How long does it take for a Cham to fully grow?

[Veild Cham Owner]

I've noticed from pictures that my almost 9 month old Cham looks a lil smaller than other chams his age I see in the forums. Could he just be a small fry or does it take longer for him to fully get to his full growth? He is a veiled btw.

 

[bobcochran]

They never stop growing completely. They do slow down a lot though. Chameleons are like humans some grow fast early, some late. There are larger and smaller adults. They're individuals, you never know what the final size might be.

 

[Veild Cham Owner]

They never stop growing completely. They do slow down a lot though. Chameleons are like humans some grow fast early, some late. There are larger and smaller adults. They're individuals, you never know what the final size might be.

Ok thank you!! That makes a lot more sense!!

 

[Andee]

He won't be considered an adult until like 18 months...

 

[Matt Vanilla Gorilla]

Reptiles never seem to stop growing! If all is optimal they live long and grow big!

 

[Matt Vanilla Gorilla]

Reptiles never seem to stop growing! If all is optimal they live long and grow big!

So sad that some of them are genetically coded for short lives!

 

[Veild Cham Owner]

So sad that some of them are genetically coded for short lives!

Yea that is Tru but I do hear that if chams are heathy they can live up to 7 years!!!!

 

[Andee]

Some like male veileds can live up to 12 years, those the last few years can be hard and require many regular vet visits to make sure they are still healthy and have good quality of life

 

[brownie64]

Some like male veileds can live up to 12 years, those the last few years can be hard and require many regular vet visits to make sure they are still healthy and have good quality of life

I've had them live almost 10 years, but not 12 that's really good you must have taken very good care of him is he still going?

 

[Andee]

Oh god lol, brownie I didn't mean me XD I have yet to have a veiled for a long period of time. Most of them I get are rescues whomever I end up rehoming after I get them back on track, right now I only have space for two cages sadly. I wish I could take in another. I have heard of some living around 12 years, I think Jann has had one live around there... not sure though... o.o I think I have even heard of a 13 year old. However when they become that old from what I understand and what makes sense is you have to have quite a few check ups a year just to make sure they are still having quality of life and not suffering. If they have arthritis that is usually easily managed with pain meds. But as they get older just like with humans their body starts breaking down, and you just gotta make sure you are keeping them alive and they are still happy.

 

[Matt Vanilla Gorilla]

Here is some info i coppied and pasted from Wikipedia.organic about the Furcifer labordi. "Like other Furcifer species (F. antimena, F. lateralis), F. labordi has an obligate year-long lifecycle. It lives for only about 4 to 5 months, making it the shortest lifespan ever recorded for a four legged vertebrate.[4][5] In their natural habitat, eggs hatch with the first rains in November, the growth is rapid, and adulthood is reached by January, at which time they breed. By later February or early March, females have deposited the eggs which will hatch next year, and the entire population dies until the next hatching."

 

[Matt Vanilla Gorilla]

The oldest panther I know of was 9.5 years. It was a male.

 

[Andee]

Here is some info i coppied and pasted from Wikipedia.organic about the Furcifer labordi. "Like other Furcifer species (F. antimena, F. lateralis), F. labordi has an obligate year-long lifecycle. It lives for only about 4 to 5 months, making it the shortest lifespan ever recorded for a four legged vertebrate.[4][5] In their natural habitat, eggs hatch with the first rains in November, the growth is rapid, and adulthood is reached by January, at which time they breed. By later February or early March, females have deposited the eggs which will hatch next year, and the entire population dies until the next hatching."

That would be in the wild if anything. Plus I think furcifer labordi is shorter lived than other species of furcifers. It is also much smaller. Panthers from what I understand usually live at the most if you are really lucky to be 10 years old. I agree with you Matt. For some reason Veileds live a lot longer if they are well cared for.

 

[brownie64]

I read a chameleon care book once "way back in the day" that the author said he had a male Jackson's live 16 years. I hope my boy reaches that. I believe it was this book