How to care a gravid melleri?

[Mawtyplant]

Hello!
I just want to know if some of you know how to care about a gravid melleri? feed as much she want and dusting with calcium? every day? other vitamin?
Thank!

 

[Andee]

@jpowell86 @Extensionofgreen

I think these two will help with this the most? Not sure if I forgot anyone *frowns*

 

[jpowell86]

Hello!
I just want to know if some of you know how to care about a gravid melleri? feed as much she want and dusting with calcium? every day? other vitamin?
Thank!

Hey @Mawtyplant. Yes, you will want to feed that girl as much as possible. Calcium is a must and I would give it every three feedings for the first month and ramp it up to every other feeding after that. Making sure to pay attention to gular edema.

I would not give any vitamins and minerals to her during these months. Melleri react very strange to most of the products that are available on market right now. Really focus on providing a great gutload for the feeders. That with the calcium will be your most important factors. Also, if you do decide that you want to give her vitamins and mineral(I DO NOT recommend it), then use something weak like dendrocare. The Repashy products are not good for the melleri. I wouldn't want to risk it with a gravid female.

Is this her first clutch? I think I remember her coming gravid to you?

 

[Mawtyplant]

Hey @Mawtyplant. Yes, you will want to feed that girl as much as possible. Calcium is a must and I would give it every three feedings for the first month and ramp it up to every other feeding after that. Making sure to pay attention to gular edema.

I would not give any vitamins and minerals to her during these months. Melleri react very strange to most of the products that are available on market right now. Really focus on providing a great gutload for the feeders. That with the calcium will be your most important factors. Also, if you do decide that you want to give her vitamins and mineral(I DO NOT recommend it), then use something weak like dendrocare. The Repashy products are not good for the melleri. I wouldn't want to risk it with a gravid female.

Is this her first clutch? I think I remember her coming gravid to you?

Amazing, So i will use calcium and no other vitamin (i gutload my feeders so i think she dont need extra synthetic stuff) i still continue with Vit A 1 a month? (Vit A Oil not the powder from repashy).

Yeap first clutch (she was too yong last year) so im scared but she is super healthy so i think she can get it!

 

[jpowell86]

Amazing, So i will use calcium and no other vitamin (i gutload my feeders so i think she dont need extra synthetic stuff) i still continue with Vit A 1 a month? (Vit A Oil not the powder from repashy).

Yeap first clutch (she was too yong last year) so im scared but she is super healthy so i think she can get it!

Good. I bet with this being her first clutch, you will get anywhere from 30-50 eggs. I hope no more than that, but it is possible for sure. It looks like you free range them, correct?? What are your plans for separation?

 

[Mawtyplant]

Good. I bet with this being her first clutch, you will get anywhere from 30-50 eggs. I hope no more than that, but it is possible for sure. It looks like you free range them, correct?? What are your plans for separation?

My two female have there own territory and my female have laid with no problem last year. The problem is my male because he walk between the two place. I have plan cutting the "road" between both territory and put a curtain between both territory. They actually have 10 feets x 16 feets so if i cut it its 5 feets x 8 each. I think.. my big concern is if both of my female are gravid.. if it happen i will probably have too put my male in a cage.. i have one extra cage melleri size (medical cage.. my "just in case cage")

 

[jpowell86]

My two female have there own territory and my female have laid with no problem last year. The problem is my male because he walk between the two place. I have plan cutting the "road" between both territory and put a curtain between both territory. They actually have 10 feets x 16 feets so if i cut it its 5 feets x 8 each. I think.. my big concern is if both of my female are gravid.. if it happen i will probably have too put my male in a cage.. i have one extra cage melleri size (medical cage.. my "just in case cage")

How did the eggs turn out last year?

You can play with the arrangement how you like, but if you suspect both females are gravid, I would separate all three. The males are annoying and will constantly want to breed, but the females are the nasty ones. They will attack even when you think it is not possible. Just friendly advice. Keeping them all separated is the best option. It will lessen variables and will take stress off during the gravid months. It is only three months, so it will go by quickly. I would just get some heavy shower curtain and separate them. That should do it. No need in breaking the bank.

