Myth 35: “I need to buy everything, branches, fixtures, special tools to place branches in the cage”

Let's bust this myth once and for all. The idea that you must purchase every component for your chameleon's enclosure — from branches to mounting tools — has spiraled into an unnecessary frenzy, especially in some U.S.-based groups.

Nature is free and abundant.

Instead of spending money on bamboo sticks, plastic vines, or elaborate fixtures, just step outside. Parks, forests, and even your backyard can offer perfectly suitable dead branches. Find one that fits your cage, trim it if needed, and place it inside. That's it. No need for screws, wires, or synthetic supports.

Buying everything is costly — and often pointless.

After 40 years in the business across three continents, I've never once needed to "fix" branches to cage walls or rely on artificial props. This obsession doesn't improve your chameleon's life — it just drains your wallet.

Store-bought materials can be unnatural or even dangerous.

• Bamboo can splinter and injure your chameleon.

• Treated or disinfected wood may release toxic fumes.

• Plastics can emit microplastics and harmful chemicals when heated.

Use your brain — and your environment.

It's baffling how many keepers behave as if they live in barren deserts with no access to natural materials. Statistically, that's simply not true. Most of us live in areas with plenty of vegetation. Use it.

Don't fall for the commercial trap.

Yes, companies and individuals profit from this "buy-everything" mindset. So, if it your choice, let them foul you that you need to buy from them absolutely unnecessary things. Equip your cage with fake nonsense, waterfalls, plastic feeders, fake vines and plants ... Spend your hard earned savings, and, harm or threat or kill your chameleons doing so.

If you want to pay for commercialised free items, OK.

• Pay for leaves put in plastic bag.

• Pay for packed pebbles.

• Pay for sand.

• Pay for a handful of earth or dirt.Pay for driftwood.

• Pay for fake vines.

• Pay for unnecessary fixtures.

• Buy screws, fishing lines, zipties, ledges, tools...

• Spend money and time shopping.

• Create lots of rubbish.

• Waste the unused remnants, as they will not be used and will lay for long in our living space.

• Waste resources.

• Pollute planet.

On the other side: if you like it, go for it! Some of the ledges or fixtures are indeed an interesting piece of craftsmanship and creativity. If you like the eshteticcs nof driftwood - no problem, chameleons will like them if they will not be too thick. Things which do not harm, have their place in commerce and in the cages.

But your chameleon doesn't need a designer fake jungle gym.

It needs safe, natural, functional climbing options — and those are often just a walk away.