Substrate?

[Littlefoot2020]

I am new to chameleon keeping but not new to reptile keeping. I’m going to be adopting a baby Jackson’s Chameleon. I’m worried about my choice of substrate after doing some research. I got the repti bark but I was told it isn’t a good choice. What kind of substrate is good? I’ve ready newspaper, paper towels...just doesn’t seem like a natural substrate to them though.

 

[Deejay]

Hi, I use this: reptile liner on top of hydroballs.

 

[Ares05]

Don't use the carpet/liner stuff. It's just a bacteria breeding ground.

 

[Deejay]

If you don't clean it. Jackson chameleon don't defecate much and it's small and easy to clean daily. Then clean the entire terrarium monthly. There won't be a bacteria problem with that maintenance routine.

 

[Ares05]

Depends on what defines 'cleaning' for you. Even then, I wouldn't

 

[jamest0o0]

Just use some well draining soil without any pieces he could choke on. If you want to get more into it, look into bioactive(what all of us cool kids are doing these days). Soil is bioactive as well, but I'm referring to actually planting into the substrate, in which case you'll want a layer of clay balls, soil mix, leaf litter, etc. @cyberlocc wrote a great blog explaining it.

 

[Gingero]

If you don't clean it. Jackson chameleon don't defecate much and it's small and easy to clean daily. Then clean the entire terrarium monthly. There won't be a bacteria problem with that maintenance routine.

Any poop particles that are naked to the human eye that get left behind can result in bacteria developing. A baby chameleon will also poop much more frequently than an adult adding to increased risk. I'd recommend alternatives that are lower risk such as a bare bottom or bioactive, especially to a new keeper.

 

[Littlefoot2020]

Thank you all for the advice! I was watching some YouTube videos recently in the bioactive soil but it seems a bit advanced for me. I’ll look into it a bit more.