Hello everyone!!!

[Zerah Morris]

Well I have been back from Japan for a few weeks now and just decided I missed you all to much! Before leaving I sold off most of my collection but did not manage to part with a twin pair of deremensis that Mike hatched last year. So I did the only thing I knew to do, put them in the outdoor enclosure, set the misters and let them fend for themselves. I am glad to say that after three months, and much searching I found them upon my return and they seem quite happy in their little home. It took them a week or so to acclimate to me again but both are hand feeding on roaches and earning my trust. Here are a few pics of the female, the male was quite uncooperative, but I will try again tomorrow.

I have made a few changes to the outdoor run in preparing for adding a few more chams and rebuilding a bit of a collection including adding some cages for new arrivals until acclimated...how do they say if "once you have been a pickle, you cannot ever be a cucumber again!"

 

[wow]

wow thats just cool those chameleons were probably having the times of thier lives. where did you end up finding them.
ooh and welcome back

 

[studiocham]

Welcome back!

Nice deremensis- is that reddish orange on the dorsum? I've never seen an orange-and-green mixed morph deremensis before, neat!

 

[pohchunyee]

Welcome back....you have a nice green house there, do you have a floor plan for it? Could you share it with us?

 

[Zerah Morris]

Thanks all, good to be back. It was a bear to find them, flashlight at night always seems to pay off.

Kristina: I am not sure. Mike CH these last year about this time, have to check for dates. The red coloration comes and goes and could just be from the intense Oklahoma sun! She has been outside in some 100+ degree weather, misters running constantly and micro-climate temps in the mid to high 80's.

pohchunyee: you can find the article I wrote on the e-zine about building it here http://www.chameleonnews.com/diy_outdoor.html

Thanks again!

 

[Marc10edora]

Very Very cool. Where do you put them all in the winter though? I read your article before and I can't wait until I move into my new house and set up my own.

 

[Montezuma]

Pretty neat greenhouse-esque setup, I was thinking of doing one like that, How much did that cost you?

 

[Marc10edora]

Has your chameleons ever fought eachother in there? Just wondering how they all get along. Also do they lay eggs in the ground?

 

[jesseesperto]

That is such a awsome little hang out. I wish I could have something like that. My winters can be nasty.

 

[Zerah Morris]

Nope they tend to set up territories and hang out. Same routine every day, same perch, same bask etc. Now if you get a sexual male in there you really have to watch. I have an indoor setup for winter, but still working out the details of a "greenhouse" styled for chams so they can stay out all the time, they love it.

 

[Brad Ramsey]

Are those banana trees on the right in the greenhouse?
I have some huge ones this year that have to come in this winter
and I was thinking about including them in a cham enclosure.
Anyone have info on the pros/cons of this idea?

-Brad

 

[Heika]

Hiya Zerah!

Good to have you back in cham land.

Heika

 

[filip]

Are those banana trees on the right in the greenhouse?
I have some huge ones this year that have to come in this winter
and I was thinking about including them in a cham enclosure.
Anyone have info on the pros/cons of this idea?

-Brad

Those should be canna's, not banana plants...they grow much smaller even though similar in appearance...
I don't think it is a good idea, bananas grow extremely fast and I think they wouldn't do well in an enclosure of any type...
F.

 

[Zerah Morris]

Thanks Heika!

Those are indeed cannas. I planted them against the south exposure to provide some really deep shade from our mid-afternoon sun here in the south. It really has worked out well. They love the moist ground much like elephant ears, etc and block a ton of sun while still leaving open basking areas for the chams to self regulate exposure. They still need to be clipped back from time to time as they grow quickly, but they last all year and come on fast in the early spring.

 

[Zerah Morris]

Just for fun these are some pics I dug up of when she was new and blue!

 

[wow]

i love that blue baby color. i can see why you couldent get rid of them they are my favorite kind of chameleon hopefuly i will also have some in the near futher. any pics of the other one or still cant get a shot.

 

[TreelionsUK]

Hello,beautiful chameleons and that outdoor setup is amazing great idea welldone

 

[Will Hayward]

Long time no see Zerah. Glad to have you back.

 

[Zerah Morris]

Hey Will great to see you too! A few more pics of the deremensis for your viewing pleasure. Such a great species, not sure why more do not work with them.

 

[Chuck G]

Hey Zerah,
Check out some pics of wasabi a.k.a Odin.
Good to see you back,
Chuck