Ambilobe chameleon help

S

smutherbucket

New Member
Hi everyone. I have a chameleon that was purchased around December. He is around 7 months now. I have a few concerns. First his left eye doesn't move or open as much as the other one this has been going on for a few days now. Anyone with any experience with this or similar? Recommendations? Second his growth seems to have slowed quite a bit he isn't really getting bigger as of late and hasn't put on weight it looks like in a while, he hasn't many colors basically Dark Brown, Beige, Greenish, and he has a white stripe down his side. The place I got him from had pictures of the father he was a bright red. Was I sold something other than I was told? If more pictures are needed let me know.
Thanks in advance uploadfromtaptalk1436494421986.jpg uploadfromtaptalk1436494439809.jpg uploadfromtaptalk1436494465746.jpg uploadfromtaptalk1436494486784.jpg
 
Well sorry to tell you this but you have a female and not a male and that explains why so small. Where did you buy her from?? Usually the female panthers are pinkish or orangy looking by 7 months, but I have seen some that are greenish on occasion. At first I was thinking it was not even a panther because of the color. The tail base is very thin in the last picture so that tells me that it is a female. By that age if it were a male it would have a bulge in its tail by its vent area. As far as the eye goes, there is a possibility there is something in there. Try flushing the eye out with plain saline solution like the stuff we use for contacts. Eye closing can be caused also by injury or vitamin A deficiency or infection. I would get your chameleon to a vet as soon as you can and the eye looked at. As far as being an Ambilobe, there is no way to tell when it is a female unless the breeder knows for sure. If the breeder did not know they had a female instead of a male, I highly doubt they would know what locale it was.
 
carol5208 said:
Well sorry to tell you this but you have a female and not a male and that explains why so small. Where did you buy her from?? Usually the female panthers are pinkish or orangy looking by 7 months, but I have seen some that are greenish on occasion. At first I was thinking it was not even a panther because of the color. The tail base is very thin in the last picture so that tells me that it is a female. By that age if it were a male it would have a bulge in its tail by its vent area. As far as the eye goes, there is a possibility there is something in there. Try flushing the eye out with plain saline solution like the stuff we use for contacts. Eye closing can be caused also by injury or vitamin A deficiency or infection. I would get your chameleon to a vet as soon as you can and the eye looked at. As far as being an Ambilobe, there is no way to tell when it is a female unless the breeder knows for sure. If the breeder did not know they had a female instead of a male, I highly doubt they would know what locale it was.
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I bought her from a place in Houston called s&s exotics. Is caring for a female any different from caring for a male? I know she won't get the vibrant colors but we are fairly attached at this point, are the females the same price as males typically, because we spent 350 on her. Luckily I put some branches in the edge of the shower last night and it helped her eye, I'm going to continue this for the next few days.
 
If you look at some of the sponsor sites it does seen that males are priced higher then females. I would ask the pet owner you got her from how much a female is before you inquire about anything else and then bring up the fact he sold you a female. She may not have the color you were expecting but I am sure you will enjoy having her.
 
smutherbucket said:
I bought her from a place in Houston called s&s exotics. Is caring for a female any different from caring for a male? I know she won't get the vibrant colors but we are fairly attached at this point, are the females the same price as males typically, because we spent 350 on her. Luckily I put some branches in the edge of the shower last night and it helped her eye, I'm going to continue this for the next few days.
Click to expand...

Typically females are a little cheaper.. 350 is a high price regardless male or female.. That's about what the high end breeders such as the kammers charge and then you get a detailed history of the lineage that can be traced back generations and a male/female guarantee.. As for care it is not the same slightly lower temperatures and less food to try prevent infertile clutches. She is 7 months now then it is probably time to put a laying bin in her cage. Most female chameleons will lay eggs even without mating. If the proper lay bin isn't provided she can become egg bound and lead to serious complications even death. Check the resources portion of the site and you will find all you need to know
 
I am sorry you were sold the wrong gender. $350 would be a high price for a female unless it was a very sought after line in the chameleon breeding world. I would go back to the store and show them they sold you the wrong sex. The main thing with the females is, they can lay eggs without ever being mated so you have to prepare a laying bin preferably in the cage or outside of their cage to lay eggs in. If they develop eggs and have nowhere to lay them, they will become eggbound and die. I am attaching a video for you made by one of our members who is also a breeder and one of our site sponsors.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/laying-bin-set-up-educational-video-77225
 
smutherbucket said:
The store has agreed to exchange a male for my female if we would like.. Still trying to decide.
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Is this your first Chameleon or do you have experience? I personally decided to go with a male for my first Chameleon just because you don't have to worry about Laying eggs and caring for them like you do with a female every couple of months. I wanted to assure myself I familiarized myself with Chameleons and their general care before I entrusted myself to care for a female. I've heard Females are actually quite sweet, but they definitely require extra attention. If you're ready for that kind of commitment, I say keep her.
 
I actually think she needs to lay now.. Going to put her in the bin tonight. I think I may just trade her she is sweet but not what I was looking for in a chameleon. And your right I'd rather not do this every few months
 
Personally I would exchange her for a male and see how you like them and possibly get a female down the road. Its nice to see the store is willing to exchange her. I dont know if it was an honest mistake but at least they are willing to make it right.

Keep us updated on what you decide to do.:)
 
Yes, they told me they are 3-4 months old. The males are already showing colors. They are nosey be (sp?) it sounds like. Will be heading over there tomorrow.
 
It's disappointing but I'm currently dealing with the same issue after buying my ambilobe at a reptile fair a month ago, the vendor assured me it was a male I was buying, but in actual fact it's a female. I'm trying my darndest to contact the vendors through the fair's FB page as there's another fair by the same organisors and in the same place in a few months, so I'm going to try and exchange her for a male. To add insult to injury I ended up paying a higher price for a male.
 
I'm sorry to hear that. Yea, I did exchange her, and I picked a up a 3-4 month old nosey be (sp) I'll post a pick when I get a chance.
 
Please alert the store owner to her eye issue(s). Could be something as simple as too much UVB or Vit A deficiency. Something, that will have to be addressed regardless.
 
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