K. Matschiei Copulation
- Thread starter CNorton
- Start date
Cainschams
New Member
Nice!! Great work!!
Motherlode Chameleon
Chameleon Enthusiast
X2 and congratulations.
CNorton
Avid Member
That is exactly correct Heather. This is another Mal x Alba mating group. Now that Tanzania WCs are not available and may remain that way for years, I have been considering the implications of mating related chams. I know there is much sensitivity over the subject but I have become more comfortable with it over the years. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to offer 15 genetically distict bloodlines (30 unrelated pairings) but the fact is in the past 5 years there may not have even been 20 K Matschiei imported to the US much less shipped to my door. The scarcity of the species in captivity leaves few options but I'd like to open the discussion on the subject and I hope you all appreciate my 100% transparency with my breeding/keeping of this awesome species.
Please PM me if you do not wish to share your view publicly.
clarkrw3
New Member
While I share your feelings over the desire to always pair unrelated individuals, and this comes from my background in biology. I think there are many examples of breeding related subjects in captivity that have been very successful. Crested geckos being a pretty recent example that now show great strength and diversity. In the snake and leopard gecko world I believe that it is a super common practice to get the desired traits breeders are looking for. The first thing that a lack of genetic diversity does is make the animals more vulnerable to being wiped out by a novel disease which in captivity should not be much of a problem.
In breeding projects like these I think it is best to strive for the best in genetic diversity and work with what is available. You are doing a wonderful job with these guys Chad!! Keep up the good work!
clarkrw3
New Member
CNorton
Avid Member
I also have other clutches to diversify the captive blood.
I am so glad Todd, to have you working on this species with me. My hope is that those that receive females will try their best to produce more and more Giant Monkey-tailed Fischer's here in the US. Others that have contacted me, know that you are also MUCH appreciated and I will be shipping out nothing but the healthiest!
I am so glad Todd, to have you working on this species with me. My hope is that those that receive females will try their best to produce more and more Giant Monkey-tailed Fischer's here in the US. Others that have contacted me, know that you are also MUCH appreciated and I will be shipping out nothing but the healthiest!
Cainschams
New Member
Let me get to Florida in just a few more weeks then ship me mine
CNorton
Avid Member
For those interested in an update, sorry! I've been putting off the update mainly due to the bad news I must share as well as the new job, weddings, and my own health issues lately.
Quite a few babies have died from the first clutch. It took several weeks of reconfiguring and just general second guessing my own husbandry. The cuplrit was a few bad FF cultures that must have poisoned nearly the whole group. Luckily, many of the babies were able to survive and it looks as though the situation is resolved. There is no words that describe the sickening feeling of finding little ones on the cage floor.
After all settled out and the group was healthy again, I did try shipping the healthiest baby of the group. The clutch would be one week shy of 3 months old. Sadly the shipped baby passed on his second day in the new home. Husbandry seemed spot on and the baby showed no sign of dehydration or malnourishment. He did however "yawn" frequently and rub his jaw on a branch. I am stumped.
Also, I have decided to hold back the entire clutch until they reach a more robust age.
All comments, two cents, and opinions welcome! I put all this info out there so that we can ALL learn together.
Quite a few babies have died from the first clutch. It took several weeks of reconfiguring and just general second guessing my own husbandry. The cuplrit was a few bad FF cultures that must have poisoned nearly the whole group. Luckily, many of the babies were able to survive and it looks as though the situation is resolved. There is no words that describe the sickening feeling of finding little ones on the cage floor.
After all settled out and the group was healthy again, I did try shipping the healthiest baby of the group. The clutch would be one week shy of 3 months old. Sadly the shipped baby passed on his second day in the new home. Husbandry seemed spot on and the baby showed no sign of dehydration or malnourishment. He did however "yawn" frequently and rub his jaw on a branch. I am stumped.
Also, I have decided to hold back the entire clutch until they reach a more robust age.
All comments, two cents, and opinions welcome! I put all this info out there so that we can ALL learn together.
Motherlode Chameleon
Chameleon Enthusiast
Hang in there! Once cb babies reach a larger size they normally are quite hardy. I think holding on to them until you are more than past the fragile neonate stage is the best and a wise decision. You have got many fans as you more than most have devoted much time and effort to document and truly captive breed this species. We're rooting for you don't give up.
CNorton
Avid Member
(Re-upped my photos due to dead linkage)
