Baby chameleon isn't growing like I had hoped.

[Twitchet]

Hi, I have two xanths, both in seperate vivs next to each other- with visual barrier- both identical care, one was always small right from the start and never looked like the other- smaller build, head and horns, I got them on mid February- labelled as 3 months old but I'm thinking three days/ weeks old was closer- I started weighing them last month as up until then I didnt want to give them additional stress and handling, ,

Today was weigh in day - Newt is the little one- weighed 2.2g a month ago and weighs exactly the same today.
The other has put on nearly a gram in same period and is now noticeably bigger than his brother now. Both are ad lib fed- fruit flies, curly flies, locusts and calcis ( not taken to them yet) There is always food present and available- Both active,have uv, correct supplementation for montanes and hydrated.
Is Newt just a runt of the litter? Do you get runts with chameleon babies? He certainly doesnt appear ill, he shed a few weeks ago, Is he just going to be small? Do I have another Runty??
Any opinions of possible age? I guess I just keep on this him and hope he survives.
I also read here that Jacksons have a die off period between 3-5 months, anyone have any experience of this?
( check out the Acme chameleon measuring device!!, placed on scales too, white background for photography.)



This was when I first got him, see that the horns are very small- he still looks like this- guess he could be a she but am i right in thinking that the females have absolutely no horns at all.( sorry about dirty fingers- had been planting vivs that morning- lol)


The other is looking good- not quite playing ball with the measuring though- looking much bigger and horns growing well though.

 

[Virgil1972]

Im am not sure if chams have runts but its not that hard to believe that they can.

 

[Woskor]

Im am not sure if chams have runts but its not that hard to believe that they can.

hello
Are you still having issues with poor growth in your jacksons

 

[oneillchameleons]

Even within the same clutches my chams weight vary. I have two females at the moment that hatched at the exact same time, and that have the exact same feeding/supplementation schedule. One is 38 grams and the other is 24 grams. As with any animal, individual genetics often determine growth. I wouldn't worry until you notice a lack of eating, lethargy, or something else that could be causing a reduction in growth.

 

[Twitchet]

Hi there, the bigger one is fantastic, putting on weight steadily and looking very grown up now, he's widening his choice of feeders which is great to see, but the one I was having trouble with who had been feeding and drinking began not to and gently slipped away a week ago, he never increased in size, despite having the exact same care as the other, I guess he was just not right when he was born and never really improved, very sad moment. Many thanks for asking about him.

 

[Twitchet]

Hi there, your reply came in as I was typing the above, , up until the last week he had been eating quite well, drinking well, just never put on weight, then as I say he stopped and I knew it would be soon as he started basking more and more with his little eyes closed, never good. So knew he was losing but still heartbreaking. I think it's only now that I realise Not every single one will make it, it's only natural to get variation I guess. Many thanks to you anyway.