Reptile Books and hybrid Madagascar chameleons

[Kent67]

I briefly spoke to a guy who has 4+ month old eggs from a Chamaeleo gracilis male that bred with a female Ch. calyptratus at the last Pomona Super Show. He showed me pictures of the mating and the eggs. I made him promise me to let me know how it turned out. Hopefully he does.

I just received photos of the first hatchling from this interesting pairing! Will see if I can get more details....

 

[Motherlode Chameleon]

Awesome keep us posted!

 

[Motherlode Chameleon]

Sam Hybrid Furcifer pardalis : oustaleti neonates settle the debate if these two species can produce hybrid babies. It was great to have a first hand look at them about 10 days ago. These babies seem to be thriving in captivity lets have a look at how they thrive over a longer period of time. If the neonates only live to 6/six months (such as the neonates Kent was mentioning) then pass away. That is going to be good incentive for breeders not to even attempt to breed hybrid from species that are known to be capable of hybridization. Just though for food.

Best Regards
Jeremy A. Rich

 

[Chris Anderson]

Interestingly there has also been some support in recent years to the idea that Furcifer belalandaensis may be a hybrid as well (http://www.darwininitiative.org.uk/documents/17010/23079/17-010 FR Edited.pdf). Although the jury is still out on this until the data is published and vetted, it has interesting implications on some of these rare species that are only known from a couple specimens. On the other side of the coin, however, you also have examples like Trioceros pfefferi that were once similarly only known from an isolated specimen and was speculated to be a hybrid between two better known species (T. montium and T. quadricornis) until more was learned about its distribution. Always things to learn about these animals.

Chris

 

[Motherlode Chameleon]

Interestingly there has also been some support in recent years to the idea that Furcifer belalandaensis may be a hybrid as well (http://www.darwininitiative.org.uk/documents/17010/23079/17-010 FR Edited.pdf). Although the jury is still out on this until the data is published and vetted, it has interesting implications on some of these rare species that are only known from a couple specimens. On the other side of the coin, however, you also have examples like Trioceros pfefferi that were once similarly only known from an isolated specimen and was speculated to be a hybrid between two better known species (T. montium and T. quadricornis) until more was learned about its distribution. Always things to learn about these animals.

I think it is going to be interesting having a look at what other hybrid chameleons the Chameleon Forums produces. Captivity is more ideal conditions for a hybrid to hatch from an egg and reach adulthood compared to wild conditions. Just something to look forward too.

Best Regards
Jeremy A. Rich