draetish
Avid Member
So I was doing some reading on MD and came across this information about Social Stress and was wondering at what age and/or size can I introduce Arley to Bodie? Arley is 4 1/2 " stv and Bodie is 8" stv. Arley is 7 mos and Bodie is unknown. I don't plan on free ranging them together, Arley is still too little. Would Bodie try to eat Arley?
http://www.melleridiscovery.com/stress/stress.htm
Social Stress
As more information is collected about this species, we are learning that Meller's chameleons show social behavior, if allowed the opportunity. Several keepers, spanning decades of experience, have observed the evidence. This may be the reason that they are so delicate in captivity: they are usually housed singly and social animals need to at least see their harem mates, or they suffer stress. Those few who have Captive-Hatched melleri have separated them at hatching or shortly thereafter. This results in extremely high mortality. Melleri that are raised in groups are healthy and stress-free; they also have had the chance to learn how to be in a harem, complete with the complex social behaviors. They know how to behave when introduced to mates later in life. Many animals, when competition for food and space is removed, show social behaviors not seen in other circumstances. It happens at a brain chemical level, it is not just a fleeting affectation. This may be what occurs with melleri in times of plentiful food (either in the wild or captivity) and with plenty of perches and privacy. Melleri choose their own harem mates, just as humans choose their own social groups, so suddenly throwing two random chameleons in together will result in stress. This is what happens when melleri are collected in the wild. Those that survive the importation process often suffer inexplicable ailments or depression in captivity, which may be explained by this loss of their familiars. Young WC may have higher survival rates because they can bond with their keepers or established captive melleri, thus fulfilling their basic social need. This explains why melleri housed communally in large enclosures are the most successful in captivity: their food, space, and social needs are met. This is a complicated subject and will be addressed at length with all observed evidence in the Meller's Chameleon book (currently in progress).
http://www.melleridiscovery.com/stress/stress.htm
Social Stress
As more information is collected about this species, we are learning that Meller's chameleons show social behavior, if allowed the opportunity. Several keepers, spanning decades of experience, have observed the evidence. This may be the reason that they are so delicate in captivity: they are usually housed singly and social animals need to at least see their harem mates, or they suffer stress. Those few who have Captive-Hatched melleri have separated them at hatching or shortly thereafter. This results in extremely high mortality. Melleri that are raised in groups are healthy and stress-free; they also have had the chance to learn how to be in a harem, complete with the complex social behaviors. They know how to behave when introduced to mates later in life. Many animals, when competition for food and space is removed, show social behaviors not seen in other circumstances. It happens at a brain chemical level, it is not just a fleeting affectation. This may be what occurs with melleri in times of plentiful food (either in the wild or captivity) and with plenty of perches and privacy. Melleri choose their own harem mates, just as humans choose their own social groups, so suddenly throwing two random chameleons in together will result in stress. This is what happens when melleri are collected in the wild. Those that survive the importation process often suffer inexplicable ailments or depression in captivity, which may be explained by this loss of their familiars. Young WC may have higher survival rates because they can bond with their keepers or established captive melleri, thus fulfilling their basic social need. This explains why melleri housed communally in large enclosures are the most successful in captivity: their food, space, and social needs are met. This is a complicated subject and will be addressed at length with all observed evidence in the Meller's Chameleon book (currently in progress).
