How to identify age of a chameleon

[NvC Dex]

Hello all!!

I was wondering if there was any indicators on a chameleon to know how old he or she is? I have 2 males. the person I got them from said they were 4 months old. That was a month ago which would make them 5 months now... HOWEVER, seeing some people's pictures of their chams at the same age, they have more colors than mine. One of mine is also smaller than the other... He just doesn't eat much... I appreciate anyone's help!

 

[zlew]

It's tough, because there's a range of sizes/color development that are normal for each age, and those ranges tend to be pretty wide. Usually size is the indicator, but like you said, sometimes they just don't eat as much and grow a little slower, or eat a ton and grow really fast.

 

[carol5208]

Post some pics and something to compare size to, like your finger or hand. As far as size, like the other member said, it can vary and some get color sooner than others also. I have a chameleon appropriately named PeeWeel. Is is one year old and weighs in at about 104 grams. That is very small compared to some. He did have a parasite when he was younger and that really put him behind growth wise. I am hoping he will catch up as time goes on.

 

[NvC Dex]

Here are some pics, I could only get one out and that was due to him allowing me... He still doesnt trust me but he didnt try to run or puff up like usual. The guy I got them from said that they were 4 months old and I have almost had them for close to 2 months now. (About a week and a half away from 2 months). Both pics are of the same chameleon. My second one is about half the size.

 

[MelissaB]

If they're both in the same cage, which you really should not do, the smaller one may be too stressed or bullied by the other to eat.

 

[NvC Dex]

They are separate. He just eats only 1 or 2 meal worms or crickets a day. I mist 4 times a day. calcium with d3 twice a month and calcium w/o d3 everyday. (except during cal w/ d3 days). Still working on them liking me. A long process. But yea...

 

[MelissaB]

Good, I'm glad you separated them. I saw your enclosure thread post that showed them both in an 18x18x24 viv and thought that's what you still had them in.

Maybe he's just a slow bloomer, was he always smaller than the other one? Or did they start out the same size?

 

[NvC Dex]

He was a bit smaller when I first got them. One just grew bigger. I'm working on getting bigger enclosures just hit a snag budget wise... 4 kiddos are not cheap. XD