Keeping Chameleons Together

[BHillendahl]

I read that veiled chameleons can't be kept together due to their high level of aggression. Is this true with all cases (multiple males, multiple females, male/female pair)? Are there species that CAN be kept together?

 

[SRTtoZ]

I'm pretty sure all chams are solitary their entire lives. So now...not unless mating occurs. Even when a female lays eggs in the wild, she leaves never to return.

 

[Julirs]

There are a few species that will cohabitiate-pygmies and Mellers being the ones you commonly hear about. I have a pair of Mellers that do not, since one is disturbed by the other. It is best left to experienced keepers so one knows what to look for as far as stress.

 

[Pure]

There are those who believe that Melleri actually benefit if not require group interaction.

In all honesty there are quit a few species that will cohabitiate, it just takes a little research to find them, most being smaller species. But even still cohabitation needs to be kept under constant scrutiny from the owner to ensure no one is being over stressed or deprived of food, basking, or drinking. It really is more work keeping them together than separate.

 

[Carlton]

In the most typical cage (around 2'x2'x4' screen) and a male/female or male/male pair, no. Pygmy leaf species can be kept in a pair or so in a large well planned out glass tank. Melleri can exist in small groups, but here we are talking about a very large free range habitat in a room or a greenhouse. Sometimes a group of same age 1 male to 2-3 females of the fischeri group do OK, but again it isn't something that is straightforward or always true. In the wild, chams certainly do run across each other or might share a large tree, but there is enough cover to give the option to get away from each other when one is intolerant. In captivity they have much less chance to avoid each other or even get out of sight of each other unless you have a very large free range area or a greenhouse.

 

[beeze]

Thread about this from awhile back
https://www.chameleonforums.com/sad-tale-2-chameleons-14453/

 

[Carlton]

I know its been said many times, but we have to be careful in case a newbie picks up what they WANT to hear...that their new chams can be housed together. Gee, no need to buy or build that second cage, lights, dripper, plants, and other stuff.

What really burns me is seeing those big vendor cham "special deal" ads for one cage, lights, etc, and a PAIR of chams. Shame on them.

 

[BHillendahl]

I'm just asking to make sure I don't jeopardize my animals. I know many reptiles benefit from social interaction, and the only books on chameleons I have only talk about veileds, panthers, jacksons, and parsons. If I still enjoy keeping my chameleon as much in a year as I do now, i'm bettin i'll end up with a bunch of em.