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are phelodendrons bad?

>>are phelodendrons bad?

Philodendrons are included on a large number of toxic plant lists due to their high calcium oxalate content. It can potentially cause severe mouth, throat, mucous membrane irritation and swelling.

T.B

hmmmm. had not seen it on a list and I have been working with plants for 2 decades. So I decided to recheck two of what I consider authorities: Cornell does not have it listed and UC Davis does have it listed!? Anyway, better safe than sorry and I was thinking of just "decorating" the enclosure forgetting that some chams eat plants. So your advice should be heeded

lele

>>Philodendrons are included on a large number of toxic plant lists due to their high calcium oxalate content. It can potentially cause severe mouth, throat, mucous membrane irritation and swelling.
>>
>>T.B

sometimes plant toxic to mammels are not toxic to reptiles and vis-versa.

any way what type of hibicus is small than 30 inches?

are they trees,bushes or vines. i never really looked at them before.

It is more like a physical injury. The calcium oxalate crystals are needle shaped and penetrate the mucous membranes at a micropscopic level. Eye irritation is a serious potential effect with chams.

T.B

T.B. is correct... the philodendrom is on the toxic list - and some pothos plants can be dangerous too (see following link)

http://www.aspca.org/toxicplants/M01927.htm

Morgana - Reptayls, Ltd.

The crystals may cause problems, but I've never seen it. And I had some pothos that were eaten-totally eaten. Those pregnant veilds get veggie cravings...
Golden pothos is on their list.
All the sheffeleras are on their list.
just about all plants are on their list.
Did anyone notice the list was compiled by the ASPCA??
That should give you reason enough to ignore it!
Well, just about everyone has used pothos(and philidendron), sheffelera, ficus, etc, and not had a problem. In fact, I had used sheffelera actinophylla(sp) for YEARS, and never had a problem, and I know that is toxice now.I mean, I'm pretty sure there are some toxic plants in the trees they live in in the wild. Most species of plants have toxic chemicals in them, for defence.With veilds, you have to consider their plants more, cause it's going to at least get nibbled on. I have not encountered any of that with my other chameleons, although SOME may eat leaves occationally.
Eric A

Eric...

I agree - it seems a bit overboard on the ASPCA's lists with all those plants.

BUT... chemically, they are toxic (and that is what is being discussed here). To what degree they are toxic and just how deadly for our animals may never be discovered - as I don't know anyone that wants to purposely feed these plants to their chameleon to find out.

I use golden pothos; marble queen; scheffies too - but when the cham starts chewing on the leaves - I switch to hibiscus plants and ferns and give the chams some "greens" in their enclosures. Just hang up some lettuce on the cage side - red leaf or kale is good too. Grate some carrot in the feeding bowl (if you use one). Hand feed strawberry slices...

Most of the plant saps (from chewed leaves and branches) can be irritating to eyes - and somewhat irritating to the mouth. Most chams are not habitual plant eaters - but there are a few out there - for those, caution should be used in their plant selection. ...just my 2 cents

Morgana - Reptayls, Ltd.