Chris Anderson
Dr. House of Chameleons
The short lifespan of Furcifer labordi is not a myth or a result of messed up genetics and it has been scientifically documented (http://www.pnas.org/content/105/26/8980.full.pdf). Their short lifespan has to do with the conditions during different parts of the year where they live that make survival difficult. The result is that they have developed a life history strategy where they live and pass their genes on to the next generation quickly to avoid dying before they were able to breed. They grow extremely fast, breed at a very young age, lay their eggs and the entire population dies off except for the eggs. Then, during the harshest period of the year, the species is found only in eggs and come better conditions the following year, the eggs hatch and the cycle repeats.
This species has been kept and bred in captivity in the past but with limited success. Their lifespan in captivity has been drawn out beyond what is seen in the wild, but it is still very short and captive populations have not been sustainable.
Chris
This species has been kept and bred in captivity in the past but with limited success. Their lifespan in captivity has been drawn out beyond what is seen in the wild, but it is still very short and captive populations have not been sustainable.
Chris
