Interspecies Aggression/Stress

[zwhitman]

Obviously most chams prefer solitary lives, and especially don't tolerate the visual presence of members of the same species. But what about other species? For most of my life I have kept chameleons so that they could not see each other at all, regardless of the species. Currently however I have 2 screen cages housing a pair of carpets, which are in full view of my male veiled's free range canopy. I have not noticed any interaction of any type between the two.

I do remember in a pet store that I used to work at that I had to move a male veiled and a male panther because they would not stop displaying at each other from about 30 feet across the room. Then again I am pretty sure most male veileds would display at nothing at all just to amuse themselves sometimes!

I am curious for those of you that keep multiple species of chameleons if you have ever noticed interactions between chams within site of each other.

What species and what happened?

 

[AReptile]

Not between chams but my chameleon is very aware of my bearded dragon when i dont have that side of the cage covered, but doesn't generally do anything. Only time she did was when I put her close to the tank out of interest to see both of their reactions and she puffed up and was HUGE.

 

[Motherlode Chameleon]

I have seen it done before at a wholesalers for short periods of time. Yet absolutely would not recommend it for keeping captive chameleons. I have seen far worse disasters than successes.

 

[morpheon]

This is not from personal experience, but from what i have read from great sources.

Calyptratus are usually not a good option for any contact with other chameleons. However, some species MAY tolerate other chameleons, like Furcifer Pardalis, if they are the same sex, and also if they have different colors. For example, a Noby Be can tolelate a Diego Suarez easier than another Nosy Be (or any other blue Pardalis...). Then you can add an ambilobe, etc. I'm sure you get the point. I have seen huge setups with up to 10-12 males in the same area.

Also, i have read that Parsonii do great in small groups in huge free range, where they can isolate themselves or not, depending on their mood. They also tolerate to see other chameleons. However, always remember that Parsoniis are amongst the chameleons that are the hardest to notice any signs of stress.

For Trioceros, i haven't read much about them, so i'll let others speak for me!


Of course, what i just read is FAR FROM BEING UNIVERSAL. Every animal is different, even if they have common aspects. So grouping chameleons in the same setup or just allowing them to see each other is something to do with great care, and you must be prepared to isolate them at any time, even a year or 3 years later.

 

[AReptile]

I recall 5-6 years ago when i used to see chameleons quite a bit in the pet stores, they always had different species together in rather small tanks. They looked miserable being in such a small environment but when i went i never saw any aggression between the species which was odd..

 

[Motherlode Chameleon]

This is not from personal experience, but from what i have read from great sources.

Calyptratus are usually not a good option for any contact with other chameleons. However, some species MAY tolerate other chameleons, like Furcifer Pardalis, if they are the same sex, and also if they have different colors. For example, a Noby Be can tolelate a Diego Suarez easier than another Nosy Be (or any other blue Pardalis...). Then you can add an ambilobe, etc. I'm sure you get the point. I have seen huge setups with up to 10-12 males in the same area.

Also, i have read that Parsonii do great in small groups in huge free range, where they can isolate themselves or not, depending on their mood. They also tolerate to see other chameleons. However, always remember that Parsoniis are amongst the chameleons that are the hardest to notice any signs of stress.

For Trioceros, i haven't read much about them, so i'll let others speak for me!


Of course, what i just read is FAR FROM BEING UNIVERSAL. Every animal is different, even if they have common aspects. So grouping chameleons in the same setup or just allowing them to see each other is something to do with great care, and you must be prepared to isolate them at any time, even a year or 3 years later.

I think he means keeping separate species together not colonies of the same species of chameleons.

 

[pssh]

My veiled hates my panther, my panther doesn't care about my veiled, my panther hates my guinea pigs. I have also seen a Jackson fire up at a female panther, and a huge mellers fire up at a female panther. The mellers would have taken a chunk out of the female, my veiled might have seriously injured my panther, and my panther would have bitten my long haired guinea pigs hairless if he could.

 

[sandrachameleon]

Two of my male panthers "hate" my White's Frogs. The other two male panthers dont give a rats bottom about the frogs. One of my male panthers strangly doesnt display or show any recognition of other male panthers, but makes it quite clear that a visiting vieled I was babysitting was considered bad news (he's also one of the ones who hates the frogs). One of my females hates everything, living or inanimate, unless she's eating it. Another female only dislikes the previously mentioned hateful female, but is not normally bothered by seeing even the male panthers so long as they're not too close to her.

Basically, my point is that they are all individuals. Generally speaking, I'd keep sight lines free of anything alive or moving. Even if they dont clearly demonstrate stress, they still may be "feeling" it.