Pygmy Chameleon Breeding

[AlyssaJahnke]

Just looking for some information and opinions on breeding pygmy chameleons. I have experience on many types of reptiles and amphibians but not anything to do with breeding. Just looking for insight on how to set up a breeders cage, differences in the breeding of different pygmy species, other peoples experience , pretty much anything. Im looking to get a male and two females and if possible being able to house different species in a very large cage if it is possible and wont stress them out to much.

Thanks!
Alyssa

 

[myst]

I keep the Rieppeleon brevicaudatus species. I typically house one male to two or three females in a large enclosure. They breed very easily, and the eggs can be incubated at a comfortable room temperature in perlite for 2-3 months.

With that said, I believe overbreeding can be an issue with the females. We keep a second "recovery" enclosure for the females that just laid eggs. I do not give complete doses of calcium (and more sparingly those that contain vitamin D) on their feeder insects because of the pygmy size (but feeders are gut loaded). In my opinion, it is best to let the female have a few weeks "off" after eggs and replenish her nutrient supply (and lower stress) before allowing her to be bred again.

They are a fragile species, stressed easy. Housing 2 different species together could be a disaster. I highly recommend picking a species and celebrating the day your first egg hatches!

 

[kdc5019]

Just looking for some information and opinions on breeding pygmy chameleons. I have experience on many types of reptiles and amphibians but not anything to do with breeding. Just looking for insight on how to set up a breeders cage, differences in the breeding of different pygmy species, other peoples experience , pretty much anything. Im looking to get a male and two females and if possible being able to house different species in a very large cage if it is possible and wont stress them out to much.

Thanks!
Alyssa

Alyssa,

First off welcome to the forums. Pygmy Chameleons are one of the best species to work with in my opinion. I absolutely love them. I work with R. Brevicaudtus ad R. Acuminatus. Which species are you looking to get? Care and housing can differ from species to species.

As myst said, I would not house different species of pygmys together. Keep it simple. If you want two different species get a seperate vivarium.

As far as breeding goes, its what those little guys to. The live to breed. 1.2 is a good ratio to have as long as your vivarium is large enough (recommendation is 5Gallons of space per pygmy) and heavily planted.

Be sure to provide adequate lighting for the chameleon and for the plants. I recommend the LED UVB combo light. Double fixture also work great, just be sure to lift them off the top of the screen as the UVB can be too intense for these guys.

If you have anymore question please feel free to shoot me a PM, Also if your looking for some CB I have a few that will be available shortly.

 

[junglefries]

From everything I have heard or read, both previous users gave you solid advice. Easy to breed. Born to breed. Fragile. Docile. Just a pleasure from what I gather. If I had the room or the time.

 

[Cmepygmys]

Where would you recommend getting pygmys from I'm wanting to keep them but I bought some from backwater reptiles and none of them were strong and only one survived but I'd like to get some more. I've a large thirty five gallon vivarium.

 

[JacksonsKeeper90]

Can you post a pic of your set up?

 

[Cmepygmys]

I hope this works I tried to post a picture hope it shows up and sorry for the blurry quality