Chamaeleo gracilis references

[Draco1702]

Hi, I have been looking for some references dealing specifically with C. gracilis and would like to know if anybody would be able to recommend any books, articles, etc. on this species' biology and ecology in the wild, as well as husbandry and breeding in captivity. Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

 

[laurie]

Chameleons of Africa has a section on them. but the section on that specific cham is only 7 pages and the book is about $200 it is by Colin Tilbury. It is a fantastic book.

There is also 2 pages in Chameleons Nature's Hidden Jewels by Petr Necas again a fairly expensive book for a small amount of information. Again another of my books I love.

Both of these are great additions to any chameleon owners library.

Have you tried google to see what you can find?

 

[kinyonga]

Not much.....
http://web.archive.org/web/20060224...ham.com/html/taxonomy/species/chgracilis.html

 

[Fearaffect]

WOW!! 200 bucks for a book??!!

 

[laurie]

WOW!! 200 bucks for a book??!!

Honey the book is a atlas with over 800 pages. It is worth every penny. If you shop you can get them a bit cheaper but not much.

 

[Draco1702]

Hi All, thanks for your posts.

So far I have not much luck online and what I found is either too basic or not adding any info to what is already available in Petr Necas' book - my chameleon bible since I got my first cham about 10 years ago... I would love to get a copy of Chameleons of Africa, but the cost is somewhat prohibitive... It will have to stay on my wish-list for the time being!

Among scientific papers I found only one that, albeit not specific, reports some information on natural occurrence of this species:

Akani, G. C., Ogbalu, O. K. & Luiselli, L., 2001. Life–history and ecological distribution of chameleons (Reptilia, Chamaeleonidae) from the rain forests of Nigeria: conservation implications. Animal Biodiversity and Conservation, 24.2: 1–15.

Also, there is a DVM dissertation that has some information on captive care as well:

Junius-Bourdain F. 2006. CAMÉLÉONS: BIOLOGIE, ÉLEVAGE ET PRINCIPALES AFFECTIONS. ÉCOLE NATIONALE VÉTÉRINAIRE D’ALFORT.

 

[Draco1702]

Akani, G. C., Ogbalu, O. K. & Luiselli, L., 2001. Life–history and ecological distribution of chameleons (Reptilia, Chamaeleonidae) from the rain forests of Nigeria: conservation implications. Animal Biodiversity and Conservation, 24.2: 1–15.

View attachment Akani et al 2001 - Life–history and ecological distribution of chameleons (Reptilia, Chamaeleon.pdf

 

[Draco1702]

Here is a link to the DVM dissertation:

http://theses.vet-alfort.fr/telecharger.php?id=956

 

[Fearaffect]

Honey the book is a atlas with over 800 pages. It is worth every penny. If you shop you can get them a bit cheaper but not much.

Yea, guess that does make sense.....once again the GREAT LAURIE speaks wisdom.....

 

[Draco1702]

Question for those of you who keep C. gracilis - in lack of detailed info on the species' natural habitat(s), how do you go about keeping them in captivity? I always try to replicate their habitat's conditions as closely as possible, but with a species with such a large geographic distribution and limited references I am not sure what is best!

 

[thatoneguy]

Question for those of you who keep C. gracilis - in lack of detailed info on the species' natural habitat(s), how do you go about keeping them in captivity? I always try to replicate their habitat's conditions as closely as possible, but with a species with such a large geographic distribution and limited references I am not sure what is best!

we look at about 10 different websites learn the husbandy.(most websites differ) then we try whichever one sounds most accurate. making small tweaks as we go. in the wild the weather isnt always perfect the temperature changes daily. each cham likes something different!! find what makes him/her happy.

 

[Draco1702]

we look at about 10 different websites learn the husbandy.(most websites differ) then we try whichever one sounds most accurate. making small tweaks as we go. in the wild the weather isnt always perfect the temperature changes daily. each cham likes something different!! find what makes him/her happy.

That is pretty much what I have been doing, trying to rely as much as possible on whatever information is available in specialized publications. I also realize that for a species with such a broad geographic distribution microhabitats can probably differ notably, so if there are no major drastic changes to their captive conditions they should be fine.

 

[thatoneguy]

and they will be fine. (in my experience)! sadly they havent done any thorough research on them that ive came across. goodluck to you tho!

 

[espressodude]

Laurie: where did you get your copy of Chameleons Nature's Hidden Jewels by Petr Necas. Didn't you get it kind of recently from Europe. It sucks that the first edition is still available and the second edition (the good one) is out of print. I'll bet when Chameleons of Africa sell out they probably won't do a second printing of that either.