Chamelaeo Rudis (side striped chameleons)

[helenpottage]

Hi all,
Me and my boyfriend bought 2 6 week old side striped chameleons (rudis) on monday does any one know how to tell male and females apart from each other either by colour or any way else?
We are hoping that we have got 1 of each one has a definite orange stripe down the sides and the other is like a green colour with a not so definite stripe. Any ideas??
Thankyou.

Oh and will add some pics of our babies later!!!

 

[Trace]

Congrats on your new acquisitions, the rudis are one of my favourite species. Have either of you worked with chameleons before?

I find the easiest way to sex the rudis is by hemipenal bulge (The man areas!), or lack thereof. The differences between the sexes can be subtle at 6 weeks of age though. Definitely post some pics of the pair and I'm sure one of us can hazard a good guess as to who is who.

Remember, the rudis are considered a montane species of chameleon and thus like cooler temperatures and higher humidity than most of the standard issue chameleons you will see here on the forums. They are not picky eaters - you've probably noticed this already considering their age - so make sure you've got a nice variety of feeder insects for them.

Also, please don't be shy about asking questions about your new pets!

Cheers,
Trace

 

[helenpottage]

since ive posted this one has died and the other is VERY ill and we dunno what to do. his eye isbulging and he is very dark any ideas as he seems lifeless.

 

[Trace]

Hi Helen!

I'm really sorry to hear that you are having problems with those rudis so early. My condolences... chameleons, particularly personable species like the rudis can really grow on you in a short time.

That said, 6 weeks of age is quite young for baby chameleons to be sold - compound that with the fact that the rudis are a live bearing species and those babies are considerably more difficult to rear in captivity. They are very sensitive to temperature fluctuations and humidity levels and extremes in either will be deadly.

I'm not sure what advice to offer you at this point. Obviously taking the remaining one to a vet would be a proper thing to do, but I'm not sure if they can really do much for one so young and small. I would keep him in a smaller container like a Rubbermaid tub or Kritter Keeper with a few sticks and a plant cutting. Room temperature is fine for the rudis. Frequent misting will help increase humidity. Offer small numbers of fruit flies to see if he will eat. Confining him to a small area will not hurt.

If you like, give us a run down on your cage, set-up, lights and feeding regime. Maybe there is something you are missing.

Again, I'm sorry to hear your experience with chameleons has been a terrible one. Please keep me informed either privately (I did get your PM) or publicly on the situation. We are here to help.

Good luck,
Trace

 

[ciafardo 4]

i have a very gravid female rudis ive had sucess with breeding veileds and jacksons but this is my first time for rudis i know all the basics for this species but any tips on rearing the little ones when they arrive would be greatly appreciated