Tips on pregnant Rudis

[Mcfluffin]

Hi everyone...

I am getting a female rudis (who is pregnant) in the next few weeks. I know a fair bit about their care in general...temp drops, high humidity etc. I was wondering if there are any tips people could give me on helping the mother to give birth successfully, as well as successful rearing of the babies. This is my first livebearer, so it is a bit of a step for me. It is always best to here from people who have been successful though, so thought I'd ask.

At the moment I have read that sometimes leaving the female in a very quiet area in beneficial (perhaps with the viv hidden away behind a hanging towel or sheet)?

Is there a benefit to providing a lot of nutritional food, or should this be limited during the pregnancy?

I also plan to house any babies seperately in the small translucent plastic boxes with mesh tops (like toy storage boxes). This way they should be able to get to their food, reduce stress and keep high humidity.

Does this make sense, and can anyone add any good tips for these livebearing montane species.

Thanks

Joe

 

[kinyonga]

You said..."Is there a benefit to providing a lot of nutritional food, or should this be limited during the pregnancy?"...I would not limit food during the pregnancy of a chameleon...the mother should have a nutritional diet during this time.

I would let her have peace and quiet too. If this is a WC chameleon her chances are likely less than perfect for delivering a thriving clutch.

 

[Mcfluffin]

Thanks kinyonga...I believe she is captive bred, but will certainly keep her somewhere quiet

 

[Mcfluffin]

Does anyone have any experience of the gestation period length for rudis chams. I can't find any figures in books or on the web (although Necas book has figures for bitans, which I suppose are similar)

Thanks

 

[dondeb562]

I was told gestation is 3 months.

 

[Mcfluffin]

Blimey! That short! Thanks...might have some babies fairly soon then. thanks Donde...

Anyone else have experience of how long they hold their young for?

 

[Trace]

Most of the literature I have read about the rudis say 6 to 9 months gestation. That indeed does fit with my experiences with the bitaeniatus and bitaeniatus related chameleons. In fact I found my average gestation was about 6 months or so. I believe the rudis to have multiple litters annually.

With the rudis, there have been many successes with raising the litter in a group (dondeb562 is a fine example of this, Brandy has also raised them successfully in groups). I, on the other hand, prefer to raise my ovoviviparous babies individually or in pairs. I don't think individual raising is as critical with the rudis as it is with other members of the bitaeniatus complex. If you feel more comfortable and have the space for individual rearing than by all means do it.

Good luck with your new venture Joe.
Cheers,
t

 

[dondeb562]

WOW! 6 months?? I was told when I got them 4 months after she delivers she could very well deliver another clutch! I know Jacksons go 6 months and I was surprised to hear 3 months on the rudis, though their clutches are much smaller then a jacksons.
I have raised minie in a goup in a small screen cage. I also feed TONS of fruit flies. I have had to have 3 cultures here at one time since they eat so much. lol!

 

[Mcfluffin]

Thanks guys...great advice...I think I will be able to manage seperate enclosures...My female is hopefully about 3 weeks gone...so have plenty of time for provisions. It could fall at a hot time of year...so will absolutely have Air con by then!

I'm planning to keep the rudis outside this summer (an area which gets sunlight for only part of the day next to my blocks of flats). I may install an atrificial shade as well (and of course there will be dense vegetation). This way they get the temperature drop at night, and natural sunlight (plus the area is nice and quiet...so less tress)...My question is...how long can I leave them outside for? I've read other threads where people leave them out even when its frosty! I'm not suggesting that, but will they be OK into the autumn...where daytime temperatures are lower as well?

 

[dondeb562]

I am not sure where you are located, but keep in mind they do not like hot temps. Usually around 75- 80 is where I keep mine. I was told that they can not go over 85...? A breeder told me with his first ones he made that mistake and ended up loosing a clutch of babies.

 

[Trace]

My question is...how long can I leave them outside for? I've read other threads where people leave them out even when its frosty!

You'll get a few different answers I'm sure, but I've kept my various bitans outside into late October. Temperatures at night would fall into the single digits and/or teens Celcius (I'll be danged if I know what that is in Fahrenheit! ) As long as my critters could sufficiently warm up in the direct sun the following day, they stayed outside. They started coming inside when there was frost warnings.

I agree with dondeb562, high temperatures can be lethal to the montanes. Make sure they get lots of shade and plenty water in the summer heat.

Cheers,
t

 

[Mcfluffin]

Thanks very much donde and Trace...It's nice to have advice from people who have kept these animals successfully. I will let you know how I get on

 

[wormily]

Immaculate conception

Our Rudis was pregnant when she arrived from LLL Reptile & dropped 13 babies soon after we got her. As we had never raised chameleons we didn't have the first clue about what we were doing. There is a lot of useful information at www.rockymountainrudis.com. Unfortunately only one of this clutch survived to maturity. Beware though. A couple of months after the first clutch was born she dropped another 13....... none survived as it was the middle of winter and we couldn't find enough food. Good luck!

 

[Mcfluffin]

Thanks Wormily...I have read the rockmountain rudis page through entirely. It is a very good account of their experiences, and a really good read.

Sounds like you had to learn the hard way I do hope I have more luck. Do you still keep them?

 

[dondeb562]

hmm, was it 3 months after or 6 months? I was told there gestation is 3 months, but other experienced breeders on this forum have stated 6 months. It is unfortunate you were not able to find food. Were you catching food for them? You can order fruit flies on line if there are no reptile stores near you that sell them. I have not heard of there being a shortage of them during winter from the vendors....

 

[wormily]

We still have the original chameleon & one of her babies who is now 10 months old. The mom (Bupe) just dropped another dozen or so ?eggs? She looks super happy and healthy. here is a photo of her & her daughter (Emida) hanging out in their tree.

 

[Trace]

Wormily: Those are some nice looking rudis, but I'm thinking Emida is a boy chameleon.

Cheers,
t

 

[dondeb562]

ummm I was just going to say the same thing about the baby. That does appear to be a boy...

 

[reptimom]

I have rudis chameleons, and yes, your baby is a boy!!!

 

[wormily]

We had 2 left from the original clutch & Gordon was much more brightly colored and always trying to mount his mother. We gave him away and he died a few months before Emida. She may have been a boy, but she sure didn't act like Gordon.