pamnsam94
Established Member
It seems that people who are intent on breeding melleri will often buy multiple wild caught adults (or sub-adults) and watch for interactions between them to determine sex, etc. and cross their fingers with the hope that they will one day breed.
Most of us know that it can take quite a while to acclimate WC melleri. Not only do we have to deal with multiple vet visits for parasites and other health problems common with imports of this species, but changing up their environment by moving them to a different room or cage, adding new individuals to the group, or sometimes even adding new plants or perches can sometimes set them back a little in terms of acclimating them and making them feel comfortable enough to exhibit normal melleri behavior.
Some have wondered why Meller's are not established in captivity, especially considering the large numbers that have been imported into this country. Some of the difficulties with WC animals are pointed out above, but even the occasionally available captive hatched melleri hasn't gone very far in trying to establish these fantastic animals. Of course, raising neonate melleri presents its own set of challenges, but it seems that many of the CH Meller's are often bought by people who don't really have plans on breeding them, or else they lose interest in the time it takes to raise the neonates to maturity. Many of those people simply want a "cool", large, CH chameleon that is different from the standard panther chameleons. Of course, knowing that melleri are one of the three largest chameleons in the world only adds to that appeal.
Surely it's been suggested before (although I've personally never read about it), but I think a better approach to establish a group of melleri, and thereby increasing our chances of breeding the species in captivity, would be to acquire a group of 7 or so young or very young WC individuals (which theoretically should harbor a much lighter parasite load than larger WC adults). If the 7 young WC are bought from different suppliers and originate from different shipments, chances are that a keeper/breeder would have a good chance (98%) of getting at least one pair. Although the time it can take to raise a young melleri to adulthood can certainly test the patience of hopeful breeders, the time required would be invaluable to the animals themselves as they establish their social hierarchies.
Experienced keepers, especially, frequently suggest buying CB or younger WC chameleons. That advice is often followed by newer keepers looking for a pet, but ironically IMO, the experienced keepers and breeders themselves, in their confidence in being able to frequently acclimate WC animals, often ignore their own advice. Speaking for myself, I know I've been guilty sometimes of undervaluing or at least underappreciating the wisdom of that suggestion in my desire to breed a particular species as quickly as possible.
Bottom line. We all need to practice patience. If Meller's are one of your favorite species, as they are one of mine, and you can't wait to breed them, keep yourself occupied, while waiting for your young melleri to grow up, by working with another species that's easier to breed. The choices are many.
I'd love to hear from any of you, melleri keepers especially, as to whether you are or have ever used the above approach (my current plan). I don't pretend to know the future of melleri exports, but it may be wise for those of us intent on breeding this awesome species and wishing it to become established in captivity to buy younger animals as much as possible before melleri imports become less common and before the prices on them go up dramatically as we have seen with other species.
Perry
Most of us know that it can take quite a while to acclimate WC melleri. Not only do we have to deal with multiple vet visits for parasites and other health problems common with imports of this species, but changing up their environment by moving them to a different room or cage, adding new individuals to the group, or sometimes even adding new plants or perches can sometimes set them back a little in terms of acclimating them and making them feel comfortable enough to exhibit normal melleri behavior.
Some have wondered why Meller's are not established in captivity, especially considering the large numbers that have been imported into this country. Some of the difficulties with WC animals are pointed out above, but even the occasionally available captive hatched melleri hasn't gone very far in trying to establish these fantastic animals. Of course, raising neonate melleri presents its own set of challenges, but it seems that many of the CH Meller's are often bought by people who don't really have plans on breeding them, or else they lose interest in the time it takes to raise the neonates to maturity. Many of those people simply want a "cool", large, CH chameleon that is different from the standard panther chameleons. Of course, knowing that melleri are one of the three largest chameleons in the world only adds to that appeal.
Surely it's been suggested before (although I've personally never read about it), but I think a better approach to establish a group of melleri, and thereby increasing our chances of breeding the species in captivity, would be to acquire a group of 7 or so young or very young WC individuals (which theoretically should harbor a much lighter parasite load than larger WC adults). If the 7 young WC are bought from different suppliers and originate from different shipments, chances are that a keeper/breeder would have a good chance (98%) of getting at least one pair. Although the time it can take to raise a young melleri to adulthood can certainly test the patience of hopeful breeders, the time required would be invaluable to the animals themselves as they establish their social hierarchies.
Experienced keepers, especially, frequently suggest buying CB or younger WC chameleons. That advice is often followed by newer keepers looking for a pet, but ironically IMO, the experienced keepers and breeders themselves, in their confidence in being able to frequently acclimate WC animals, often ignore their own advice. Speaking for myself, I know I've been guilty sometimes of undervaluing or at least underappreciating the wisdom of that suggestion in my desire to breed a particular species as quickly as possible.
Bottom line. We all need to practice patience. If Meller's are one of your favorite species, as they are one of mine, and you can't wait to breed them, keep yourself occupied, while waiting for your young melleri to grow up, by working with another species that's easier to breed. The choices are many.
I'd love to hear from any of you, melleri keepers especially, as to whether you are or have ever used the above approach (my current plan). I don't pretend to know the future of melleri exports, but it may be wise for those of us intent on breeding this awesome species and wishing it to become established in captivity to buy younger animals as much as possible before melleri imports become less common and before the prices on them go up dramatically as we have seen with other species.
Perry
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