Questions about Four-Horned/Quads

[CamiGirl89]

I've been doing some research on Quads lately (yes, another species I want to someday add to my collection), and had just a couple of questions about them. I know with other chameleons, glass terrariums are not recommended due to their ability to withhold too much water, as well as the air-flow not being as suitable as that of a screened enclosure. However, would a Quad be able to live in a very large glass enclosure given that one side of the enclosure was screen? This would help meet their very high humidity need, but I just am naive to the species about whether or not this would be ok for them to live in. Can any Quad owners out there just give me some general info? Attitude, handle-ability, life-span, over-all recommendation on this species? Thank you!

 

[Motherlode Chameleon]

They are a great species to work with. Mine were quite active and reminded me of a montane Furcifer pardalis in regards to movement, feeding and attitude. However T. quadricornis require higher humidity and more drinking water though. Glass with some ventilation could work out great with this species as a terrarium could with glass sides could up the humidity. There are a lot of keepers using new Exo Terra's that sound similar to your terrarium who you may want to seek some feedback from. Just about a nickle or dimes worth for feed back.

 

[CamiGirl89]

Wonderful, thank you. I have seen some large exo terras lately that are mostly glass. They are very nice looking, but it is something that I would definitely not use on my veileds. They are an amazing looking species, but I hear that they are difficult to keep. However, with chameleons being my passion (as well as my turtles ^.^ ) I am sure that I could provide a proper home with enough research. Thank you, and anyone else is free to chime in! Research time!

 

[Motherlode Chameleon]

If you buy captive bred animals they can be extremely hardy chameleons.

 

[CamiGirl89]

If you buy captive bred animals they can be extremely hardy chameleons.

Do you have any recommended breeders that would be good to talk to?

 

[laurie]

I am very biased. I went from a lot of chams down to just wanting to keep two species. My first love is quads. I am totally and completely in love with them. They have a very mellow temperament, but some seem shy. I have a 13 month old female who is still less than happy with me picking her up for any reason. My male free ranges and will walk onto my hand when HE wants. He will also come running out of the trees when he sees me with his food. The boy loves to eat. I am trying to decide if I will stay with 2 or get another pair.

Most people would say not to put a quad in a terrarium, but I have my screen cages covered on 3 sides to keep the humidity in, so I don't see a great difference as long as the terrarium is large enough for the quad.

I have had chams as diverse as the usual veileds, panthers, jacksons, and a few less common, tavatanas, carpets, elliotti, senegals, deremensis, and a few I am sure I forgot to list. Now I plan to keep only my melleri and my quads. I have a panther who will be 8 years old this Sunday, so he will be here until he or I drop dead. I love him so much, it frightens me to think of his age.

My first quad, a female rescue, lived in a screen cage, in a shower stall, above a tub. She had very high humidity all time, it never went below 60%, and often was in the 90's. Part of this is she was wild caught had had been harshly handled. She started my quad love and watching her babies grow cemented it forever. (I did say I am a very tiny bit biased). If they are set up to meet basic needs, water, light, heat, food & humidity I find them fairly easy to keep.

I have no idea if I have answered your questions, but I am only a pm away. I have lots of quad info if you need it. Get a quad - you won't be sorry & if you are - send it to me.

 

[Motherlode Chameleon]

Do you have any recommended breeders that would be good to talk to?

I would check with members on these forums. There are a lot of keepers with Trioceros quadricornis.

 

[CamiGirl89]

Great, I appreciate the comments from both of you. Definitely will start looking into this, they really do look like tiny dinosaurs!

 

[ibdragons]

quads

Yes they are beautiful chams,they were my first chams n I hated to part with but I had them In a front glass side screened cage .they are a much cooler species.at night temp can go down to 55 even
50 f .day temps to late 70s early 80 s .they would eat crickets ,horned worms,,superworms ,Silkworms. For me a reptifogger was a must. When they needed the humidity to be higher I would put a towel around the back of the cage n it would bring it up just right. Good luck when u get them feel free to ask me about them i owned them for a year n they were always healthy.

 

[CamiGirl89]

I will be sure to do so, it can get pretty humid and muggy here in Indiana during the summers... It could be a very nice climate for one!

 

[Ferdy Timmerman]

I keep them in glass terrariums and they're doing great! They are big fans of water and humidity, so I would prefer to keep them in glass instead of screen cages. The glass keeps the humidity more constant.
But of course it depends a lot of the area you live in.

 

[laurie]

As hot as it get in Indiana, you will need a really good air conditioner.

 

[CamiGirl89]

Had a new air conditioner installed last summer, we are good to go!