mountain chameleon? live young?

[foxymiche]

hi all, just been watching a programme called Zoo Story and they had some mountains chameleons that had just given birth to live young!!
does anyone have any links to info about them or even keep them?
how is it some can give birth to live young and others lay eggs? confuzled! lol

 

[Gaerei]

OT a bit, but I once saw a snake who met its fate under a car tire. Somehow when in got hit it squeezed all its inards out its rear I guess, but to my suprise it also squeezed out a handful of babies. Some didnt even make it all the way out, which is what led me to believe, they were born, or going to be born live. I dont know much about snakes, thats my brothers area of expertise. He was with me when I saw this. But I thought snakes always layed eggs. Like I said I no nothing about them, so years of wondering could be put to rest in an upcoming post.

 

[WelshOneEmma]

From my basic understanding (and it is basic), there are some species of snake such as Anacondas(?) who give birth to live young, and will go into rivers to do so, to be a bit more protected. I also understand that some chameleons have live young, because you have to separate them soon after or they can eat their young (is this right?). I think this is one of the joys of nature, every species has many tricks!

 

[Trace]

I work almost exclusively with live bearing (ovoviviparous) chameleons. There are actually quite a number of species that do so; some of which are commonly seen in captivity. For instance, all of the Jackson's species are live bearers. For the most part, although there are exceptions to the rule, these species come from higher altitudes and/or colder areas where the choices for the deposition of eggs might not be optimal. By giving live birth, the mother is able to give her embryos the proper 'incubation' temperatures by basking etc whereas the ground might not ever get warm enough to promote the proper growth of the offspring within the egg. Also because of the cooler temperatures and seasonal fluctuations, many of these montane chameleons only breed once a year unlike their egg laying brethren.

I've never seen a female eat her young. I suppose it's possible. I do recommend removing the offspring when the female is done the birthing process but it doesn't need to be done as it's happening.

Cheers,
t

 

[Kent67]

Also, when it comes to snakes all boas (anacondas, sand boas, boa constrictors, etc) and vipers (rattlesnakes, etc) give birth to live young the same way ovoviviparous chameleons do it.

 

[Gaerei]

Very interesting about the jacksons. I had no idea. Then again if I were into breeding and raisig babies, I may have known

As for the snake. It's possible it was in the viper category. My brother had a picture of it for the longest time, but it would take me weeks before I could even find him anymore. He only comes around for holidays now, we even live in the same town. Anyways... the snake was in ct, I remeber it being massive for the area, I was only ever used to garders and small black snakes.

 

[yoza717]

Very interesting about the jacksons. I had no idea. I was only ever used to garders and small black snakes.

Garter snakes are also live bearers (ovoviviparous).

 

[Syn]

Woah woah, Jacksons are ovoviviparous? I honestly had no idea.. I always thought all chameleons laid eggs. Man, if I ever decide to breed anything it'd have to be a Jacksons, I'm bad with eggs.

 

[Trace]

Actually Syn, most ovoviviparous chameleons are much harder to breed and rear than most lowland egg laying species.

Trace

 

[Debmonster]

My Jackson's seem to do the breeding thing okay...it's the rearing the babies thing that is precarious. They seem to be more fragile than ones that have to push their way out of eggs. I think once you dial in their needs...that's when it's really fun

 

[ciafardo 4]

Also, when it comes to snakes all boas (anacondas, sand boas, boa constrictors, etc) and vipers (rattlesnakes, etc) give birth to live young the same way ovoviviparous chameleons do it.

so do garters gertrude!!

 

[Syn]

Well in that case I doubt I'll ever breed. Can't stand the waiting, I'd keep messing with the eggs!