what gender?

[Lathelia]

Hi there,
I got my first chameleon yesterday. It's a baby ambilobe panther (about 2 months old). The breeder couldn't tell the gender, but I hope it's a boy. Could you tell from the picture what sex it is? I would really appreciate someone's experienced opinion.
Thanks for all comments!

 

[danibug23]

i want to say female... but i will let someone more experienced take a shot at it

 

[Solid Snake]

Welcome to CF!
Its great to have you, and your new friend!
Do you know what local it is?
I am going to put my vote in for male!
Again, welcome, and feel free to share pictures, and ask any questions you may have!

 

[Lathelia]

Do you know what local it is?
I am going to put my vote in for male!

Thanks for your guesses. I have a few concerns, it's my first cham and even the first reptile. What I'm worried is that he/she doesn't eat nor drink, at lest I haven't seen it eating and drinking. But it's a second day, so maybe I should give it some time to get use to new environment.
What do you mean by "what local it is"?

 

[danibug23]

there are different types there is ambilobe, nosy be, nosy faly, ambanja and etc

 

[Lathelia]

oh yes... sorry
as I wrote before, it is an ambilobe

 

[Solid Snake]

oh yes... sorry
as I wrote before, it is an ambilobe

Sorry I missed that.
Chameleons can be very skiddish, and it is normal for them to not feel comfortable enough to eat and drink after a move.
However, the chameleon being so young(most breeders will not sell until at least 3 months) and, as you mentioned, this being your first reptile, it may be worthwhile for you to fill out the "how to ask for help" form. This way we get a general idea of your husbandry, and if there is anything that could cause an issue, or be effecting its current eating patterns..
Here is the form:


Chameleon Info:

Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.


Cage Info:

Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
Location - Where are you geographically located?


Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.


Pictures are helpful

 

[thePopeJP]

Thanks for your guesses. I have a few concerns, it's my first cham and even the first reptile. What I'm worried is that he/she doesn't eat nor drink, at lest I haven't seen it eating and drinking. But it's a second day, so maybe I should give it some time to get use to new environment.
What do you mean by "what local it is"?

Just to take out the guesswork, it's a great idea to fill out this form when you get your first Cham, it will really help people here get an idea of your setup, and you'll get instant and great feedback on any changes that should be made. Here's the form:
--------------------------------
Here is some recommended information to include when asking for help in the health clinic forum. By providing this information, you will receive more accurate and beneficial responses. It might not be necessary to answer all these questions, but the more you provide the better. Please remember that even the most knowledgeable person can only guess at what your problem may be. Only an experienced reptile veterinarian who can directly examine your animal can give a true diagnosis of your chameleon's health.


Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.

Cage Info:
Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
Location - Where are you geographically located?

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.

 

[Nads]

Hi,i'm also thinking that you may have a male....

Vicky

 

[Lathelia]

Your Chameleon - panther, ambilobe, 2 months old, got it yesterday, don't know the gender
Handling - haven't done that yet (only when putting to the cage)
Feeding - feed it with tiny crickets; twice today (as I got it yesterday evening), with a cup; I think he/she ate some, but can't be sure as the cricket are very small and almost invisible in the cage
Supplements - got some calcium from the breeder, dusting the crickets with it (Im buying vitamins tomorrow)
Watering - I mist three times a day, have a waterfall (taking it out tomorrow), I mist only for about 2 min, because I have a small cage; haven't seen my cham drinking
Fecal Description - haven't got colors yet, a lil bit of orange and brown; haven't been tested
History - bought from a breeder from czech republic


Cage Info:

Cage Type - glass with screen on top and ventilation holes in front (a bit worried about it, but I live in Europe and heard it's better this way in this climat); 18x18x24 (just for a couple of months)
Lighting - two bulbs: 5.0 and 2.0, exo terra, form 8am. to 8pm; I'm using 75W, but it's about 2" above the top
Temperature - around 83F (measured near the top), at night 68F;I'm also using heating mat (mainly to keep the temp at night)
Humidity - between 45%-70% (rest info: 'Watering')
Plants - put the first live plant today: benjamin
Placement - quite a calm area, during the day no one is in it. got a table today: 18" high
Location - Poland, Europe


Please let me know how it looks

 

