en

How To Treat Natural Branches Before Putting Them Into The Cage?

03/02/2020

As a part of naturalistic chameleon husbandry approach, natural branches are the only one interior of the cage recommended, suitable for climbing (next to living plants), in no way any artificial materials are to be used, no ropes, no fabrics, no plastics, no fake vines, no exposed wood, no bamboo, no ladders, swings etc.

To fulfill their natural function and be suitable for chameleons to climb on them, is essential to keep the branches as natural as possible, therfore:

NO THERMAL TREATMENT
No cooking
No hot water
No microwave
No oven
No flame

NO CHEMICAL TREATMENT
No bleach
No chemicals
No pesticides

NO MECHANICAL TREATMENT
No peeling
No brushing
No sandpaper

There is NO reason for these procedures, plus, they can be either redundant or even

With thermal treatment, you destroy the structure of the wood and bark and kill the antibacterial properties of the wood.
USELESS

With chemical treatment
introduce the bleach and chemicals to the cage environment because you never ever get it evaporate fully. HARMFUL

With mechanical treatment you destroy the bark and remove or meaninglessly modify the natural surface of the branches, chameleons need to grasp and climb on.
UNCOMFORTABLE

WHY PEOPLE SUGGEST THE ABOVE?

AFRAID OF CHEMICAL POLLUTION
Pesticides
Lead
Exhalations
Pollutants

Solution: get the branches from safe sources

AFRAID OF CONTAMINATION
Sap
Gum
Poison
Dirt

Solution: avoid any conifers, poison ivy, euphorbiacae, Brazilian pepper-tree and any branches with contamination potential

AFRAID OF PESTS
Insect larvae
Insects
Ants
Termites
Scorpions
Spiders

Solution: inspect the branches on ants, termites and scorpions and avoid infested pieces. With all the rest be happy, if additional critters appear in the cage, they will be readily eaten.

SO, WHAT TO DO WITH THE RIGHT SELECTED BRANCHES?

Take it easy:
1. Choose young or recently dead, thin branches
2. Remove leaves and loose parts that would anyway fall off
3. Wash the natural branches with cold water and let them dry

Author: Petr Nečas
My projects:   ARCHAIUS   │   CHAMELEONS.INFO