Mellers chameleon

Zajlol

New Member
I'm thinking of buying a mellers chameleon. Does anyone know what the best place to buy one from? Thanks!
 
Good luck pal. I've been searching for one for a long time now.. I wouldnt suggest a WC, but if thats all you can get, then prepare yourself for a lot of work.
 
Pretty much wild caught is the only one you're going to find easily, I'm afraid we won't be breeding for a while yet. And yes, pretty much the only way to know male/female is to be flashed, or see eggs, or to see the mating behavior towards a known male/female...

When you get your meller's, make sure you re-hydrate them well and give them space and hand feed them as you can, their size can make them dangerous to be on the wrong size of... their claws leave scratches if they get scared.

As a side note... Meller's memorize their owner's face, changing glasses, hair style, or anything that changes your face shape can cause them to not recognize you and treat you as a stranger... and make them a very very unhappy cham... so if you're looking to get new glasses soon, or change a hair style drastically (like chop off 6 inches to short)... do it before you get them!
 
Melleri

Melleri will be imported again since the ban has been lifted.

WC is the easiest to find... not 'your best bet' when it comes to healthy good animals.

The sexing is not possible unless (as others have said) you see the boys junk or a female lays eggs... the coloring can sometimes give it away in mating season... but depending on where you live the 'seasons' can be off in some ways. my melleri seem to be out of sink with the rest of the world when it comes to seasons, must be how i maintain temps and lighting. My beardie seemed to figure it out...:confused:

I'll post some pics of my female Lenny. all of the pics except the last are from within the first year or so of having her. She has been with me since..... early summer 2006?

Here is Lenny, my known female the day we got her at LLL:

IMG_0017.jpg


she slowly got rid of the bad skin through shedding and lots of mising....

here she is with Chris, my GF took this photo, lenny looks like she is posing LOL

IMG00168.jpg


I think I took this photo the day before she was going to lay....

IMG_0656.jpg


then I put her in the Brute just on a whim and....

photo.jpg


This is from just a month or so ago... If you have an IKEA desk lamp such as the one in the photo, you can get an idea of how long she is.... and that isn't even all of her in the photo. Still a couple of inches left on her tail.

IMG_1357.jpg


Now I'd like to point out to any of you who are interested in melleri. They are not animals to be kept in a 2x2x4 foot cage. The need at least 3-4 feet of horizontal space and at least three feet of vertical space. Idealy you buy two 2x2x4 foot cages and join them together. melleri love horizontal perches. they don't want vertical as much. They like to lay out on a long branch on roost.

Here is a night shot of Henry roosting. He is a monster.... sorry for the poor phone photo and half dead ficus lol I have since trimmed the dead parts off. I put them into his cage to try and revive them with all the misting he gets.

IMG_1276.jpg


Not only do they need lots of space they need an automatic misting/rain system. You can not have a melleri that does not get at least a 10-20 minute soak. They drink lots of water... You would have to mist at least 10 minutes three times a day. And this is why you can't just keep a melleri on a 'free range' tree setup in the corner of your bedroom. They will need to have a free range that has water drainage and proper lighting.

Sam having a drink...

KevinZamp01_24_20101041RSRC.jpg


here is my large free range that houses three melleri. It is L shaped..... with one portion being 3'x6' with a 2'x5' spur.

IMG_1535.jpg


Here is how I hook the basking spot up:

light2.jpg


Here is the drainage. It is automatic. It drains to a similar reservoir under the cages in the other room. That reservoir has a larger, higher flow pump that pumps into the sink drain pipes in the kitchen. I hooked up a washing machine pipe insert that keep everything sanitary.

IMG_1531.jpg


And the reason for the serious drainage... is my AquaZamp misting system:

IMG_1554.jpg


_MG_7005.jpg


Melleri really like to bask. BUT you can't get them too hot. Melleri will sit and soak up heat in a basking spot for hours, but it needs to be just right or they will burn. In keeping melleri I have learned that the best way to light them is from the side and pointing down.

In the photo below you can see the baskign light for Henry's free range is hanging at a distance and quite a bit at the side. This is great for him. He doesn't have to turn his body to the side to get heat and most importantly, he can't burn his dorsal crest. Chameleons get burns along their dorsal crest most often from heat lamps that point straight down on them. You can also see the basking lamps above my cages are also at an angle, not just sitting on the top of the cage. The basking spots are also to the side of the light so that the cham can not sit directly under the light either.

IMG_1510.jpg


The most important thing to remember about melleri in a free range... or any chameleon for that matter. If you are 'doing it right' your animal is not leaving the space you have made for them. The ONLY time Henry ever leaves his free range is when I leave the cricket bin out and open and walk away. yeah... the cricket bin needs a cleaning.... but notice how clean the water dish is, that is the important part.

