Dwarf fichers chameleons

[huntin4sharks]

can they live in a 24X18X24 aquarium exo terra???

 

[Cainschams]

I have been successful keeping a captive bred Kinyongia tavetana male and female in 30x16x16 cage. I would not go any smaller though especially for a wild caught animal. They are a smaller to medium sized chameleon but very active and need enough room to roam. Being that I hatched out the ones I kept in that size cage they were used to being caged anyway. WC ones should be given plenty of room and a densely planted enclosure.

Out of 12 WC tavetana that I have had since keeping chameleons I only could keep one for any longer period of time which was 6 months. Most of the ones I got came in in bad shape or just did not acclimate. I have had some success with the captive born ones though.

If you need any information on temperatures, humidity, demeanor etc please do not hesitate to ask!!!

 

[reptoman]

I sent you a PM on that very subject. Can you throw out some basics on keeping these temps/humidity .....?

 

[Cainschams]

The basic rundown would be a cage for WCs no less than 30x16x16 and as I said, in my experience, the CB adults have no problems with that size cage. Of course densely planted because they are a very shy chameleon. In the Taita Hills where they come from temperatures can get up to 86 degrees but average temps are 72 to 75 degrees so they can take a bit higher temps than some of the other montane species. Night time average temps are 54 to 61 degrees at night and sometimes even down to 45 degrees. Humidity can get lower than 50% during the day time and is around 80% night time. These are pretty good parameters for a montane species and easy to negotiate. In my experience I have found them not to go for any worm like species (WC and CB) but love any thing with very quick movements like crix, flies, hoppers, moths etc. In Necas book he says they are observed breeding and gravid all year round so there is no seasonal simulation needed to get them to breed. Just wait until the female is receptive and of course the male will be more than happy I have hatched 4 clutches. The first clutch incubation temps were kind of all over the place being they were incubated in a cupboard But the last three clutches hatched out between 10.5 and 11 months at temps between 65 and 70 degrees. Babies come out small, small, small!!! They will accept FFs and pinhead or 1/8 inch crix about 2 or 3 days after hatching.

Any other specific questions ask away!!!!

 

[reptoman]

Migth be a stupid question, but do you house male and female together in a 16x16x30? Or are you saying that CB adults need at least 16x16x30 each?

 

[Cainschams]

Migth be a stupid question, but do you house male and female together in a 16x16x30? Or are you saying that CB adults need at least 16x16x30 each?

Definitely no housing a pair together. I had troubles with a couple males this year. They were in the same cages as the females but the males went down hill and the females were find. Same every thing for them. The only conclusion I can come to is after a few months or even at hatching the males cannot be housed together.

BTW, females are just as awesome as the males!!!!!

 

[reptoman]

Thanks Jared. Appreciate the info!

 

[Cainschams]

Oooops! I meant females were fine I really am baffled why the few males went down hill and the females didnt in the same cages but as I said I can only think of one reason. All the males that others have are just fine. They were separated within 3 to 4 months when moved to new homes.

No problem for the info!!! I love talking about tavetana!!!