Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I had a vield chameleon but had to get rid of him a couple months ago. Anyways, I was told by a butt-load of people not to use a ficus tree/plant in my cage because WHEN LIMBS BREAK, A WHITE SYRUP COMES OUT THAT IS VERY HARMFUL AND POISIONOUS AND CAN
GET INTO THEIR EYES AND MAKE THEM GO BLIND. Well i started thinking, crested's have larger eyes and no eye-lids so wouldent it be VERY BAD to use this in there cage.

Thanks, George

Ficus species do leak out a sap that is poisonous if ingested, but it is highly unlikely that branches would break in an enclosure, and that a crested would get the sap in its eyes. The Rhacodactylus book recommends Ficus benjamina and I use Ficus species with no problems. If you are concerned, you can stop the flow of sap by dipping the broken end in cold water.