Sailfin Chameleon Tips

[Hoyo12]

I recently purchased a pair of WC Chamaeleo cristatus - being recently imported, my biggest concern is that they are infested with internal parasites. They both seem fairly thin, but are drinking water directly from the mister whenever it is time to be misted. They seem to have trouble eating though, as I've watched the female go after a cricket with no success, but I did see the male eat yesterday. They are in a fairly large enclosure (72" x 18" x 29", nothing too high being a species that prefers being closer to the ground in the wild), with a 60watt UVA bulb and a 5.0 UVB exo terra bulb on opposite sides on the enclosure. Plenty of places to climb and hide as well.
- The female seems gravid, she tends to stick towards the bottom of the cage, and is not very active. Are these normal signs of her being gravid?
- Would it be recommended to take them to the vet, despite not knowing if anything is wrong with them quite yet? (Pay check this week, so I was planning on doing so anyway)
I really don't want to loose these guys, they arrived on Thursday. I'll post pictures soon. Hoping to find someone who has kept the species before, or has had similar experiences.

 

[Hoyo12]

78F and 85% Humidity for extra information.

 

[Vicious_Fish]

Make sure you give them plenty of cover and keep them well hydrated. You can take solo drinking cups and clip them to branches and then dump crickets or whatever you're feeding into them. That way the food stays in the cup and the chams have an easier time catching food.

 

[felix453]

I was talking to a guy that breeds many species of chameleons recently and he said that almost 90% of sailfin chameleons die because of lack of water and humidity. Id take them to an experienced reptile vet either wat though. Best of luck with them!

 

[Hoyo12]

Make sure you give them plenty of cover and keep them well hydrated. You can take solo drinking cups and clip them to branches and then dump crickets or whatever you're feeding into them. That way the food stays in the cup and the chams have an easier time catching food.

I did try the cup thing this morning, but they literally walked right past the crickets. Not sure why they won't bother with it -

I was talking to a guy that breeds many species of chameleons recently and he said that almost 90% of sailfin chameleons die because of lack of water and humidity. Id take them to an experienced reptile vet either wat though. Best of luck with them!

I will be taking them to the vet, and keeping them hydrated is priority #1. Both have been drinking very well, and are directly watered twice a day - humidity is staying fairly high as well.

 

[Hoyo12]

Pics of the two - female look gravid at all? Notice the 'lumps' close to the base of her tail.




EDIT: Just because I'm 90% that those are eggs, any recommendations on a nesting box? And should I bring her to the vet before or after she has laid the eggs? Don't want to stress her out anymore than she already is, especially is she is planning on laying eggs soon.

 

[Edwardo]

Yes, they look thin in general, especially around the tail base and the back of the rear legs, I dont have any experiance with this species though.
One of the problems buying freshly wild caught stuff like that is, its already been through so much trama and neglect from the time it was collected, that by the time you actually receive it, which could be weeks or months, its knocking on deaths door.
This is why people buy captive born or at least long term captive. you will save yourself so many hassles and headaches. Good luck

 

[Hoyo12]

Yes, they look thin in general, especially around the tail base and the back of the rear legs, I dont have any experiance with this species though.
One of the problems buying freshly wild caught stuff like that is, its already been through so much trama and neglect from the time it was collected, that by the time you actually receive it, which could be weeks or months, its knocking on deaths door.
This is why people buy captive born or at least long term captive. you will save yourself so many hassles and headaches. Good luck

That was the plan with these two was for captive born baby chameleons at some point - as it can be difficult to find breeders of these specific species. Figured I would take a go at it to see what I could do. I suppose the bonus if the female is gravid. Just wonder what the vet will be able to do.

 

[Hoyo12]

Female passed last night- continued drinking, but just wouldn't take food. The male is eating and drinking...well...when he feels like it...and when he doesn't... Saw him drink yesterday, but not today. Hand fed him two calcium coated crickets today, as eventually becoming annoyed by the cricket, he opens his mouth just in time to get a cricket in it. So at least he got food!

Looking for another female, if anyone comes across one, please let me know.