[Solid Snake]

oh yes... sorry
as I wrote before, it is an ambilobe

Your Chameleon - panther, ambilobe, 2 months old, got it yesterday, don't know the gender
Handling - haven't done that yet (only when putting to the cage)
Feeding - feed it with tiny crickets; twice today (as I got it yesterday evening), with a cup; I think he/she ate some, but can't be sure as the cricket are very small and almost invisible in the cage
Supplements - got some calcium from the breeder, dusting the crickets with it (Im buying vitamins tomorrow)
Make sure the calcium doesnt have D3. Only plain calcium should be used everyday. Calcium with D3 twice a month, and the multivitamin twice a month.
Watering - I mist three times a day, have a waterfall (taking it out tomorrow), I mist only for about 2 min, because I have a small cage; haven't seen my cham drinkingThis is good. Yes take the WF out.
Fecal Description - haven't got colors yet, a lil bit of orange and brown; haven't been tested
History - bought from a breeder from czech republic


Cage Info:

Cage Type - glass with screen on top and ventilation holes in front (a bit worried about it, but I live in Europe and heard it's better this way in this climat); 18x18x24 (just for a couple of months)No worries, this is fine.
Lighting - two bulbs: 5.0 and 2.0, exo terra, form 8am. to 8pm.You will not need the 2.0 You will need a basking light. Its best to use a regular white house hold bulb for this. The basking site will need to be 85-90F. You may have to try different wattages of bulbs to acheive this. I would start with a 40watt for your setup.
Temperature - around 83F (measured near the top), at night 68F;I'm also using heating mat (mainly to keep the temp at night)You do not need to provide heat at nite unless the temp goes below 50F. A temp drop of at least 10F is good for them, and can help stimulate appetite. If your temp goes below 50F at nite, then use a ceramic heater.
Humidity - between 45%-70% (rest info: 'Watering')
Plants - put the first live plant today: benjamin
Placement - quite a calm area, during the day no one is in it. got a table today: 18" highThe higher up you keep him, the safer he will feel.
Location - Poland, Europe


Please let me know how it looks

My comments in red/\
I think it is a male, but would be nice to see more pictures, of him, and the enclosure.

 

[Lathelia]

1. Yes, i'm using pure calcium now.
2. I forgot to add: I'm using 75W, but it's about 2" above the top.
3. I will try with the heating mat off and monitor the temp.
4. Would you recommend a higher table?

Thanks for comments!

 

[Solid Snake]

1. Yes, i'm using pure calcium now.
2. I forgot to add: I'm using 75W, but it's about 2" above the top.Good, just dont let the whole cage heat up. You want to provide a temp gradient. You may have to put the basking lamp, right on the edge of the cage. That way its not shining full on into the cage. The chameleon will need to be able to choose its temperature at will, in between 70-90F or so.
3. I will try with the heating mat off and monitor the temp.Awsome
4. Would you recommend a higher table?
Yes I would. Like I said, the higher up he is, the more comfortable he will be, and the more he will focus on keeping himself healthy. So if you can place him up higher, its a good idea.
Thanks for comments!

Also, just to clarify, you only need the 5.0. Using the 2.0 and the 5.0 could damage his eyes...

 

[Lathelia]

Here's the enclosure, before I've put the live plant. And the pic of my big guy just to show how big he/she is

 

[Lathelia]

I will upload more photos of enclosure tomorrow, because my baby is sleeping already
I will remove the 2.0 bulb tomorrow, but I think the basking lighting is ok. because it's only in one corner (will be seen in tomorrow's pictures).

Also there's one more thing bothering.. do you think it's on the take him/her out tomorrow in order to refurnish the cage?

 

[Solid Snake]

Looks good. Im sure its even better with the live plant.
It will be fine to handle him.
Just be very careful, at that age especially, they are WAY quicker than you would think! He may scramble so fast he falls, so heads up.
Have him somewhere contained, or where you can keep an eye on him.
It looks like you have the basking set up well
I look forward to more pictures tommarow

 

[Lathelia]

Thanks for all tips!

Any more guesses about the gender?

 

[carol5208]

I think the tail base looks pretty thick, so I am going with a male!

 

[BugCatcher]

My vote is also male.

 

[Lathelia]

Great! 4 votes for male and 1 for female