using subtrate

[john118]

i have always used sand as a subtrate and the pet shop is advising against this as it is bad for them but i have a friend who has chameleon and uses bark and says the crickets just bury themselves in it and the chameleon dont eat like they should any suggesions please

 

[ColorChanginClick]

substrate of any kind is not recommended as it may be ingested by your cham (I'm guessing you have either veiled or panther), preferably have a bare floor or paper towels or newspaper works

 

[ChromaChameleons]

yup..substrates can cause problems. Bark or wood chips can cause impaction . Sand can get in their eyes and create eye irritation or infections.

 

[Lizardlover]

In my opinion cage carpet works the best, it provides some color to the bottom of the cage so it isnt bare, and when it gets too dirty you can take it out and hose it clean.

 

[chequepoint]

Actually carpet provides tremendous surface area for bacteria to breed. The plastic bottom of the cage works best.

Chameleons don't care if the bottom of their enclosure looks like grass or not, they primarily want to be as far away from it as possible.

 

[Lizardlover]

you dont know what im talking about, its not the grass kind, its just flat fabric. i use it in all my cages

 

[chequepoint]

Anything that provides increased surface area, provides more bacteria. It is there for your enjoyment, not the benefit of the animal. A piece of plain cotton fabric on the bottom of the cage would provide more than 100X the surface area for bacteria to breed vs. a piece of solid plastic or glass.

 

[Lizardlover]

whatever, i clean it weekly, and it hasnt posed a problem before.