When does the male veil become prominent?

[ASublimeDay]

I have a male and female together in a large hanging screen enclosure. They're 3 months old, but the plan is to give the male to my dad in two weeks (he loves chameleons, but we couldn't afford pet store prices, so I raised a baby for two months and "Bowser" will be his B-day present).

Problem: I'm having trouble telling them apart! At first the male was bigger, but her appetite has caught up and they look just about identical. When will the male's veil become prominent enough to really tell a difference?

 

[carol5208]

you can tell by looking at the back of their back heels. The males hve little points or spurs as they are called and the female does not. This is the best way to tell the sexes apart when young.

 

[PREACHAP]

you can tell by looking at the back of their back heels. The males hve little points or spurs as they are called and the female does not. This is the best way to tell the sexes apart when young.

#addsnothing - AGREED

 

[jannb]

As far as their size if kept together one will become dominate and eat more of the feeders, take more of the lights and so on. I hope it's your dads bday soon.

 

[ASublimeDay]

I was told they're fine to be housed together up to 5 months. The cage is huge and they don't pay each other any mind. They're given about 16 crickets a day and they eat an equal amount. The basking light is 100w (safe distance from the cage) and the UVB is 10.0 (the screen is black and thick, 5.0 wouldn't have done it). Resources are plentiful. They'll be separated before they hit 4 months.

 

[jannb]

I was told they're fine to be housed together up to 5 months. The cage is huge and they don't pay each other any mind. They're given about 16 crickets a day and they eat an equal amount. The basking light is 100w (safe distance from the cage) and the UVB is 10.0 (the screen is black and thick, 5.0 wouldn't have done it). Resources are plentiful. They'll be separated before they hit 4 months.

By 5 months they could have already mated. A 100 watt bulb sound too hot for a 3 month old. What are your basking temps and how are you measuring them? I'm attaching my blog for new keepers below so you can make sure you have everything correct for your new babies.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...-keepers-young-veiled-panther-chameleons.html

Also my egg laying/laying bin blog since one is female. Females can and often do lay egg without even being in sight of a male and yes just the sight of a male can cause them to start forming a clutch.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/jannb/345-egg-laying-laying-bin.html

 

[ASublimeDay]

The male has a hanging screen cage with a fake plant, the female's cage has a live plant with access to dirt for digging. Building it as we speak

Ugh...didn't know they could mate this early. Would it kill her if she had a clutch this early?

The bulbs are 8" away from the top of the cage