Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Alright, this is just an idea of mine, and I haven't actualy started trying anything. The idea that I had was that I have an enclosure set up with a hibiscus, some pathos, and a couple other plants (forgot their names) and the chameleon has started nibling the branches off of the other plants (the ones that I can't remember the name of, although I'm 100% sure they're safe for him to be nibling) So the leaves have been dying and falling off... the idea that I had was that rather than cleaning them out, would it work if I were to just leave the leaves in there to decompose, fertilizing the ground, helping the plants grow even further. Could I do the same thing with the lizard's feces? And lastly, would it be possible to get a couple worms in there as well, just to assist in the decomposition, thus creating an ecosystem in which all I'll have to do is provide the lighting, food for the chameleon, and water, as well as changing the substrates every once in awhile, just to stop mould, etc from forming. Just wanted to get some opinions before actualy trying anything, so let me know what you think.

hmmmm....good idea in theory, but the reality will probably be a moldy mess. If you had a greenhouse, or some other very large enclosure, it MIGHT work but you would need a lot more than a few earthworms. The "duties" of detrivores (detritus/waste decomposers) vary and there are literally thousands in a single spoonful of soil. I think one of the biggest problems would be too much moisture (from dripper, misting, etc.) that would never allow enough to dry out/evaporate. The leaves would pack together and trap moisture which would invite fungus, bacteria and certainly those annoying little fungus gnats! Btw, as much as we hate them, their larva feed on soil and are detrivores in their own right so you would actually have to allow them to stay! LOL!

I think someone here had tried this using pillbugs, worms, etc. but do not recall the particulars - it might have been Eric Adrignola.

If it is something you really want to try I would suggest setting up a trial enclosure (with no chameleon or other animal in it) and test it first. You would need to allow it it "work" for many, many months to see how viable and functional it is. Btw, I would NOT opt to allow feces to remain, regardless.

Hope this helps!

lele

>>Alright, this is just an idea of mine, and I haven't actualy started trying anything. The idea that I had was that I have an enclosure set up with a hibiscus, some pathos, and a couple other plants (forgot their names) and the chameleon has started nibling the branches off of the other plants (the ones that I can't remember the name of, although I'm 100% sure they're safe for him to be nibling) So the leaves have been dying and falling off... the idea that I had was that rather than cleaning them out, would it work if I were to just leave the leaves in there to decompose, fertilizing the ground, helping the plants grow even further. Could I do the same thing with the lizard's feces? And lastly, would it be possible to get a couple worms in there as well, just to assist in the decomposition, thus creating an ecosystem in which all I'll have to do is provide the lighting, food for the chameleon, and water, as well as changing the substrates every once in awhile, just to stop mould, etc from forming. Just wanted to get some opinions before actualy trying anything, so let me know what you think.
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0.1 Veiled - Luna
1.0 Beardie - (soon! For now his name is Kinky Boy )
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0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
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0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha

Chameleon Help & Resource Info

hello, over the weekend i was at the new jersey science center with my kids and the had a green house section and they had reptiles. snake,geckos frogs,beardies ect. i did notice a nice size jackson in the corner and he looked very healthy and robust and displayed some nice colors. any way his enclosure was large with a glass face and the bottom was stone soil and bark with live plants growing out ofthe soil. i was wondering myself about bacteria fungus ect. and one of the workers or biology students said he had been there 4 years. i didn't think to ask anymore questions so your idea would work careful planning and vigilance is always best. i was amazed with this jacksons calmness with all the kids going up to the glass and the people around he displyed his calm colors and acting like noone else was around. good luck matt