Interested in learning more about Cristatus

[Syn]

After reading an article Brad R suggested to me, http://chameleonnews.com/?page=article&id=51, I've become quite interested in Tr. cristatus.

I just love the oranges on the males, one of my favorite colors on any reptile.

Generally, I am looking for opinions of people who have owned Cristatus, or some online articles I could print out that are full of facts.

Any general information about these guys would be appreciated.

I don't plan on getting these for a long time, so don't worry, I will probably get a good year or two of research in before checking out this delightfully odd species.

 

[Syn]

Does anyone have any info?
I've only found a couple things on google, and you know how google is, you can't trust all of it.

 

[hemiram04]

I have been trying to get a couple pairs for a breeding project. I currently have two males (the females died) and am looking for some females. My experience is that 99% of them are wild caught and by the time that the consumer gets them they are half dead (even if they come from a respectful dealer). They are a very lean chameleon with almost nothing to fall on if they dont eat. They always have high parasite loads. With this being said I keep trying as I think these guys are one of the cooler species of chameleons. I just love the blues tinges to them as well.

 

[Syn]

Yes, I've read about them being a species that doesn't do well if wild caught, but I know a couple people on here have some eggs cooking.

Thank you!

 

[hemiram04]

In that case, I keep my guys pretty much the same as jackson's but with a little higher humidity.

 

[Syn]

Do you keep them in a screen or a glass enclosure, and do you provide a substrate?

I was talking to someone who knew a bit about cristatus, but they haven't really done much with them for quite a while, and you know how time and information changes quickly.

 

[hemiram04]

I keep mine in screen cages in the greenhouse now (high humidity always) with no substrate. I do however use hibiscus plants that are potted and provide some dirt. When I had them inside, they went in a glass terrarium (I believe that it was made by Zoo Med) that measured 18x18x24 and I did not keep them in pairs. I do not currently have a male/female pair to keep together in the screen cages or I might try it.

 

[Syn]

Thanks for the info!

It's hard to keep humidity up here, but I plan on having a setup that will allow for maximum humidity needed, I will probably go the whole nine yards and purchase a nice humidifier/fogger with a mistking to go with it.

So glass is alright?

 

[hemiram04]

I know that the glass terrariums have a screen top and have a ventilation port along the bottom of the door. It doesnt sound like a lot but it actually allows a decent airflow.

 

[Brad Ramsey]

I am using 1/2 glass, 1/2 screen.
I would also worry about temperatures in Arizona.
They need to be cool.

-Brad

 

[Syn]

I know that the glass terrariums have a screen top and have a ventilation port along the bottom of the door. It doesnt sound like a lot but it actually allows a decent airflow.

Sounds good, I'll check it out, do you have a link?

I am using 1/2 glass, 1/2 screen.
I would also worry about temperatures in Arizona.
They need to be cool.

-Brad

Of course, yes, the temperatures that I despise so.

I am saving up for a nice in room AC unit, we already have one for the living room, but I would like one for my room where I keep the chameleons.

It's kept at a steady 78 in my room but I'm sure a nice AC unit wouldn't hurt.

 

[hemiram04]

http://www.zoomed.com it is the naturalistic terrarium I believe (havent purchased one in about 3-4 years)

 

[Syn]

Oh yeah, I have been planning to get some of those for my cresteds, but are they big enough?

Roughly what size in gallons should a Cristatus be in?

 

[hemiram04]

The 18x18x24 size terrarium seemed to suite them well. As far as using a glass aquarium I would use either a 20g tall or 40g tall. I have mine in 18x18x36 screen cages just because I have a ton of them.

 

[Syn]

Thanks for all the info!

I will start looking for one of those.