It's so impossible...

[katrina]

...to find any quality, detailed information about Senegal Chams. As a whole, the most common thing I find is that Senegals are very difficult to keep!

I've had mine since January and aside from an anorexia scare the first few months, she's perfect! Most recently, every time I open her terrarium, she climbs up a nearby branch and reaches out towards me. I'll put my hand in front of her and up my arm she goes. She likes to sit on my arm just below my shoulder and [I assume because of the heat my head produces] in my hair.

Now here's what I'm looking for.... I'm really worried that I have the sex completely wrong. I know that the tale base is supposedly thicker in males, but I have nothing to compare to. I can't find pictures to save my life to help me out... so maybe you experts can.

 

[Trace]

That’s definitely a male! Could you post a pic of his head – it looks like he has occipital lobes which would make it a Flapneck or Graceful Chameleon - both similar species to the Senegals.

The reason Senegals are hard to keep is that they are all wild caught specimens and they have a hard time acclimating into a captive lifestyle but you’ve obviously done a great job with this one. Very nice! I didn’t keep my Senegals too much differently than a Veiled except for having higher humidity. They do like to drink so offer plenty water on a daily basis. I did find that they can be somewhat picky eaters but they certainly could not resist any kind of green bugs or flies. At least initially; once in captivity for a while they learned to love the more commonly kept captive feeder insects. The Senegals I’ve always kept were quite shy but not skittish and mean and were tolerant of my daily chores in an around their cage.

 

[ChameleonsInMyHouse]

what trace said. from all ive read on here, and seen in the past. senegal chameleons have very similar husbandry to veiled chameleons but do like to drink more and like higher humidities.

here is a short video from a member here in the forums. not sure who but it is an older video. i would trust her though http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYVlhLylpfU

 

[katrina]

Gosh. That's almost upsetting. Not that I love my cham less now... but it's just recently that this lump in *his* tale appeared.... And the breeders that I got it from told me that it was captive bred and was about 6 months old when I got *him* at Ripticon. [odd to find Senegals that are captive bred.... I hear...] I feel so lied to... [yes, I realize the sex is me lying to myself.]

I've also visited this site in the past http://www.chameleonnews.com/08FebFrancis.html
and *he* seems to have the same patterns listed...


Anywho... more pictures below.

 

[felix]

I had a senegal for 4 years and was the nicest reptile i ever had. Unfortunatly i kept him in a glass terrarium with a screed lid! Anywho, he was the best and friendliest pet i have ever had. GOOD LUCK!

 

[Ace]

Gosh. That's almost upsetting. Not that I love my cham less now... but it's just recently that this lump in *his* tale appeared.... And the breeders that I got it from told me that it was captive bred and was about 6 months old when I got *him* at Ripticon. [odd to find Senegals that are captive bred.... I hear...] I feel so lied to... [yes, I realize the sex is me lying to myself.]

I've also visited this site in the past http://www.chameleonnews.com/08FebFrancis.html
and *he* seems to have the same patterns listed...


Anywho... more pictures below.

well he looks lik in great condition which is oddlyt enough unusualfor WC chams, usualy you see having thm have noticable scar and bruises,

the vendor might not have lied afterall but i can not say for sure

that is a great looking cham by the way

 

[katrina]

Thanks for all of the input and compliments! I absolutely love my chameleon. He's my first lizard and I was quite concerned when I started reading how hard it is to keep them and how they aren't for beginners. But I think he's a happy camper with me. He's scared of any other human. I introduced him to my boyfriend and his personality completely changed. And he hides from my mother when she tries to take care of him. But I agree, with me, he's the friendliest pet I've ever had.

Glad to know he's a boy. And six months later... I suppose it's officially time to figure out a name.