breeding grounds

[GreenFlinger]

So I am flirting a little bit with the idea of breeding my two Sambavas. I have 2 huge stand up cages I keep them in (separate), and I put Disco (my male) into the female's enclosure just to see if she is into him or not. She did not turn dark or start hissing so I am thinking maybe she is becoming a little more receptive. But since the cage is so big, that she just disapears into the bottom foilage. So a couple questions came up regarding this breeding.. Do you that breed, put your male and female into a designated "breeding" cage so she cant go to far, or easier to monitor? Will it ever be safe to leave him in her cage, must I monitor the process or do you guys just pair them up for a day or so?

 

[TreeTopChameleons]

I would strongly advise against ever leaving your chameleons caged together unattended, it could literally take seconds and one of your chameleons could be seriously injured or killed. I would suggest setting up a 3rd "neutral" enclosure with minimal foliage. If a breeding is going to take place, likely it will happen straight away..within 15minutes or so. If you do not witness copulation, separate them and try them another day. Make sure to monitor colors and behaviors to ensure you are not causing any unnecessary stress to either of them. Breeding is quite simple, basically if they are both interested you really don't need to do much to help them along. Good luck and enjoy this time, it is a very rewarding experience to see the entire life cycle of a chameleon!

 

[laurie]

I put my male in the females cage, and watch them for a few minutes. As stated, you will know soon if they are going to mate. I give them a hour or so, to do the deed, after they start mating and I can see nothing is wrong. Then I check and if the female wants the male out of there then he is out of there. If you are leaving to go the work or where ever, I would put the male back in his cage, and see if they want to be together again, later. That is just how I do it, I am sure there are several different ways.

 

[pssh]

I think where you put them depends on the way they react to other chameleons/new places. If the male doesnt like new places and the female doesnt mind, you can move her to his cage. If the female doesnt like new places, put the male in her cage. If one is very aggressive to other chameleons (not just the female being unreceptive) when one is put in their cage, put the agressive one in a new space. Of they are both agressive, use a neutral area.

Always watch them though! Just in case!

 

[GreenFlinger]

Unreceptive male?

Well here is where im at pssh...The male was rearing and ready to go, head bobing, throwing colors, the whole 9 yards, but she was already gravid & not having it. So its been awhile since she has laid her ghost clutch, and she is acting receptive. since their cages are so large though, i set up a little area with bamboo and wicker, that they can climb on for the breeding attempt. She is completly fine with him in close quarters with her. keeps very light colors to her. He however is no longer interested. no head bobing. Now he is the one opening his mouth but he does no harm to her, she can climb right over him. Im suspecting this is because he is out of his cage and unfomfortable. Is this normal for the male to act uninterested? Any feedback?

 

[GreenFlinger]

Can anyone relate?

 

[pssh]

I have a male who acts that way when he is out of the cage and sees a female. As soon as he sees a lady while he is in his cage, he goes crazy. I would see how she does in his cage. If nothing happens on his end, it could be that he can tell she is not quite receptive (but not necessarily gravid either) or he could be convinced to get his butt into gear with the sight of another male. If you dont have another male, you can try using a picture of a male or using a mirror so he can see "the other suitor" in the mirror. I had one guy that wouldn't breed with his female until I put a jacksons chameleon in the cage with them, so just try some stuff and see what happens. If nothing works, just try putting them together again later.

 

[GreenFlinger]

Thanks! Her cage is better for breeding, so I switched their cages. Put him in hers and her in his, so when I try again I can just stick her into "his" enviroment. I can tell this is going to be tricky, but I am dedicated to trying at least once a week until I find what works