Having recently acquired 2.2 Chamaeleo africanus, I have decided I am going to keep a public blog regarding the species to possibly help and educate people who may decide to keep the species.
I will be weighing both the males and the females weekly throughout the duration of the acclimation process and the females weekly throughout the rest of their lives (to determine possibility of being gravid). I will also be keeping a detailed record of any breeding activities and incubation.
Here we go!
Chameleons received on 11/15/11
Female1/. Weighs in at 147.5 grams on day 1 (strong possibility of being gravid)
Female2/. Weighs in at 113.9 grams on day one
Male1/. Weighs in at 88.7 grams on day one
Male2/. Weighs in at 87.8 grams on day one
All have clean looking urates, vet check will confirm.
All have been placed in a warm shower and all are sitting nicely under basking lamps.
A few things I have noticed off the bat with this species is...
1. The males are much, much smaller and slimmer than the females of the species and so far seem to be more tolerable during handling.
2. Regardless of the males tolerability to handling, I can tell they are going to be timid chameleons. This may be attributed to the fact that they are WC and CH or CB offspring may react differently.
I am contemplating using metal halides as a more natural source of lighting, to achieve the "sun" effect. (any objections?).
I also have on hand, Potassium Iodide and am contemplating using it in their water supply a few times a month.
That's it for now, I will post pictures should they be requested at the moment I am on my iPad and would have to switch to a computer to post pics.
Also, and advice or tips are greatly welcomed.
11/16/11
Something I have noticed is that my males are tending to stay are dark brown to almost black coloration, while my females are both bright green with vivid yellows and blues.
Female 1 has never turned brown, even while basking, female 2 goes black when basking and then resumes to normal coloration when done.
I am 100% positive Female 1 is Gravid, as you can clearly see eggs in her belly when at rest, when she is awake, she is very thin. Where does she hide it? Wish I could do the same...
I will be weighing both the males and the females weekly throughout the duration of the acclimation process and the females weekly throughout the rest of their lives (to determine possibility of being gravid). I will also be keeping a detailed record of any breeding activities and incubation.
Here we go!
Chameleons received on 11/15/11
Female1/. Weighs in at 147.5 grams on day 1 (strong possibility of being gravid)
Female2/. Weighs in at 113.9 grams on day one
Male1/. Weighs in at 88.7 grams on day one
Male2/. Weighs in at 87.8 grams on day one
All have clean looking urates, vet check will confirm.
All have been placed in a warm shower and all are sitting nicely under basking lamps.
A few things I have noticed off the bat with this species is...
1. The males are much, much smaller and slimmer than the females of the species and so far seem to be more tolerable during handling.
2. Regardless of the males tolerability to handling, I can tell they are going to be timid chameleons. This may be attributed to the fact that they are WC and CH or CB offspring may react differently.
I am contemplating using metal halides as a more natural source of lighting, to achieve the "sun" effect. (any objections?).
I also have on hand, Potassium Iodide and am contemplating using it in their water supply a few times a month.
That's it for now, I will post pictures should they be requested at the moment I am on my iPad and would have to switch to a computer to post pics.
Also, and advice or tips are greatly welcomed.
11/16/11
Something I have noticed is that my males are tending to stay are dark brown to almost black coloration, while my females are both bright green with vivid yellows and blues.
Female 1 has never turned brown, even while basking, female 2 goes black when basking and then resumes to normal coloration when done.
I am 100% positive Female 1 is Gravid, as you can clearly see eggs in her belly when at rest, when she is awake, she is very thin. Where does she hide it? Wish I could do the same...
