Chamaeleo rudis

[wow]

Hey i was wondering how heavy a full grown rudis gravid would weight i need to know because the scale i plan to buy only goes up to 300 grams. Also what type of supplement schdule do you use with what? I have heard that they can be kept together but am hesitant of trying it has anyone had any experiance with it?

 

[Trace]

Hello wow. Excellent questions.
I think you would be fairly safe with that scale. 300 grams is actually a little over half a pound and most chameleons don't weight that much. I can't seem to find my notes on the Jewelled rudis (they are slightly larger than the regular rudis) I kept, but some of the closely related species I work with range from 30grams to 50grams when gravid.

I use Susan Donohue/Walkabout Farms "Montane Shade" on my chameleons daily but I'm afraid it might not be available anymore. It is a shame because I really don't feel the more common supplements (Rep-cal, Minerall et.al) are near the quality of the Walkabout Farms formula(s).

I believe the rudis, and their closely related brethren, can be kept in groups. They seem to have a much more calm demeanour than some of the larger species of chameleons. Depending on the individual specimen though, there are points of the year where I can not have them live communally. In the wild, they can escape from amorous and/or aggressive males if needed. In a cage, no matter how big, they can't. There is certainly nothing wrong with admitting you are hesitant of housing them in groups (in fact, I really respect that ) and in the case of the rudis, housing them individually is not necessary and will not harm them. I don't think there is any psychological or physical need for housing in groups with the bitaeniatus family.

The rudis are a nice, small, underrated chameleon and there are plenty CB specimens available if you are considering them. Avoid WC's!

Good luck.
Trace

 

[wow]

Thanks for the info i plan on buying cb. I know that montane or lowland not shore witch one a rudis is do not need as much
supplementation as savanna types, i plan on supplementing/feeding like i would for any chameleon when young but after 6mnths or so i will tone it down, this is my plan if it isn’t enough or to little i would love some input. Calcium 3 times a week, calcium with d3 2 times a month, Herptivite/minerall once a month alternating between every other month. Food i will staple crickets 4 times a week and offer fly and various worms for treats. This will all change when they’re outside or breeding. I have always wanted to build a large showy cage where i can have a 1.2 or 1.3 but would have extra cages setup just in case, just imagine a large cage with hibiscus and other flowering plants with 3 rudis in it.

 

[Trace]

Rudis come from a fairly wide range in east Africa. Populations have been noted in Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, DR Congo and Sudan so there is a variety of habitats they occupy but most are found at 1000m plus. I consider the rudis to be a montane species.

Again, I'm completely unfamiliar with the usual brands of supplements (perhaps someone else could offer advice on this?) but your dusting regime sounds good to me. I have not found the rudis to be fussy eaters so most insects are accepted.

Again, good luck. I too would love a huge cage for my goetzei. Some day... some day...
Cheers,
Trace

 

[Champhibians]

Trace you are right on with the weight of the gravid rudis, my last gravid female was 43 grams about a week before droping