Kinyongia Chameleon Question (w/ pics)

[starsnowxx]

Hey all, someone previously mentioned that my chameleon is a Kingyongia and that they are a montane species. Because I rescued him from a previous owner who neglected him, I didn't really have a proper set-up for him. As of now, he is placed in a plastic 45 gallon tank (top always left open, plus there's a fan as well... for better ventilation). I have the ReptiGlo UVB 5.0 and the ZooMed UVA Daylight Blue for lighting.

I'm buying a 24"Hx16"Lx12"W screen cage this weekend. Will that be too big for him?

How big do these guys get? Right now, he's only about 3 inches (without the tail)... so idk how old he is right now.

If there's anyone out there who's knowledgeable about this specific chameleon type, I would highly appreciate your feedback!

^--- First time I took him outside. He drank!

^--- First time I held him. Can tell he's kinda pissed ._.

^--- Took those just now. I didn't know he can turn that shade of yellow!

^--- Temporary enclosure.

 

[Cainschams]

He is a young Kinyongia multituberculata. You want to get him in a new cage ASAP. You might as well get a bigger size cage for him too. That size will be too small. Something that is at least 36 inches tall and good width. Here is an article you should read.

http://chameleonnews.com/05DecKroo.html

They like temperatures that are cool and humid. Temps in the 70s daytime with a basking spot of around 80 to 85. Night time temps should get down into lower 60s at least. Humidity around 70% daytime and higher at night should suffice.

They are a very cool species and your guy does not look bad AT ALL for a rescue! Nice find!

Also, fill this form out. I know your enclosure will be the same as the new one but it would be helpful to post what he already has and what you plan on housing him in. Plants, etc.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/

 

[Seeco]

I agree with above and add that you should find a maintenance free drainage system and get an automatic mister setup.

 

[CNorton]

I may be wrong here...I definitely would like to see a pic with "his" tail straight out. By looking at his rostrals...not sure about something.

By the by, I would say you've now got 3 of the most enthusiastic Kinyongia lovers in your thread!

 

[starsnowxx]

He is a young Kinyongia multituberculata. You want to get him in a new cage ASAP. You might as well get a bigger size cage for him too. That size will be too small. Something that is at least 36 inches tall and good width. Here is an article you should read.

http://chameleonnews.com/05DecKroo.html

They like temperatures that are cool and humid. Temps in the 70s daytime with a basking spot of around 80 to 85. Night time temps should get down into lower 60s at least. Humidity around 70% daytime and higher at night should suffice.

They are a very cool species and your guy does not look bad AT ALL for a rescue! Nice find!

Also, fill this form out. I know your enclosure will be the same as the new one but it would be helpful to post what he already has and what you plan on housing him in. Plants, etc.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/

Thanks for the feedback! That article helped a lot. I'm just going to house him in the screen cage that I'm going to buy bc I got a great deal on it. Plus, he's still so little! But don't worry, I'll definitely upgrade to a bigger cage as for the automatic mister, I don't think I afford that. But I do mist 3-4 times a day and I have a dripper made out of a plastic cup.

 

[starsnowxx]

I may be wrong here...I definitely would like to see a pic with "his" tail straight out. By looking at his rostrals...not sure about something.

By the by, I would say you've now got 3 of the most enthusiastic Kinyongia lovers in your thread!

What's wrong? Is there something odd with him... Or do u feel that my "he" is a "she"?

 

[Seeco]

Ooh that would be something if he was a female. Please do give us some more pics.

Did you get a screen cage yet?

Keep up the watering until it looks plumper.

 

[Seeco]

I would almost say you do not need a fan. Only use the fan to cool down the entire room -- do not aim it directly on the cage. If you do use one you will need to offer extra water.

You may not need a screen cage but it is ok if you did buy one. If you keep it in the glass cage just clean the poop frequently and do not let the cage stay soaking wet.

