Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey friends: well, my boy(still haven't thought of a name)looks good today. Ate more then yesterday and seems more relaxed(except when he sees my husband then he goes all rainbowy). Q is he looks confused or frustrated inside the cage at times when he's trying to get around. Like the Umbrella Plant doesn't offer enough support with its whimpy branches. I have a couple of Manzanita branches inside the cage but they don't seem to offer enough horizontal perches or enough support either. He looks around like "where's a guy to kick up his feet?" Plus he tries to climb the screen and is very unsure looking like he can't get a good grip. Do you have some suggestions on what could make him really feel like he's got some nice furnishings and become king of his jungle?

Thanks-Maggie

Theres several thigns you can use for yur guy, i would suggest one of those large bend a vines, that way you can run it to different elevations and he an find the most comfy spot. I my self am getting a bird perch to add to my new guys cage.they make the in the lenth of most cages and look pretty easy to install.In my females cage i have about 30 feet and the small bend vines(the ones that come in a loop, theres actually 2), running soem of those vertical and horizontal. you can also use something as simple as nylon rope,I have made a rope ladder one day when i was bored, and i haveit strung along the backside of the cage.I have seen people post pics on the forumn that have like a plastic webbing along the sides of the cage.which looks like it works good for keeping them off the screen part.'ill post apic of my girls cage to give you an idea, keep in mind i went a lil overboard

Maggie,
Manzanita branches can be a little thin, and like you said, not a comfortable place to kick up the feet... I like to use the sandblasted grapevines for that reason, they're heavy and sturdy, and the diameters of them are available in all sizes. The Southern California IRBA shows are usually where I pick mine up since they're by far the cheapest there and you can pick from a big selection. I would never order one of them, but you can from LLLreptile.com if you want to. I would assume they would send you something that wouldn't quite work. Try to plan out what shape and size you need or get 2-3 and screw them together in there to keep them all from shifting. Umbrella plants can be flimsy.... I have some of my cages filled with Hibiscus, even though I started with about 8 plants and now I'm down to 2-3. They're tricky to keep alive indoors, but they're very sturdy and handle a heavy chameleon well. Ficus also work well, simply because they're relatively thick and the chameleon can plow through the leaves and smaller branches and just sit on top of it all. Either way, try to keep a few horizontal perches at a few different levels in the cage, for different places to "kick the feet up" at different temperature ranges. I don't perticularly like those rubber wire vines (whatever they're called).... No real reason, I just personally think they're kinda tacky and not natural looking. What also works very well are large tree roots and driftwood, and I use both of these in some of my cages. They usually have a textured surface to them and make good gripping points for toes. Just make sure you clean and dry them good before using them. Good luck!

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Tyler Stewart
Las Vegas NV
www.BLUEBEASTREPTILE.com