need advice

[jodischams]

Hi Everyone. I have a quick question that may seem kind of lame but I realy just want to know. I have a pair of Jacksons that I've only owned for a few months. I have no idea of their age at all. My male all day off and on has been getting on top of the female. Do you think they might be breeding? I don't know what they are doing and never saw reptiles do this before so sorry if i sound stupid. He gets on her back for awhile then gets off and then does it again. Any suggestions appriciated.
Jodi

 

[SRTtoZ]

Wait? are you keeping them in the same cage all the time???

You do know chameleons (jackson/veiled/panther) Are supposed to be kept seperate UNLESS breeding, but after breeding occurs seperate again?

Chameleons are a solitary species.

 

[hallenhe]

It's likely that they're breeding, or at least he's trying to. The first thing to do is separate them; most chameleons are not particularly social, and being a constant center of the male's attention is probably stressful for the female. Females will display different colors if they're receptive to a male's advances, or not receptive, or gravid (have already been mated successfully); use the search function and see if you can find any pictures of the different colors to compare your female with, or post her picture for the opinions of other Jackson's owners. But if they're adult animals, they will both want their own living quarters.

 

[jodischams]

Yes they have been together since owning them but I am awaiting 2 large enclosures for each one of them. They have already been shipped but in the mean time, I have to keep em together. I will definatly compare some pics because her colors is so much different then his. I am going to assume thats what they were up to because I don't think the female would let him near her like that otherwise right? I honestly don't have an age for them. The person I got them from is a breeder and gave no instructions for them and no age so I just have no idea. They still to me seem too little to be doing that but what do I know. I have been so wrong on so many things that I have had to completly turn around due to lack of correct knowledge. This has been such a learning experience.
Thank you for your time,
Jodi

 

[xanthoman]

some compatible m/f pairs of xantholophus can be sucessfuly kept together long term but it is recomended mostly for advanced keepers, and a constant eye needs to be kept for problems, obviously your female cham is encountering some, so seperation is advised. she is obviously experiencing stress from her housing situation and failure to act on that will most likely lead to a down turn in her condition . by the time physical symptoms begin to show , it may be hard to reverse, so i would seperate asap

 

[jodischams]

Thank you for the info. Still waiting on their enclosures and should be in soon. They were shipped on the 26th. They will both have new homes so looking forward to it. Seems like it is taking forever!