Getting CH melleri :)

[chameleonneeds]

Hey all.

I have gotten a tip off that there will be 14 CH melleri next week at a reptile expo. I called the guy who I expected to have them yesterday and he told me they hatched about a week and a half ago and they will all be for sale at the show for R700-R800. Thats about $106 each.
Please remember Im talking about in South Africa I dont want to get anyone excited lol.

So I was thinking of getting 2 of them.
I know they are definetely CH because the breeder and I spoke a few months ago about chams and then he told me about the eggs he has.

If I get them, they will be about 3 or 4 weeks old.

I know this is not such a hardy species but I really dont want to pass on the oppurtunity of getting some of these guys.

Im just a bit scared that I might not do well with them, and would like to get some advice from you guys on what I should do.
I have been through a bit of melleri discovery but will read on, but I would really like to hear from what you guys personaly have to say about them.

I would like to hear from someone that has kept a WC and a CH/CB melleri so that you can tell me if it is much harder.
The reason I am considering buying them is because they are not WC because I know they are hard to acclimate, in SA they were regarded as the 90 day chameleon. And I also want them because I am jealouse of hearing all the stories of peoples melleri and I would also like to try melleri. Maybe 1 day I will breed them if I can get a pair.

Any advice will be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[draetish]

This is a "must" read: http://www.melleridiscovery.com/

3-4 weeks old is really young to start with. Most chams aren't sold until they are at least 3 months old. You are one lucky person, good luck to ya!

 

[laurie]

You need to talk to Fluxlizard, he has a clutch of c/b babies that are 4 months old so he knows what he is doing. I would be really worried about babies that young, so I am sure he can help you with how to raise them. Go for it!!!

 

[chams1]

I have acclimated fresh WC imports as well as started with 6 week old CH from FL Chams. You have to take into consideration the age difference and circumstances when dealing with both of these. The WC imports are generally adults or large juvies when you get them and you have to make sure you properly acclimate them, hydrate and feed them and get them to make a smooth and unstressful transition. When you have the little ones, they are already somewhat established because they were born into their environment so it's generally not as stressful on them.

But yes, as Donna mentioned, a fantastic resource is www.melleridiscovery.com. While it is not updated, it is still a great source of information. Fluxlizard is also a good source of information as he has raised clutches of them. However, one thing I have learned from having both WC and CH, as with other chams, there is no be-all/end-all sure "tried and true" way to keep them that works for everyone. The way I have been successful in keeping them may not work for others and vice versa. They have such a wide range of variables in their natural environment that I find them to be adaptable to a few different scenarios. I currently have a clutch of CB eggs incubating and am certainly looking forward any babies I might be lucky enough to have.

But I say go for it. This is my favorite species and they are well worth the challenge. Please keep us updated.

 

[PardalisGirl]

Jealous........

You've already gotten the good advise you need. The only other thing I can add is that I'm jealous of your opportunity to get those babes! Let us know what happens. You will find a lot of Melleri enthusiasts here to share with.

 

[chameleonneeds]

Thanks, your all very helpful ladies (incase you didnt notice, all of who replied are ladies)

I am very excited about these guys but am quite bugged that I have to wait till next weekend!

I have read through almost the whole melleridiscovery website. I know how scarce CH melleri are even to the people in the U.S that is why I am not passing on the oppurtunity of getting some of these awsome chams.

I hope one day that I will hatch out some of these guys to. I will definetely keep everyone updated about them.

 

[chameleonneeds]

Hey all.

Well I was going to go tonight to the breeders house so that I could book the 2 mellers and then I would pick them up on saturday.

Well my friend gave the breeder a call to make sure we can go over tonight.

So then I got an sms from my friend saying that Brad (a guy noone in S.A likes because he owes people money, sells them unhealthy animals, lies, steals, the list goes on . . . ) bought all the mellers All 14 of them gone to just this one idiot. I am also quite dissapointed with the breeder for having even sold to Brad.

This is extremely dissapointing for me, I was really looking forward to getting them. . .

 

[eisentrauti]

Heads up Tyrone, I'm sure you can get still melleris in future

 

[chameleonneeds]

Your right ben but these were genuine Captive hatched.
Now there better be something nice at the show because I have R3000 spare which were meant for the mellers

 

[laurie]

I am sorry you lost the chance to buy these little ones but hang on to the money as you will get some mellers yet.

 

[chameleonneeds]

Thanks guys, well it seems it just really wasnt meant to be.

Quite weird but with all this that happend and how upset I got from it, I got a new contact that will have ambilobe panther, tamatave panther, and jackson chameleons available soon. They are going to cost me alot so Im glad I didnt spend the money on the mellers now. They will be $1333 a pair panthers(I accept donations) That is alot of money for me.