Noob : Aging Jackson Chameleons

[AndrewH]

I think I read that chameleons will eat their young. I dont know if thats true or not, but if so, that would be another great reason to separate the mom and pop and the babies once they are born. I'm sure someone here could confirm.

 

[opihiman]

acutally I am excited...but a little scared....don't want to have any die or anything like that....I will need go and researche the other room now...

This has been alot more work than I anticipated but it has been very fun and interesting....

I will need to post when the family comes in...

thanks

OPI

 

[SoCaliSon]

I think I read that chameleons will eat their young. I dont know if thats true or not, but if so, that would be another great reason to separate the mom and pop and the babies once they are born. I'm sure someone here could confirm.

Oh yeah, They will pretty much try to eat anything that is the proper size, especially if they are hungry... An adult could very easily eat a baby... Happens a lot in the wild. Yup, sounds like you may need another cage...

A good way to keep babies is in a bigger rubbermaid container with lighting over it. Makes it easy to feed them, as there are no holes for tiny feeders to slip through, and you dont have to wory about spending a bunch on another cage.

 

[opihiman]

I've seen it before too when a friend had a passing fancy with chameleons. female was pregos and then babies....and then one by one they all disappeared.

does the rubber maid container need to be clear?

OPI

 

[SoCaliSon]

No, actually one that is not clear would be better... I have heard that chameleons cannot sense the barrier when it is clear like glass, which can stress them out and make them constantly want to crwal through the walls. Use no substrate in it, I would put in some fake plants and vines for them to climb on, but not climb out... Maybe have another one ready also so that when the babies start getting bigger, and aggressive towards eachother, you can seperate them out, to thin the crowding.

 

[opihiman]

the next question I should ask is what to feed.

most of the posts will say pinheads, but what is a pit head....?

also grass has alot of leaf hoppers (small grasshoppers) is this OK?

It's like having kids all over again...

Thanks

OPI

 

[Trace]

Maybe that is what "trace was talking about". I will work on the cage issue...Out of frying pan and into the fire....if one cage wasn't enough now there are two.

-thanks

OPI

Actually I was more interested (concerned?) about why the top of her body is green while her undersides are white. Blanching sometimes is in response to too much heat or burns. Their cage isn't over a heater or something?

Now I work exclusively with live bearing chameleons but haven't produced 1000's in my life, but NOT ONCE has any of my females eaten their babies. Yes, I suppose it's possible if the babies are left with mom long term - and I'm talking over the course of days and weeks, but you certainly don't have to remove the babies as they fall out of mom's bum if you know what I mean.

Good luck!
T

 

[opihiman]

No My cage has no artifical heat source. Being in Hawaii I figured that the need for a external heat source wouldn't be needed.

Is that the gravid coloring the others were talking about.

 

[SoCaliSon]

No, the coloration I was refering to was the Dark Blotches... I thought what Trace was referring to was just a lighting thing, but if she does have that lighter shading on the bottom side of her, That would definateyl be something to look into... I'm nit sure what would cause it... But I know Trace knows what she is talking about so, Maybe they were kept to warm before they were in your care.

Are you using a UV source?

 

[opihiman]

now using UVB light now for the last 2 or 3 weeks...other wise I had been taking them out on to the porch where they would get direct sun for about an hour and then indirect light (shaded) for about 4 to 8 hours.

she had been like that since I can remember and I have had her for about 3 to 4 mos now.

what are you all thinking it can be?

OPI

Hang on a bit...I just went back to look at the photo..the light dark coloration is from being so close. the upper cross bar on the cage causes a shadow when the flash went off. she is the same shading from bottom to top.

I hope that is OK>

OPI

 

[Trace]

Hang on a bit...I just went back to look at the photo..the light dark coloration is from being so close. the upper cross bar on the cage causes a shadow when the flash went off. she is the same shading from bottom to top.

I hope that is OK>

AHHHH! That explains it. No worries then. And do continue with putting them outside, there is nothing better than real sun (even indirect) for your Jax.

Pinheads are small, just hatched crickets. They are the size of well... a pinhead! You can use them or even 1/8" crickets and fruit flies (sometimes referred to as FF's by us old timers) to feed the babies. Research a place you can acquire FF's in Hawaii.

Those small grasshoppers would be fine to use too. The general rule of thumb is; use/feed insects that are no wider than the width between the chameleons eyes. Chameleons are the only reptile that chews their food before swallowing, but attempting to use too big a bug may be a choking hazard.

OPI: I'm very happy to see you asking a lot of questions about your animals, it shows you really want what's best for them.

Cheers,
t

 

[opihiman]

Actually the fruit flies thing is pretty easy here in Hawaii...if you leave a piece of fruit out long enough... you get fruit flies...

great thanks ....

OPI