 

[Mawtyplant]

How did the eggs turn out last year?

You can play with the arrangement how you like, but if you suspect both females are gravid, I would separate all three. The males are annoying and will constantly want to breed, but the females are the nasty ones. They will attack even when you think it is not possible. Just friendly advice. Keeping them all separated is the best option. It will lessen variables and will take stress off during the gravid months. It is only three months, so it will go by quickly. I would just get some heavy shower curtain and separate them. That should do it. No need in breaking the bank.

Not fertiles last year That was from Dinah (my other female) she was a bit sick (new home, parasite, fungus infection with gular edema..) now she is stronger so i think she is ok

So i will check to put my male appart i think its the best option even my freerange are large its not a forest!

is every female will chage color when gravid?

 

[jpowell86]

Not fertiles last year That was from Dinah (my other female) she was a bit sick (new home, parasite, fungus infection with gular edema..) now she is stronger so i think she is ok

So i will check to put my male appart i think its the best option even my freerange are large its not a forest!

is every female will chage color when gravid?

Good deal. Glad you got Dinah better. Not every female will give a color indication.

 

[Extensionofgreen]

I would agree with @jpowell86 , but I DO recommend providing preformed vitamin A via Dendrocare or Repashy Supervite. With the Repashy, only use it once or twice a month, lightly dusted on a small portion of the feeders given that day. For example, lightly dust 4 out of 12 adult crickets. The Dendrocare is much less likely to be overdosed and can be used once or twice a week, lightly dusting a portion of the prey. If you notice swelling around the throat (guller edema) suspect the vitamins and eliminate them and once the edema subsides, start using at 1/2 the frequency suggested. An animal can respond differently to supplements depending on several factors; kidney health being a big factor.
Don't be afraid to offer some higher fat feeders. Don't feed them exclusively, but using butter worms, superworms, hissing roaches, and other fatty items supply needed fats and cholesterol for assimilating nutrients and developing yokes that will supply the building blocks for healthy babies. Brains are mostly cholesterol, for example.

 

[Mawtyplant]

I would agree with @jpowell86 , but I DO recommend providing preformed vitamin A via Dendrocare or Repashy Supervite. With the Repashy, only use it once or twice a month, lightly dusted on a small portion of the feeders given that day. For example, lightly dust 4 out of 12 adult crickets. The Dendrocare is much less likely to be overdosed and can be used once or twice a week, lightly dusting a portion of the prey. If you notice swelling around the throat (guller edema) suspect the vitamins and eliminate them and once the edema subsides, start using at 1/2 the frequency suggested. An animal can respond differently to supplements depending on several factors; kidney health being a big factor.
Don't be afraid to offer some higher fat feeders. Don't feed them exclusively, but using butter worms, superworms, hissing roaches, and other fatty items supply needed fats and cholesterol for assimilating nutrients and developing yokes that will supply the building blocks for healthy babies. Brains are mostly cholesterol, for example.

all right! i think i will continue with my proformed vit A oil (not sure but seem safe) she hate butter worms, i hate super and roach are illegal in quebec :/ Hornworm and silk? roden?

I know its not for now but any cues for de laying box?

 

[Extensionofgreen]

I would not feed rodents. Silkworms and hornworms are great feeders.
My female layed in a large planter, after digging for about a month. It's common for chameleons to lay at the base of a plant, where the roots keep the soil easier to move and shape into a tunnel, as well as providing immediate shelter for the babies. I would provide a few nesting options with different substrates and moisture levels. A sandy laying bin, and more soil based bin, and a nesting bin 2/3 vermiculite and 1/3 potting soil would be a good start. I was using small, plastic patio ponds as planters, after drilling holes in the bottom. They are about 2' across and about as deep and available in the outdoor gardening department of Lowes or HomeDepot.