Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was wondering, whats the best substrate for veileds. Also a more important question is I currently live in central florida and i would like to keep a tank outside, the average heat is 90deg F, and the humidity is about 72%, if i do keep them outside are there any special things i would have to do?other than bring them in for cold days. thanks.

We use no substrate for chameleons (other than some leaf species). The substrate can be ingested and cause intestinal blockage - leading to death.

Tank??? I sure hope you don't mean a glass tank! Glass heats up like an oven... so chameleons should be housed in screened enclosures - even more so if kept outdoors!

Hope this helps,
Morgana - Reptayls, Ltd.

Tank meaning a screened cage. Thank you. would potting soil for the pothos im putting in there be ok?

Sure... pothos planted in a pot, of course you have to use soil. )

But here is a tip... some chams are attracted to the white pieces - perlite/vermiculite - found in many potting soild mixes. These - if ingested - are dangerous, as they do not dissolve.

To prevent this from happening, you can do one or more of the following:

1) Put river-washed stones around the base of the plant to cover the soil (you can even use those glass stones)
2) Take out the top 2" of the mixed soil and add "Super Soil" to the pot. This brand of soil has no perlite or vermiculite.
3) If it is a single trunk plant, use a paper plate (with slit and cut out for trunk) to cover the soil. If you have extra cotton fabric you can cut a piece and use that for covering the soil - just tie it down to the pot.
4) For multi-stemed plants - add a 1/2" or so of coconut fiber on top of the soil. Water it down into the leaves and stems. This fine substrate is reported not to be harmful, if ingested.

Hope this gives you some ideas...
Morgana - Reptayls, Ltd.