Substrate?
- Thread starter JackP308
- Start date
coldbloodedAL
Avid Member
I've never seen it, but i hear about it EVERY time the word substrate is used. I have been using it with my cham for a few months now, watched him shoot crickets and roaches of of the substrate hundreds of times. And not once has he taken anything but the insect. I would say if a cham has an eye issue and is "missing" prey, then it could be an issue. Or maybe even a young cham learning to use their tongue, but they seem to learn quick.jmo..
jcarlo17
New Member
also
Its not just about the cham grabbing substrate by accident when they eat. substrate is a breeding ground for bacteria and what not. I think many users frown upon it because of that. I personally dont like the substrate seeing i have little holes at the bottom of my chams set up to let the excess water from the dripper and the numerous mistings i do throughout the day go into a tub under my cage for easy cleaning.
Its not just about the cham grabbing substrate by accident when they eat. substrate is a breeding ground for bacteria and what not. I think many users frown upon it because of that. I personally dont like the substrate seeing i have little holes at the bottom of my chams set up to let the excess water from the dripper and the numerous mistings i do throughout the day go into a tub under my cage for easy cleaning.
carol5208
Chameleon Enthusiast
I do know of one that died from that, well not impaction but I guess choking. It was not mine but one(a veild ) in a reptile store. The guy that sells the superworms at the counter in the back was telling me that one of the veilds shot at a cricket(they had mulch in the bottom of the tank) and it took in a large piece of mulch with the cricket. It did not die of impaction but it choked to death. They found it dead on the bottom of the tank and they found the mulch lodged sideways in its throat.
Last edited:
coldbloodedAL
Avid Member
I should probably add that mine is in a vivarium. It is only misted three times a day, and dries out between mistings. Bacteria growth can be caused by constant wetness of the soil. Now it could could be a real problem (bacteria wise) if you have a screen cage, and substrate, and no drainage. Being that the screen cages are usually misted often, and long. My viv is also loaded with tropical springtails which aide in removal of bacteria and mold.
Well mulch is not coco dirt or soil but it is substrate.Are you positive that is why the chameleon died? I know you aren't going to be able to prove that since it was in the past so don't worry about it unless you can provided proof other than a chameleon died in pet store eating cricket then later died .
The breeding for bacteria? What is a dirty chameleon cage with paper towels or even bare bottom? They are all breeding grounds for bacteria if not maintained.
My point is, I do use bare bottoms in most chameleon screen cages, but I have also used a lot of substrates mainly coco or soil in some bottom trays and terrarium. Yes I think its not for your typical chameleon owner since you have to make sure not to over water ect. I just want to see if anyone can prove the harm since it is such a forum standard and nobody even knows why.
You don't get impaction from bacteria by the way, and most comments are substrate leads to impaction. Yes bacteria does breed in any dirty cages and does need to be carefully maintained to keep healthy environment.
I don't want people all going out to get substrate Im just curious since I do use it how often it actually has happened. My guess is slim to none in a already healthy chameleon.
carol5208
Chameleon Enthusiast
first of all, I cannot prove anything, considering it was not my chameleon. I just know what the guy told me as we had a conversation about substrate and he told me the veild was perfectly healthy before and they found it at the bottom of the cage and its mouth was open and they saw the big piece of mulch way back in his throat(sideways). He assumed because they let the crickets loose and they roamed the bottom of the cage, that is what happend. I am guessing that is what caused his death. The reptile store is out of business now. What a surprise..... It is a matter of choice of how you want to set up your cage. I look at it as a better safe than sorry thing. JMO
