Housing babies.....

[LizLemon]

So far I only have two hatchlings, everyone says I can house them together and I have a huge container with plants in it, following the advice of many on here as well as using the Much Ado About Chameleons blog for tips. Well, as soon as I put them in together (I put them in on opposite sides, didn't just put them right next to each other) they quickly made their way next to one another and both puffed up and opened their mouths. So I seperated them because I didn't know if that was normal or not, I don't want them stressed out but I thought you could put the babies together for a little bit and they'd be okay?

 

[camimom]

You can, sometimes babies get a bit huffy at each other, and its normal, its only when they start fighitng you have to seperate it.

 

[LizLemon]

Ok thanks

 

[ponders]

From my experience, if you have the room, they do better alone. That way you know if they are both eating and pooping. One seems to be intimidated and not eat as well when they are together. But if you have lots hatching, it's hard. I put similar sized ones together if I have to.

 

[LizLemon]

From my experience, if you have the room, they do better alone. That way you know if they are both eating and pooping. One seems to be intimidated and not eat as well when they are together. But if you have lots hatching, it's hard. I put similar sized ones together if I have to.

hmm..that's a good idea, by size i mean. I might just go ahead and invest in some more cages....it would be worth it to know they are not stressed.

 

[fluxlizard]

Once separated for a few days, babies become territorial just like older chameleons that have been separated.

I don't think there is really any beneficial reason to put them back together.

 

[DeremensisBlue]

hmm..that's a good idea, by size i mean. I might just go ahead and invest in some more cages....it would be worth it to know they are not stressed.

The best way to have a low stress environment is to raise them separately. When together they compete for food, the highest perching spot, and for dominance. When you see a baby zap a fruit fly in front of its cage mate while ignoring the one closer you start to get the feel that there isn't a whole lot of group cohesion in chameleons.

They get along when they all have figured out who the top dog is. But that means there are individuals lower on the totem pole. Raised individually they can all grow into their confidence. Flux lizard is correct, though. Putting them together after they have been apart is not an option generally speaking.

I have raised babies in groups and individually. I am much happier with my individually kept results. Just look at the classifieds and at shows. Your "B-grade" animals with nipped tails, old bite marks, or healed eyes come from keeping them in groups.

Bill

 

[nick barta]

hmm..that's a good idea, by size i mean. I might just go ahead and invest in some more cages....it would be worth it to know they are not stressed.

"Search" baby enclosures, you will find plastic boxes that are cheaper, and smaller than screen cages, which is of benefit when hunting food.

Nick

 

[laurie]

This is a forum sponsor who has baby cages designed to take up a small amount of space but are perfect for babies. I am using them now and am very happy.

DRAGONSTRAND.com ~ ~ DRAGONSTRAND Facebook

This is deremensisblue, from a couple post before me.

 

[barbara]

3 of mine have hatched up to now, the first is a week older than the others and it was like a Mexican stand off when I put the others in but they are fine now, they all have their own part of the cage they stay in.

 

[LizLemon]

hahaha, that's funny

3 of mine have hatched up to now, the first is a week older than the others and it was like a Mexican stand off when I put the others in but they are fine now, they all have their own part of the cage they stay in.