All info on pygmies?

[KarmaChameleon1337]

As in what's the best species to get, how much are they, the care info, etc. I have both an empty 100 gallon screen cage and an empty pretty large zoomed terrarium. I believe I heard that the glass one is the best, is that correct?

 

[KarmaChameleon1337]

Anyone own pygmies? I'd like a small group.

 

[KarmaChameleon1337]

Bump for night users.

 

[chameleoman]

I personally like the brevs, I dont remember the full name but theyre bearded pygmys ive been looking for a pair myself. I found a really really good care sheet on chameleonnews.com or something like that

 

[KarmaChameleon1337]

I couldn't find any articles on pygmies.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

http://chameleonnews.com/05DecRouthouska.html

 

[KarmaChameleon1337]

Thankyou, in your opinion what is the best to keep? I have a fairly large terrarium so nothing too small, which are the larger of the pygmies?

 

[pssh]

R. spectrum are pretty large and fairly easy to get. R. temporalis are larger than R. brevicaudatus (AKA brevs or the common name is bearded pygmy) and also are fairly easy to get. Temporalis (Usambara pitted pygmy is the common name) tend to be about the same price of brevs or just a little higher, and spectrum (spectral is the common name) tend to be a little more expensive (by maybe $10 or so depending on where you get them.) LLL is a good place to get all three when they are imported. I think they have brevs and temporalis right now.

Temporalis like it a little cooler than brevs. I don't know much about Spectral pygmies though. I personally like temporalis, but most recommend brevs as a first time pygmy.

 

[KarmaChameleon1337]

The brevs are the ones I'm looking at. Do they like their enclosures to be similarly put together as most chameleons? Lots of foilage and many branches?

 

[KarmaChameleon1337]

Also, on LLL can I specify the genders I want? I heard 1 male to 2-3 female is best.

 

[pssh]

You should email them and ask. I believe they will try to pick the genders for you but they can't guarantee them. In a smaller tank one male plus a female or two is good. If it's a pretty big enclosure more females can be put in. If it's a huge enclosure you can sometimes put two males in if there is enough room (and females) for them to remain separate. Sometimes the males will seek eachother out and bother each other though so you have to separate them. Definitely ask them about sexing them though.

Indeed, they like lots of plants and tiny sticks/branches for them to climb. Try to use a variety of sizes so they can work out their little feet. Try to pick some plants with small stems/branches for them to use too (if you also want some bigger plants in there too.) Make sure they can use both the lower, mid, and upper levels in the tank. My brevs have always liked to roam a lot.

 

[KarmaChameleon1337]

I've seen in most pygmy enclosures these ball things in the bottom, what are those?

Sorry for having so many questions!

 

[pssh]

I believe they are called hydro-balls for drainage reasons. Check out some good tutorials for terrariums (there are a few on here and some good ones on dart frog forums) so you can set up the drainage layers right and perhaps get some ideas on plants and set ups/center pieces (like a nice central branch or stump.)

 

[chameleoman]

I've seen in most pygmy enclosures these ball things in the bottom, what are those?

Sorry for having so many questions!

As pssh said theyre hydro balls people like too put those then a screen layer and then the dirt for drainage

 

[c81kennedy]

They discontinued the hydro balls so they will get hard and harder to find. I started using growstones there much lighter hold more water and look a little more natural. Also the are made of recycled glass so its good for the planet.

Here some pics of my current pygmy tanks with hydro balls

 

[KarmaChameleon1337]

What exactly do the things on the bottom do? Do I just leave them there forever? The hydroballs/recycled glass.

 

[pssh]

Its for drainage. So the water has a place to go instead of the soil becoming soupy.

 

[chameleoman]

They discontinued the hydro balls so they will get hard and harder to find. I started using growstones there much lighter hold more water and look a little more natural. Also the are made of recycled glass so its good for the planet.

Here some pics of my current pygmy tanks with hydro balls

NIIIIIICCCCCEEEEE!!!!!!!!! where do you get growstones?