Sex Determination in Flap-Neck Chameleons (C. dilepis)

[Matt Kolmann]

I'm considering purchasing 2 C. dilepis in order to potentially (as in a year in the future) try to breed them. I've heard that there have been no successful breeding attempts thus far. Is this due to problems in sex determination or is it compounded by other difficulties as well, ie, babies difficult to feed, incubation temps unknown, etc. does anyone have any information? Even if I decide not to breed them, I still want one of the little buggers, they're absolutely adorable.

 

[Chris Anderson]

Hey Matt,

It isn't that there hasn't been any successful breeding attempts but more that because of their value, there is no one actively trying to breed them. They are frequently imported as gravid WC and these eggs are fairly easily hatched and the offspring raised. They aren't as easy to breed as veileds but they can be bred. Unfortunately, they are so commonly imported and so inexpensive, it isn't profitable to breed them so no one is really doing it.

Chris

 

[Matt Kolmann]

Thanks Chris! Sorry if I misquoted you there! Any way to tell apart the sexes when they're little?

 

[Chris Anderson]

Depends on the subspecies. Some have tarsal spurs like veileds and others don't. On complication with this species is that differentiating the different subspecies and species in this complex can be very difficult.

Chris