Hi- I'm new to this forum, and just order a pair of pygmy Kenyan chameleons. Does anyone have them, or has had them in the past and can share pointers on raising them. I have researched these chameleons on the internet and read numerous care sheets. I am interested in personal experience. Thanks
kenyan pygmy chameleon
- Thread starter jan65
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laurie
Retired Moderator
I just received a pair of R. acuminatus, imported from Kenya. I don't know how much I can tell you as I have not had mine long.
Things I can tell you are they are the most active pygmy I have ever seen. They rarely stay on the bottom. Mine are up on branches and have gone to the top of the terrariums and hung off the screen. I have only seen the female eat, and that was just once. I feed them ff's, tiny phoenix worms, tiny silk worms, and have a few others I am yet to try. I keep them close to 70f and humidity drops to 40 and spikes to 80. They each have a uvb and a 25 watt light.
Let me know if you have questions and I will try to answer.
Things I can tell you are they are the most active pygmy I have ever seen. They rarely stay on the bottom. Mine are up on branches and have gone to the top of the terrariums and hung off the screen. I have only seen the female eat, and that was just once. I feed them ff's, tiny phoenix worms, tiny silk worms, and have a few others I am yet to try. I keep them close to 70f and humidity drops to 40 and spikes to 80. They each have a uvb and a 25 watt light.
Let me know if you have questions and I will try to answer.
laurie- Interesting info. From what I read they pretty much stay on the bottom. I do have a variety of plants and branches, so I'll be curious to note the pattern. In terms of food, I have small crickets, fruit flies and springtails on hand. I was told they eat small crickets. Laurie- How large are yours? What is the humidity in your environment?
Trace
Captain Awesome
LLL? I was sent a photo of what they are describing and selling as Rieppeleon kerstenii but it certainly wasn't that. The photo is pretty blurry but I'd hazard a guess they are either Rhampholeon nchisiensis or Rhampholeon uluguruensis.
Once they arrive post some clear pictures of your pair and someone here can identify them properly.
Here are some articles to help you get started:
http://chameleonnews.com/07FebHildenhagen.html
http://chameleonnews.com/05DecRouthouska.html
http://chameleonnews.com/05JunRouthouska.html
OT: If I had a dollar for every time I saw a brevicaudatus labelled as a kersenii or worse yet a Brookesia minima...
Once they arrive post some clear pictures of your pair and someone here can identify them properly.
Here are some articles to help you get started:
http://chameleonnews.com/07FebHildenhagen.html
http://chameleonnews.com/05DecRouthouska.html
http://chameleonnews.com/05JunRouthouska.html
OT: If I had a dollar for every time I saw a brevicaudatus labelled as a kersenii or worse yet a Brookesia minima...
Yes Trace, it is LLLR. I have always been pleased with my purchases from them(this would be disappointing to me). I didn't ask for a pic. Can you post the pic they sent you? I realize that kerstenii are rare and no pic was listed on the website. The 2 species you mention, do you know anything about them? When I receive them I will post a pic. Thanks
Yeah I would expect lll to have them but u never know they could be wrong and here r my pics I got kinda blurry tho ... http://s1265.photobucket.com/user/Mikael_m29/library/?sort=3&page=1
Trace
Captain Awesome
I got the same photos as Mikael. That’s why I say I’m only guessing but I have seen quite a number of both the nchisiensis and uluguruensis at shows and in pet stores the last few months. I haven’t seen either in many years.
I'm currently working with the Rhampholeon nchisiensis but have worked with brevicaudatus, temporalis, nchisiensis, uluguruensis (plus a few other pygmy species that escape me at the moment) in the past.
The species I mentioned are a little difficult mostly because they are imports and don't do well acclimating to captivity. If you get decent stock though, you have a chance. Don’t get them too warm. I found they bury themselves in the substrate if they do. I don’t find them to use much of the vertical space, unlike say the brevicaudatus, but definitely offer it. They aren’t fussy eaters so offer small bugs daily. I always put a slice of banana (skin on) in the terrarium and let it rot a bit. It attracted fruit flies and made a mini feeding station as the crickets were attracted to the fruit.
I'm currently working with the Rhampholeon nchisiensis but have worked with brevicaudatus, temporalis, nchisiensis, uluguruensis (plus a few other pygmy species that escape me at the moment) in the past.
The species I mentioned are a little difficult mostly because they are imports and don't do well acclimating to captivity. If you get decent stock though, you have a chance. Don’t get them too warm. I found they bury themselves in the substrate if they do. I don’t find them to use much of the vertical space, unlike say the brevicaudatus, but definitely offer it. They aren’t fussy eaters so offer small bugs daily. I always put a slice of banana (skin on) in the terrarium and let it rot a bit. It attracted fruit flies and made a mini feeding station as the crickets were attracted to the fruit.
laurie
Retired Moderator
I think it has a lot to do with the kind of cham, not just the fact that it is from Kenya. What you are looking at are completely different from what I have.
Chris Anderson
Dr. House of Chameleons
For what its worth, Rhampholeon acuminatus is a Tanzanian endemic and does not occur in Kenya. The R. acuminatus and R. viridis that came in on the shipment you got yours from were Tanzanian imports into the EU and were sent to the US along with other species that came from Kenya, but are not themselves from Kenya.
Also, the care of Rhampholeon acuminatus is very different from that of Rieppeleon kerstenii. I agree that in all likelihood, that is not what these are, but wanted to mention that just in case!
Chris
Chase
Chameleon Enthusiast
I was curious if this was actually Rieppeleon kerstenii so I asked for a picture and this is what I got, I am not sure what is is, so maybe you can help Chris. I just know it's not R. kerstenii
Chase
Attachments
Chase
Chameleon Enthusiast
I wish they'd take another picture though. But I wonder if they are all like that or if they're just mixed in together?
Chase
kdc5019
New Member
That picture does not look like a kerstenii to me. Unless your paying a pretty penny for them. I highly highly doubt they are if you paid a typical pygmy price.
Here is a link of what an actual kerstenii looks like.
http://www.stickytonguefarms.com/in...ategory_id=15&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=82
The photo you provided looks like a temporalis to me. However I would confirm with Chris.
