My Melleri doesn't have a horn

[draetish]

All the pics I've seen of Melleri show a horn on their nose. Here are pics of my Lola sleeping and she doesn't have one. Is she a different kind? How can I tell if she really is a female, that's what the pet store told me? They buy their chams from reptile expos and private breeders.

 

[eisentrauti]

The must read for every melleri keeper:
http://www.melleridiscovery.com/index.html very good side !!!

 

[Julirs]

They commonly knock their horns off. I have one and one without. They would only know that she was a female for sure if she laid eggs or they had her DNA sexed.

 

[mwebb]

Female or not

You have to get an xray of the tail by the vent to see if it is male or female on melleris

 

[Olimpia]

Woah what are these expensive sexing procedures? Isn't it equally effective (and free) to just look at their vent to look for a bulge? I'm not familiar with this species but I imagine that since it works for geckos, beardies, iguanas, and the chameleons I know, it must work for this cham.

Draetish, if you can get a good clear photo of the base of her tail from the side I'm sure we can help you sex her.

 

[Murrdox]

Stop posting pictures of Melleri, because they're gorgeous and I want one!

 

[draetish]

That is an excellent website, thank you so much! How do I join the melleri forum?

 

[hallenhe]

Woah what are these expensive sexing procedures? Isn't it equally effective (and free) to just look at their vent to look for a bulge? I'm not familiar with this species but I imagine that since it works for geckos, beardies, iguanas, and the chameleons I know, it must work for this cham.

Draetish, if you can get a good clear photo of the base of her tail from the side I'm sure we can help you sex her.

Melleri are generally a bit more reticent about revealing their gender than some taxa; if eggs aren't laid or the animal isn't caught in the act of everting its hemipenes, you can go for years without knowing the gender.

 

[nightcrawler]

Melleri are generally a bit more reticent about revealing their gender than some taxa; if eggs aren't laid or the animal isn't caught in the act of everting its hemipenes, you can go for years without knowing the gender.

Lovely, and mysterious!

 

[Olimpia]

Ah well, I stand corrected That is curious.

 

[Pure]

It's been recently discovered here and published on Melleri discovery that males can sometime s evert their hemipenis wile defecating.

Brye has a way he "thinks" works (no offense Brye) but I've yet to see and real proof that his method of sexing them is accurate.

To the OP, A WC Melleri with a horn intact is actually not the norm.

 

[draetish]

What gender is my Melleri?

Attached are photos of Lola's vent. She is 18 mo old and as far as I know has never had a clutch of eggs. Can someone tell me if Lola is really a Louie?
Donna

 

[withlime]

Attached are photos of Lola's vent. She is 18 mo old and as far as I know has never had a clutch of eggs. Can someone tell me if Lola is really a Louie?
Donna

How long have you had Lola? Our female laid a clutch for us this spring and she seems to be growing another clutch at the moment.
Do you keep track of her weight? Can you take pictures of her back legs? She seems to have quite a belly, but I'm not sure if she is growing a clutch or if she is just chubby.

 

[Fearaffect]

It's been recently discovered here and published on Melleri discovery that males can sometime s evert their hemipenis wile defecating.

Brye has a way he "thinks" works (no offense Brye) but I've yet to see and real proof that his method of sexing them is accurate.

To the OP, A WC Melleri with a horn intact is actually not the norm.

Grrrrr......I curse u Shannen!!
Yes, if u "pop" them, much like a snake, u can tell the sex. They hate this and u will risk a nice bite from them. The males hemipenes is not in the tail, its up in the "body" and u have to "pop" it to tell. Both will "pop" out if male and if not, then female. Again, u r risking a bite since to do it properly, u have the cham. under your arm with the back end in your hand. That leaves the head(and gaping mouth) free to bite your tender under arm.....

 

[draetish]

How long have you had Lola? Our female laid a clutch for us this spring and she seems to be growing another clutch at the moment.
Do you keep track of her weight? Can you take pictures of her back legs? She seems to have quite a belly, but I'm not sure if she is growing a clutch or if she is just chubby.

I've had her 6 mo and she lived in a pet store for a year (great place btw). She is approx 2yrs old and has never had a clutch. She eats 12 large crickets, plus a couple of super or horn worms a day. She poops just about everyday. I have tried to feel for eggs in her belly and it doesn't appear that there are any.

 

[Carlton]

Don't think I would try popping a big melleri! Not knowing how to do it gently risks injury. Really, try to catch them defecating...they certainly do evert their hemipenes...I've seen it. Sometimes you can stimulate this by putting one outdoors in bright sunlight after they've eaten a large meal. It might take longer to determine sex, but it's safe.

 

[draetish]

Don't think I would try popping a big melleri! Not knowing how to do it gently risks injury. Really, try to catch them defecating...they certainly do evert their hemipenes...I've seen it. Sometimes you can stimulate this by putting one outdoors in bright sunlight after they've eaten a large meal. It might take longer to determine sex, but it's safe.

I think I'm going to let Lola be Lola and not be concerned with her gender and for sure not going to invade her privates. She is what she is even if she may be a he. Anyway I don't plan on breeding any chams even if I had a female as it seems so hard on them. Thanks to all of you that commented, we'll just leave well enought alone.

 

[Carlton]

I think I'm going to let Lola be Lola, we'll just leave well enought alone.

And, isn't she going to be relieved! Really, just watch her...you might find out before you realize it.

 

[laurie]

Stop posting pictures of Melleri, because they're gorgeous and I want one!

You read my mind, but I do love the pictures of the mellers, that will have to hold me until I locate one.

 

[summoner12]

I've had her 6 mo and she lived in a pet store for a year (great place btw). She is approx 2yrs old and has never had a clutch. She eats 12 large crickets, plus a couple of super or horn worms a day. She poops just about everyday. I have tried to feel for eggs in her belly and it doesn't appear that there are any.

You are feeding 'her' too much. Looking at the pics I was thinking "hmm shes fat... maybe she has eggs.... but I wasn't sure. Which is why withlime is asking for more pics of her..... to get an idea of fat storage and over feeding... the legs and the pads on the head are good indicators. I imagine you ahve a girl.... but ya never know.

Take the feeding down to 4-5 crickets a day..... Melleri are very greedy