IMG_1317.jpg
 
Melleri will be imported again since the ban has been lifted.

WC is the easiest to find... not 'your best bet' when it comes to healthy good animals.

The sexing is not possible unless (as others have said) you see the boys junk or a female lays eggs... the coloring can sometimes give it away in mating season... but depending on where you live the 'seasons' can be off in some ways. my melleri seem to be out of sink with the rest of the world when it comes to seasons, must be how i maintain temps and lighting. My beardie seemed to figure it out...:confused:

I'll post some pics of my female Lenny. all of the pics except the last are from within the first year or so of having her. She has been with me since..... early summer 2006?

Here is Lenny, my known female the day we got her at LLL:

IMG_0017.jpg


she slowly got rid of the bad skin through shedding and lots of mising....

here she is with Chris, my GF took this photo, lenny looks like she is posing LOL

IMG00168.jpg


I think I took this photo the day before she was going to lay....

IMG_0656.jpg


then I put her in the Brute just on a whim and....

photo.jpg


This is from just a month or so ago... If you have an IKEA desk lamp such as the one in the photo, you can get an idea of how long she is.... and that isn't even all of her in the photo. Still a couple of inches left on her tail.

IMG_1357.jpg


Now I'd like to point out to any of you who are interested in melleri. They are not animals to be kept in a 2x2x4 foot cage. The need at least 3-4 feet of horizontal space and at least three feet of vertical space. Idealy you buy two 2x2x4 foot cages and join them together. melleri love horizontal perches. they don't want vertical as much. They like to lay out on a long branch on roost.

Here is a night shot of Henry roosting. He is a monster.... sorry for the poor phone photo and half dead ficus lol I have since trimmed the dead parts off. I put them into his cage to try and revive them with all the misting he gets.

IMG_1276.jpg


Not only do they need lots of space they need an automatic misting/rain system. You can not have a melleri that does not get at least a 10-20 minute soak. They drink lots of water... You would have to mist at least 10 minutes three times a day. And this is why you can't just keep a melleri on a 'free range' tree setup in the corner of your bedroom. They will need to have a free range that has water drainage and proper lighting.

Sam having a drink...

KevinZamp01_24_20101041RSRC.jpg


here is my large free range that houses three melleri. It is L shaped..... with one portion being 3'x6' with a 2'x5' spur.

IMG_1535.jpg


Here is how I hook the basking spot up:

light2.jpg


Here is the drainage. It is automatic. It drains to a similar reservoir under the cages in the other room. That reservoir has a larger, higher flow pump that pumps into the sink drain pipes in the kitchen. I hooked up a washing machine pipe insert that keep everything sanitary.

IMG_1531.jpg


And the reason for the serious drainage... is my AquaZamp misting system:

IMG_1554.jpg


_MG_7005.jpg


Melleri really like to bask. BUT you can't get them too hot. Melleri will sit and soak up heat in a basking spot for hours, but it needs to be just right or they will burn. In keeping melleri I have learned that the best way to light them is from the side and pointing down.

In the photo below you can see the baskign light for Henry's free range is hanging at a distance and quite a bit at the side. This is great for him. He doesn't have to turn his body to the side to get heat and most importantly, he can't burn his dorsal crest. Chameleons get burns along their dorsal crest most often from heat lamps that point straight down on them. You can also see the basking lamps above my cages are also at an angle, not just sitting on the top of the cage. The basking spots are also to the side of the light so that the cham can not sit directly under the light either.

IMG_1510.jpg


The most important thing to remember about melleri in a free range... or any chameleon for that matter. If you are 'doing it right' your animal is not leaving the space you have made for them. The ONLY time Henry ever leaves his free range is when I leave the cricket bin out and open and walk away. yeah... the cricket bin needs a cleaning.... but notice how clean the water dish is, that is the important part.

IMG_1317.jpg


One thing missed is the whole surgical sexing... it is mentioned here and there but regardless if it works or not, should be avoided. If you have a male, at one point or another you should get a big eyeful of hemepene. They are wonderful animals to work with, and I can say that the WC from LLL are fine if you can get over the acclimation of the animal... and knowing a vet who has experience with reptiles. With that said, you never know what you are going to get... if you are going to get WC, be prepared with a vet. If you are getting CB? Ask people around about how they are, look on Fauna, research your breeder. I know I am looking for a proven female so I can get my proven male someone to look at during those hot nights out.

