Live together in harmony??

[Loz]

Sorry if this has already been asked but I used the search tool and could not find an answer to my query.

SOME people say that they keep their chameleons housed together successfully - Is this down to providing them with A LOT of space or do some species not mind a bit of company?

I understand that the majority species of chams should be housed alone; however I only have a veiled so my knowledge and experience of other species is limited, though I'm learning more each day.

Please advise

 

[Dunnigan]

The only chameleons that are recommended to be kept together are pygmy chameleons, one one male per tank. And when those are kept together the tank needs to be fairly large and be well planted so if the little guys want to have some alone time they can.

 

[Loz]

Cheers Dunnigan!

 

[Brad Ramsey]

The only chameleons that are recommended to be kept together are pygmy chameleons, one one male per tank. And when those are kept together the tank needs to be fairly large and be well planted so if the little guys want to have some alone time they can.

Not true.
There are a few montane species that can be kept communally including Melleri.
I wouldn't house any together though without a fair bit of research and experience.

-Brad

 

[Loz]

Thanks for the info Brad. I am only a curious newby at this stage. I would definitley not consider trying this without A LOT more experience.
I love chameleons and find them fascinating, so maybe in many, many years time I may approach the idea.

 

[SliK JiM]

There's a couple of people I know (well 3) who keep pairs and even trios. I got my veiled from a guy who kept 1 male and 2 females veileds in one enclosure. It was ****ing massive though. These keepers all have a massive collection of chameleons and have been at it for years! It's something I don't think I'll ever try just because there is a lot that could go wrong, but it can be done.

 

[toddmkeller]

Howdy,

Housing chameleons together is cool, but it presents its own issues like anything else. Having enough room like you said before is a big factor. My two captive hatched Melleri are housed together and seem to enjoy each others company. I agree with what Brad said above. I wouldn't recommend housing chams together unless you have experience with the species.

Here are a few pics of my Mellers together:

Good Luck!

Todd

 

[Murrdox]

I know someone who had a free-range setup with a pair of ficus trees. He doesn't have it anymore, so I'm a bit foggy on the details. He had 3 Jacksons. I believe it was two females and a male? Or two males and a female.

They always did great. They would stay a couple feet apart from each other normally, which seemed like enough room for them. They flourished, it was a really great setup.

 

[eisentrauti]

Very nice melleris Todd !

There are a few Trioceros species for example, jacksonii jacksonii, jacksonii xantholophus, quadricornis, montium, cristatus, bitaeniatus, sternfeldi
Some Kinyongias: tavetanum, I think also some of the fischeri komplex
Some Bradypodions: thamnobates, damaranum. pumilum

But you need much more space in compare to give them single tanks and you need always an additonal tank if they don't live friendly together (or when the female is gravid)
And you need some experience to see if they stress each other. The best species to start with is probably Chamaeleo trioceros bitaeniatus. They are living in the nature as well often together as pairs

 

[Loz]

Thanks for all your replies. There's so much conflicting information out there, it's good to hear from peolpe who know from experience.

Todd your Mellers are absolutely gorgeous!

I won't be trying to house any chams together for a very long time it's just nice to know what your options are. I'm more than happy with my veiled at the moment and I'll slowly work my way up from there.

 

[slowfoot]

I've kept a pair of Jacksons together, and a pair of C. quadricornis with no problems. However, they were in very large outdoor enclosures.

The quads were very occasionally and accidentally in the same small enclosure without problems (my male quad was an excellent escape artist and would do anything to be with his girl), but I really think larger enclosures are a must for this sort of thing.

 

[reptilemancan]

I've kept a pair of Jacksons together, and a pair of C. quadricornis with no problems. However, they were in very large outdoor enclosures.

The quads were very occasionally and accidentally in the same small enclosure without problems (my male quad was an excellent escape artist and would do anything to be with his girl), but I really think larger enclosures are a must for this sort of thing.

i have heard good and bad thing about keeping chameleons together, personally i think its great but slightly reicky incase they dont get on/....