Ugh. Yet another Melleri....

[chams1]

I must be hanging around Kevin too long! Even though I have NO space and have a gazillion chams already, including a few Melleri, I just HAD to have this one. Here's hoping it's a boy....

Meet "Magna Cham"!!

Magna Cham still has quite a bit of growing to do. He (I will say "he" even though I don't know for sure) is settling in very nicely and is eating quite well. He hasn't yet seen our other Melleri, but seeing how he has been with us, I have no doubt that he will take to the rest of the clan just fine. I haven't had a chance to weigh him yet and the once-over showed no skin damage, bruising or other marks like most of them have and he is sporting a full horn! Here's a picture of him his second night at home up in the free range:

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Here are a couple of pics of our other Melleri:
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[Miss Lily]

What a gorgeous cham! No wonder you just 'had' to add another! I think most of us would have trouble saying no to a Melleri!

 

[hallenhe]

Ugh. More Melleri, what a drag... Guess you'll just have to send one or two my way (Lansing's only about four hours from Chicago; you could buy it an Amtrak ticket and I'll meet it at the station).
Congrats! Hope he fits in well to your big, happy Melleri family.

 

[Courtney]

Melleri are to to resist.....but worth it....I really miss my Tika but know shes enjoying her green house!!!!!

 

[lisa h]

Those chams seem to be addictive! I'm glad I don't have the space -- too many critters already.

 

[jessica]

What a beautiful new edition! Congratulations!

 

[summoner12]

Based on the first pic..... I am calling it; Boy.

 

[PardalisGirl]

What a hunk!

I think Kevin is right. The other one looks soooooooooo female. Congrats on the hunk. I can see why you could not resist him. I'm sure your girl will feel the same! He looks really filled out too. A great find

 

[chams1]

Those chams seem to be addictive! I'm glad I don't have the space -- too many critters already.

You don't have to have available space for these guys. You CREATE it! ha ha ha

So, Kevin and Catherine: What makes you both think it is a boy? Just curious. I think it might be a boy, too, but I have been wrong before. I guess I will see when I introduce them later.... here's hoping. Since Newbie has laid those 2 clutches of eggs with no problems, I totally have to get her a boy toy.

 

[BullyChams]

Thats a big boy!!!

 

[chams1]

Thats a big boy!!!

Actually, this "boy" has a lot of catching up to do if he's going to be as big as the girls. Both of my confirmed girls are at 525+ grams each (without eggs). In my experience, the females have been bigger than the males.

Care to "weigh" in on this issue, Sandy? I'm surious to know your thoughts on this new guy (boy vs. girl). I will try to get some better pictures of him this weekend.

 

[AJA]

ha ha ha ha haaaaaa haaaa .. I am SO biting my tongue on this one..no really I am. Congratuations.

 

[PardalisGirl]

Shape....

It's hard to explain about the shape. To me, females have a longer body that looks more lateral. Sandy's Megana was that way and my Layla was too. After I lost her my vet confirmed that she was a she and was just becoming sexually mature (such a bummer to lose her!). Males seem to have more of a rounded look to their spine when sitting. Shorter appearing with more overall height. Sandy's Hercules looked like this. I also think that females may have more space between their hip bones than males when fully mature. I could totally be wrong about your new Melleri, it just has that "look" to me. I look at my group all the time. I'm now thinking my formerly little "Squirt" is a male. And I'm thinking my "Knopfler" may be a female. There may be a name change soon. I'm convinced my "Lola" is a female. She totally has the long body look. "Lola" should have been the name for the one I call "Knopfler". He could have kept the name "Lola" (Think the Kinks song "Lola")

 

[summoner12]

I am calling your new guy a boy due to colors... Only Henry and Sam ever have white spots.... Lenny a confirmed female, doesn't show white spots. I don't think she ever has. Where as Henry will look just like your new guy, on a regular basis. Your guy looks kinda stressed... and that is what Henry looks like when mildly stressed... black with white and darker color overall.

Here is henry in a very very mildly stressed state. He has just a hint of black spots... and it is mostly because I am poking a camera in his face.

Here he is in a fairly stressed state. He is in Lenny's old free range, with her. He is VERY shy and gets upset around other chams.... even baby chams.

Again... pretty stressed... he doesn't like to be weighed... he gets embarrassed.

 

[PardalisGirl]

What about Layla?

Summoner12.....can you look at the pictures of Layla that I posted with one of my blogs on her below?

https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/pardalisgirl/118-laylas-blog.html

She appears to have white spots. These pictures show her out in the sun when she was light colored. She also got them when she was pissed at me. The vet confirmed that she was a female who was ready to start egg production. Not trying to rain on your theory, just wondering if the spots are the same. My looking at body shape, etc. has absolutely no scientific basis. Just remembering Megana's shape and Laylas shape.

Has anyone tried DNA testing? Before I got my Blue Crown Conure I paid to get a DNA test because I wanted a male and the sexes are not physically distinguishable. You basically find out after they become sexually mature in several years like a Melleri. I forgot to ask my vet about DNA testing of the Melleri. The purchase of the conure got me to thinking about it.

 

[summoner12]

hmmm well I am always told colors won't tell ya sex...... but... i dunno I just have a gut feeling

Both Pat and Sam always hang like they are pals on one side of the free range.... They even sleep close to one another. You can see white on them both... Lenny gets the other half of the free range.. I don't know if Pat is male of female but I think Male.... not really sure, but he does have white? lol Pat is still young so his coloring is kinda all over still.

Lenny is always green and yellow.... unless upset.

Here is Lenny sleeping...

 

[Lizardboy76]

Nice pictures....Can't wait to get mine