Chameleon and Reptile Plantsreptile plants, non toxic reptile plants
|Non Toxic Reptile Plant List|
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|The choice of plants to put into a chameleons cage must be done wisely. Not just any plant will work. Several imortant factors must be considered. First does the species of chameleon you own or plan to own eat any vegetation. For example sometimes Panther chameleons will eat some flowers or some leaves, even though most literature on panther chameleons tends not to mention that some will eat vegetation. Also Veiled chameleons will eat just about any plant you put in front of them. Aside from the species that eat vegetation I have seen on several occasions accidental ingestion of plant matter. While watching one of my Jackson's eat I saw the lizard shoot at a silkworm grab it but the silkworm did not let go of the leaf and the leaf the silkworm was on came with the silkworm into the lizards mouth and he chomped down on it. So only non toxic plants should be used with chameleons. Also the plants should provide a good drip water area. Most chameleons like to lick water off of leaves so the plants you choose should reflect this. Another important consideration is can the chameleon move about the plant. Will the plant hold up the lizards weight or will it fall over or break. The plant you choose should be sturdy. Also can the plant handle whatever temperature the cage is at and can it handle lots of watering from drippers if that is what you use. Captive chameleons require live plants for their enclosures. Plants provide areas to climb, clean the air, provide hiding places, and are used to drink water from the leaves. Additionally the plants help reduce stress on the chameleon by providing it with a closer to realistic environment. Also overall it makes the cage much more pleasing to the eye.|
|Here are a few that I like to use. Dwarf Bannana Tree, Thornless citrus trees, hibiscus, ginger, pothos, and brocolli in my veileds cages. Plants will grow too large for the cage sometimes, but all you have to do is selectivly trim them to fit the cage. You can get into Bonsaii with your plants if you want to. Despite what most people think Bonsaii is not just for trees it can be done with any plant.
For using ginger I normally go to the grocery store and buy fresh ginger root then plant 2 to 3 inches deep in one of the plants already in the cage. In about a two weeks the plant should start to grow. POTHOS-pothos although technically non toxic they do contain noticable levels of oxalate crystals. These crystals cause pain when eaten and it is debatable if they should be used with omnivourous species. Many breeders use pothos with no problem, I use it and have no problem. HIBISCUS- I advise using large hibiscus plants, they are nutritous if eaten and are a great plant overall.
Make sure the plant is pesticide free. Ask the nursery if they use pesticides. Do not take chances even miniscule pesticide ingestion will result in death. Wash the new plants in the shower with a soapy washrag thoroughly. I advise washing because it gets off pesticide and also small insects and their eggs.
|I quick note on using ficus trees. Ficus trees are non toxic and readily available. The only problem is that the leaves and stems of the plant have a large amount of milky sap in them. I once had a chameleon that got some sap in his eye from a ficus tree and it resulted in eye problems and helped lead to an infection, so I have sworn off from ever using ficus again. Also the sap and the leaves irratate my skin and give some people a rash.|
Bird's Nest Fern
Coleus-this plant is midly toxic, it is ok for most chameleons but if you have one that likes to eat plants like a Veiled do not use this plant.
Corn flower-also known as bachelors buttons
Hen and CHicks Succulent
Hibiscus-my favorite choice
Mother of Pearl
Pink Polka Dot Plant
|Simply put if a plant is not on this list or one of the plants previously discussed then assume it is toxic until you can prove otherwise. For example even the common tomato is toxic. The fruit are not toxic but the plants leaves and stem are toxic. So in choosing plants be thorough it might just save your chameleons life.|