 

[starsnowxx]

As a matter of fact, I did buy a screen cage. I was going to buy the 16"Lx12"Wx24"H, but I might as well just buy the 18"x18"x36"H I also bought a Croton plant, but I'm not sure how to get rid of the pesticides... So help? I take him... or her (?)... Outside when the weather's nice and he seems so vibrant! I figured the fresh air did him good. I notice he drinks a lot when I mist in the morning. I have a plastic plant that comes with a suction cup that I placed in the shower yesterday. I let him be for about 10 min and I saw him drink... So thirst isn't a problem for him thank God. But now, you guys got me concerned... can my Egi really be a "she"? Bc I know females need special care or something. What kind of close-up do you need to determine her sex? Thanks.

 

[Cainschams]

As a matter of fact, I did buy a screen cage. I was going to buy the 16"Lx12"Wx24"H, but I might as well just buy the 18"x18"x36"H I also bought a Croton plant, but I'm not sure how to get rid of the pesticides... So help? I take him... or her (?)... Outside when the weather's nice and he seems so vibrant! I figured the fresh air did him good. I notice he drinks a lot when I mist in the morning. I have a plastic plant that comes with a suction cup that I placed in the shower yesterday. I let him be for about 10 min and I saw him drink... So thirst isn't a problem for him thank God. But now, you guys got me concerned... can my Egi really be a "she"? Bc I know females need special care or something. What kind of close-up do you need to determine her sex? Thanks.

Glad you decided on the bigger cage. They definitely need one at least 36 inches tall. They are a medium sized chameleon but most importantly they need room because they are very active!!

For the plant just pull it out of the pot, use soapy water to rinse off the roots, stems and leaves, rinse that super well and repot. You can use your same soil or all new. When I use the same soil I put a few inches of sand or organic soil to cover the stuff that may have fertilizer or styrofoam balls in it.

K. multituberculata are known to be heavy drinkers As seeco said, keep the water and food intake up for a while until it plumps up a bit. It does seem in some of the pics its cheeks are a little indented.

We need a side profile picture of the tail base. Get one when it is holding its tail straight out or at least halfway out.

 

[starsnowxx]

Gender Problem T_T

Glad you decided on the bigger cage. They definitely need one at least 36 inches tall. They are a medium sized chameleon but most importantly they need room because they are very active!!

For the plant just pull it out of the pot, use soapy water to rinse off the roots, stems and leaves, rinse that super well and repot. You can use your same soil or all new. When I use the same soil I put a few inches of sand or organic soil to cover the stuff that may have fertilizer or styrofoam balls in it.

K. multituberculata are known to be heavy drinkers As seeco said, keep the water and food intake up for a while until it plumps up a bit. It does seem in some of the pics its cheeks are a little indented.

We need a side profile picture of the tail base. Get one when it is holding its tail straight out or at least halfway out.

Okay, I managed to take him ( ) out of his cage today. Poor thing couldn't stay still! And he's pretty fast... for a chameleon, I guess. I eventually had my dad help me out. Wasn't sure what type of pics you wanted so I took several...

 

[Cainschams]

I am going with female. You can see the tail base of a male I had in this thread. Not the best view but you can tell its noticeably larger.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/cmon-dude-something-pain-34088/

Hopefully seeco will give you some tips on noticing a gravid female because I do not have any experience with a gravid multituberculata. Coloration etc. Like most females though she will get very plump and toward the end get restless and possibly hang out at the bottom when she is wanting to lay. If you keep live plants or a laying bin in there she may or may not let you know if she is ready to dig by digging test holes or just scratching around on the surface. If she does not lay in one of the pots or bins transfer her to a larger container. A plastic trash can ( I know, plastic/can) filled 12 inches up with soil, sand or a mix with nothing else in there is what I use for stubborn females who will not lay in the cage. Use a very low wattage basking light or a UVB strip over the trash can for light.

 

[Seeco]

Croton plant is apparently poisonous. It is fine for your house though if you don't have any cats, dogs or babies over

I recommend a pothos or ficus. If the ficus is too big just chop it until it fits. Someone here can probably advise you on suspending a pothos in a screen cage.

I'm not gonna guess the sex until this animal's weight gets back up:

By the horns it is male.

By the head crest it is female.

By the tail base it is female.

