Ruwenzori Side Striped Chameleon-sexing?

[renton]

Hi all, new here, referred from RFUK.

A question please. I bought myself a Ruwenzori Side Striped Chameleon (chameleo Rudis?) that the guy said was poss gravid, i now think she is just a fatty-how can you tell for sure?
Now I'm not even sure she is a she. Can you tell the sex by looking at the spur on the foot like i did with my male veiled? If not, how do you sex.

Cheers all.

 

[BocaJan]

Posting a picture would give our more experienced breeders a chance to chime in with their evaluation.

 

[renton]

Here are some pics. Not the best cos i only got the camera on my phone. Had to get "her" out of her viv cos of the camera but she didn't change colour-this is her "at rest" colour.

Cheers for the help.

 

[Trace]

Hi Renton

Congratulations on your new chameleon! The rudis are one of my favourites. This particular species is considered a montane chameleon and thus like cooler temperatures (80F max in the basking spot) with a high humidity of at least 80%. I have not found the rudis to be fussy eaters and most insects are accepted daily.

As for sexing the rudis, the males do not have the telltale tarsal spur that other species like the calyptratus have. The males are easily sexed by the presence of a hemipenal bulge though. Basically they have a thicker tail base after the vent than the females. Unfortunately you've provided a top view of your chameleon and this bulge is more prominent from the side view. Could you provide a lateral shot? If I had to hazard a guess, I would say female because I'm not seeing a marked bigger area at the tail base.

I can't say with any certainty that she is gravid at this point. She is a little big about the middle, but not horribly so. She may be in the early stages of pregnancy though. The rudis can give birth (they don't lay eggs) to multiple litters a year. Gestation is, on average, 6 months. If she is gravid, be sure to provide her with access to UV light and good gutloaded insects. Don't overdo the feedings, the females of this species can get overweight easily and that creates health problems for them.

Good luck with your new critter and don't be shy about asking questions about them.
Cheers,
t

 

[moshi]

Ruwenzori Side Striped Chameleon

Hi
My 8 year old son bought one of these 11 months ago (Feb 2009) and was in a viv with another. We just bought Cami. Cami was fatish, and got fatter. July came and so did her (as it turned out) sproggies. Sadly they all died as we were on mininum home duty as my 8 year old was in hospital and the reptiles (including my other sons mountain horned dragons)were on timers....Cami continued to do well and we now knew she was a she! Seeing her everyday lots we hardly noticed any changes, but on reflexion she got gradually bigger and towards birthing she never perceptively changed colour, she was always her light bright green at rest colour... and last week my son said Mum, Cami has gone really thin.... On seeing her I realised she was as fat as a house earlier, but I hadnt really noticed the minutest of daily growth over the last 6 months.... and she was brown and stripped liked I hadnt seen for a long time... On closer inspection of her viv and an exclaimation or two, I found 5 babies, 2 weak, 2 touch n go and one strong. 2 others still in birthing sacks dead. Salvaged the 5 live, segregated into categories. Sadly the 2 weak died within a few hours, the 2 other lived overnight then died, and the strong one we named Moshi. Having researched on internet, we did it all (no work for 2 days, 24/7 care etc, but the mortality rate so high...) I feel we did well, Moshi survived over 48 hours and we cherished it. We didnt know how to raise/care for baby chameleons, and we didnt get Cami mated. She came pregnated, and it seems they can harbour their young within until conditions are ideal.... Its possible she may have more in another 6 months... Internet says these chameleons have live babies not eggs... they are in what I can best describe as egg sacks, so kinda both... they are live in the sense they are ready to go once out of the their birthing sack/egg n get nutrician from it to last a few fair hours. They should feed themselves from then on, but we dont have their natural environment and foods, and stimulating it is hard if you are not well prepared and of some experience. The most beautiful little creature, miss little Moshi already x I'd say, although inexperienced compared to Trace, that yours looks very like Cami did for at least 2 months before she delivered this week!! Good luck! Hope it goes ok.

 

[moshi]

Moshi baby and mum Cami x

 

[lisa h]

How long can they retain sperm?

 

[OldSkoolxReasons]

Generally if a chameleon is retaining sperm they will keep producing eggs/ live young until they are out. Usually just 1 bred clutch and 1 retained clutch for panther chams and veileds. I personally do not know if rudis retain sperm or not as they are carrying young for many months. someone on here will be able to give you the answer. I am actually getting an unrelated, CB pair of red rudis from a europen line this march from a forum member who has a shipment of chameleons coming in and I cannot be more elated. They are so amazing. I loved keeping jackson's when I lived in hawaii. The live birthing is truly extraordinary. I now have a 10ftx10ft with a built in cool air humidifier and thermostat all ready for when my new rudis come. Good luck with your rudis, I hope they do well for you



justin