Regardless of it being CB or WC, both require attention. They also are amazing chameleons to own REGARDLESS of WC or CB. If you get one that is a tad under the weather? Fix it. As long as you personally believe you can handle it, it can be done. Don't be afraid to try a Meller's and don't let WC scare you away either.
 
One thing missed is the whole surgical sexing... it is mentioned here and there but regardless if it works or not, should be avoided. If you have a male, at one point or another you should get a big eyeful of hemepene. They are wonderful animals to work with, and I can say that the WC from LLL are fine if you can get over the acclimation of the animal... and knowing a vet who has experience with reptiles. With that said, you never know what you are going to get... if you are going to get WC, be prepared with a vet. If you are getting CB? Ask people around about how they are, look on Fauna, research your breeder. I know I am looking for a proven female so I can get my proven male someone to look at during those hot nights out.

Regardless of it being CB or WC, both require attention. They also are amazing chameleons to own REGARDLESS of WC or CB. If you get one that is a tad under the weather? Fix it. As long as you personally believe you can handle it, it can be done. Don't be afraid to try a Meller's and don't let WC scare you away either.

My mind has been made up LOL I'm just waiting on some CB to come around.
 
So a terrarium that's 5x2x6.5 feet with a lot of planting is large enough for a couple?
(sorry, if there are any spelling mistakes, i'm from Belgium)

Greets Bramo
 
That picture where Lenny is posing is awesome. I live right by LLL Reptile in Menifee. They have a real nice looking yellow mellers. I've been wanting to buy it...But considering I got my first cham not too long ago, I didn't think I was ready for it. Plus I don't have the room for it at the moment....one day. :)
 
One thing missed is the whole surgical sexing... it is mentioned here and there but regardless if it works or not, should be avoided. If you have a male, at one point or another you should get a big eyeful of hemepene. They are wonderful animals to work with, and I can say that the WC from LLL are fine if you can get over the acclimation of the animal... and knowing a vet who has experience with reptiles. With that said, you never know what you are going to get... if you are going to get WC, be prepared with a vet. If you are getting CB? Ask people around about how they are, look on Fauna, research your breeder. I know I am looking for a proven female so I can get my proven male someone to look at during those hot nights out.

Regardless of it being CB or WC, both require attention. They also are amazing chameleons to own REGARDLESS of WC or CB. If you get one that is a tad under the weather? Fix it. As long as you personally believe you can handle it, it can be done. Don't be afraid to try a Meller's and don't let WC scare you away either.

These are very good point that I missed. And I'd like to reiterate that you should not be having them sexed by anyone. You will damage the chameleon and maybe kill them.

Here are a couple of pics to show what sort of 'eyeful' you'll get...

IMG_1359.jpg


IMG_1360.jpg


This is Henry's..... they aren't fully extended so they just look like a blob. The best time to see them is when they are pooping.

IMG_9565.jpg


My mind has been made up LOL I'm just waiting on some CB to come around.

You might be waiting a while. Lately it seems people have been having luck with CB, but it's only maybe two or three in the last couple of years. Do not expect a deal either as they are rare and in much higher demand than a WC. There are always waiting lists as well.

So a terrarium that's 5x2x6.5 feet with a lot of planting is large enough for a couple?
(sorry, if there are any spelling mistakes, i'm from Belgium)

Greets Bramo

If it is 6.5' wide.... you could have two together. You'll need to provide a basking spot for each melleri as they will fight over basking space.

That picture where Lenny is posing is awesome. I live right by LLL Reptile in Menifee. They have a real nice looking yellow mellers. I've been wanting to buy it...But considering I got my first cham not too long ago, I didn't think I was ready for it. Plus I don't have the room for it at the moment....one day. :)

thanks!

About the melleri being yellow.... yellow is not a good color. it is a high stress, unhealthy color. Melleri should be green and yellow alternating yellow bars. The photo of Lenny on the lamp is a very calm coloring, minus the slight spotting. mild black spots like you see on Lenny are her 'hmm something is off a bit' display. She is unsure of her surroundings a bit.

Be sure to get some room before you jump into it.
 
If it is 6.5' wide.... you could have two together. You'll need to provide a basking spot for each melleri as they will fight over basking space.
No, it's 5' wide, 6.5' high and 2' deep.

This is the place that i have so i'm just wondering.
But if it is to small for a couple, then it's to bad..

Greets
 
So if i make it 4' feet high, then it's wider than taller. :p
But that's propably not what you mean :D

But are they oke with being housed alone?

Thx for the quick replies, Bramo
 
Kevin:
I've really never noticed it before even having seen it in person but the vines on the left hand side of your free range look like a killer roller coaster. Now about the cricket water crystals being that clean, you had to have just changed those within the last 15-20 minutes, crickets are pigs.
 
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