By the swollen belly in the photos taken from underneath it is either a gravid female or just puffed up and angry.

Dehydrated males may not have a full tail base so lets wait and see.

Feed the crickets some moist veggies and fruit but not broccoli or spinach. Let them eat it overnight. Then feed your chameleon as many of these crickets as it will possibly eat.

Your pics were great for the tail base. Please post some more photos taken from directly above the back so we can see if the chameleon's sides are bulging out (eggs).

 

[Julirs]

Coloring says male to me, but that tailbase is questionable. I agree-could be dehydration. My female never had that "striping" like my males, and when gravid was gold and speckly.

 

[Cainschams]

Its definitely a tough call and I know I said young male in my first post However, like the E-Zine link says, females can have semi formed rostrals which can make it difficult to tell from a young male. It also says the tail base is the best way to tell, like a lot of species. My female definitely had some nice coloring and patterns even for a young one. THe last animal on the link I provided earlier is a nice example of one with semi formed rostrals and nice patterns and color. I think even after your animal gets rehydrated and plumped up a bit the tail base will still be noticeably smaller than a males.

My guess is still female and I would almost put money on it. Almost!!!

I miss my pair. They are such an awesome species.

Just a few pics

 

[Seeco]

Hijack time. This is a female so the chameleon in question could go either way (no pun intended)

 

[Julirs]

Wow, I guess my female just looked, well, very different from my males.

 

[Elizadolots]

starsnowxx, hey, I just wanted to say those are great pictures! You should check out the photography forum and post pictures/enter contests!

 

[starsnowxx]

Croton plant is apparently poisonous. It is fine for your house though if you don't have any cats, dogs or babies over

I recommend a pothos or ficus. If the ficus is too big just chop it until it fits. Someone here can probably advise you on suspending a pothos in a screen cage.

I'm not gonna guess the sex until this animal's weight gets back up:

By the horns it is male.

By the head crest it is female.

By the tail base it is female.

By the swollen belly in the photos taken from underneath it is either a gravid female or just puffed up and angry.

Dehydrated males may not have a full tail base so lets wait and see.

Feed the crickets some moist veggies and fruit but not broccoli or spinach. Let them eat it overnight. Then feed your chameleon as many of these crickets as it will possibly eat.

Your pics were great for the tail base. Please post some more photos taken from directly above the back so we can see if the chameleon's sides are bulging out (eggs).

Croton Plants aren't suitable for chameleons?? I think I remember seeing some cages filled with them. I guess I'll just take it out and leave my Pothos.

And yeah, poor baby seems malnourished. I notice that Egi devours the crickets like crazy whenever I put them in every morning. However, I can’t seem to get her to eat the superworms! I put around 6-8 crickets in the morning and about 3-4 more in the afternoon. Is that too much? I also managed to get the RepCal without D3

In the pictures, she was puffed up and angry. She held a defensive pose with one arm up and mouth was open from time to time. That was the first time I saw her open her mouth like that too. I was fussing her too much trying to get a good picture. Poor thing!

I’ve been feeding the crickets with kale and pears. I heard oranges are good so must get some!!!

 

[starsnowxx]

Its definitely a tough call and I know I said young male in my first post However, like the E-Zine link says, females can have semi formed rostrals which can make it difficult to tell from a young male. It also says the tail base is the best way to tell, like a lot of species. My female definitely had some nice coloring and patterns even for a young one. THe last animal on the link I provided earlier is a nice example of one with semi formed rostrals and nice patterns and color. I think even after your animal gets rehydrated and plumped up a bit the tail base will still be noticeably smaller than a males.

My guess is still female and I would almost put money on it. Almost!!!

I miss my pair. They are such an awesome species.

^--Well, I guess we'll just have to see? Do I have to put the pot of soil now or is she still too young (assuming Egi is a girl ) Your pair looks so stunning! Egi is so bland-looking but she's growing on me <3

Wow, I guess my female just looked, well, very different from my males.

^--Lol, I wanna see heeerrr

starsnowxx, hey, I just wanted to say those are great pictures! You should check out the photography forum and post pictures/enter contests!

^--How?