Soil/Leaf Substrate?

[mhfan305]

I will be putting carpet in my terrarium, but I was wondering if it would be a good idea to put an inch of soil at the bottom packed down and covered with live oak leafs or some other leaves that hold humidity well like magnolia. Since I will be feeding the chameleon from a cup I don't think he will get impacted. I will be cleaning the terrarium once a week but I still think carpet can harbor harmful bacteria even when cleaned right. The leaves will be a better solution in that it will raise humidity and look a lot better than carpet. The only problem is the maintenance of retrieving these leaves. I would have to get a garbage bag full at one time to last me a while, if I can get that many. If I were go this route, at what temperature and for how long do I have to bake the leaves in the oven to kill anything harmful without burning them all up? Is it worth the trouble just for looks and humidity?

 

[SaintJimmy]

Even while cup feeding, chams are still curious/like to eat random stuff. I've heard of chams shooting at dumb things like erasers and dustbunnies while free ranging..

Just because he eats out of a cup does not mean he won't fancy a bite of leaves now and then.

If you plan on using leaves keep in mind
-crickets will jump out of feeder cup, most likely will hide in leaves
-bacteria THRIVES in substrate, not good at all to have
-no leaves with spikes (oak leaves especially) should be used (in fact no substrate is better)

My cham has a calcium imbalance so he feels that it's necessary to attempt to move the rocks out of the way of my plant's soil and attempt to eat it (each time he fails) until I get his calcium back to par.

But in general people will tell you that substrate is not a good idea. There are easier ways to keep up humidity.

 

[mhfan305]

Thats too bad. I have a mister and fogger so that and live plants and he should be good with humidity. I thought of the crickets jumping out of the cup and hiding meaning he will hunt them and might get a leaf in the mouth, there big leaves though compared to his mouth so I dont think he'd swallow anything. My main concern is even though it is a screened cage, there is a possibility of fungi building up on the leaves especially where the fog and mist often falls onto. It is a wild caught chameleon though, I would think having leaves at the bottom and some hard packed soil wouldn't hurt. And don't you think it depends on the species of chameleon when it comes to eating leaves? Some aren't omnivores at all from what I understand. And wouldn't he know to go for the live leafs that he climbs onto than the dead ones on the floor? Really, the main concern is the bacteria and fungi building up on the leaves from all the misting and fogging, but if I clean it once a week I don't think that's a big concern...correct?

 

[Lathis]

I think you'd have to replace the soil and leaves completely each week to avoid fungus/bacteria buildup.

Make it easy on yourself and avoid the substrate. Fill out the enclosure with potted plants - much easier to clean and move about.

 

[mhfan305]

I think you'd have to replace the soil and leaves completely each week to avoid fungus/bacteria buildup.

Make it easy on yourself and avoid the substrate. Fill out the enclosure with potted plants - much easier to clean and move about.

All my plants will still be in pots. I would do a full cleaning of the terrarium once a week. Meaning replacing the soil and the leaves. Do you know at what temperature and for how long should I bake the leaves to get rid of any harmful things?

 

[Lathis]

I typically see people recommend 350 degrees for 15 minutes. I would lay leave flat on a baking tray and keep an eye on them (spontaneous oven fires are no good!)



I think if you are dedicated to hygiene AND your cham doesn't bother the leaves, you could probably make substrate work. I'm sure there are folks who have done that successfully for years.



I'm too lazy to keep up with all that, myself so I stick with a bare bottom enclosure that I can wipe clean.

 

[mhfan305]

I'll probably have carpet for a month until I get a chance to collect a garbage bag full of leaves. I will experiment with them for a while. I can always switch back to carpet if it becomes a problem. I am just curios about it, and it looks better. I think with me changing it out every week and it being a screened cage that the fungi and mold wont have a chance to build up even with all that moisture.

 

[junglefries]

bare

Nothing at all at bottom. paper towels or newspaper if you insist on something.