the plant but the can also ingest them when hunting or get their tongue pierced while hunting or get angry when you go into the cage to clean and strike at you and stab themselves or accidently step on them and they could poke their eyes out. I'm gunna say no unless you trim the thorns. They may make a wild chameleon feel safer but if it is a captive born cham that isn't used to using thorns for protection I'm sure it will be fine without them, plenty of people raise chams without thorns and they live long fruitful lives with the proper care. I just wouldn't want to see a thread titled "Help, my chameleon poked it's eye out..." in a couple weeks. It's better to be safe than sorry, at least with chams that is. I do think most citrus plants are safe, But then again I'm not a botanist so you'd have to ask someone else. Good luck.



Justin

Tha'ts a very good point about the thorns. Thanks for posting that

 

[rickerdw]

Are there certain citrus plants that are safe for my chameleon? If so what are some of the names of them?

I'm trying a lime tree. They don't have Thorns.. her is a video of my cage. Chameleon cage )

 

[rickerdw]

There is no thorns in a lime tree. That is what I'm using right now.. see video of my chameleon environment below
Touch here for video