pygmy chams

BlackRose · #1 (**permalink**) 18-05-2008, 02:19 AM

there was a post about this im sure but my psp is so slow so dont wanna go searching for it. how do you set up a viv with full uv and heat for one of these little guys with it being so small? what can you keep them in? and there is such a shortage of micro crix around by me and they die so quickly that i wouldnt know what else to feed it? cant buy online so cant get hold of fruit flys. are these little creatures fast or do they dance like other chams? can they change colour and are they handleable? thanks

Gehyra · #2 (**permalink**) 18-05-2008, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackRose

there was a post about this im sure but my psp is so slow so dont wanna go searching for it. how do you set up a viv with full uv and heat for one of these little guys with it being so small? what can you keep them in? and there is such a shortage of micro crix around by me and they die so quickly that i wouldnt know what else to feed it? cant buy online so cant get hold of fruit flys. are these little creatures fast or do they dance like other chams? can they change colour and are they handleable? thanks

Densely planted viv, well ventilated, mesh viv with a pot plant, hibiscus is ideal. Room temp only, 20c-23c, max 25c and then only for short periods, temp drop at night 10c-15c. Misting twice a day to keep humidity up and allow chams to drink. UV light beneficial for plants, not essential for the cham.
How big a tank, and how many together? Depends on the species, don't overcrowd them, don't keep males together. Chams do stress, and stress kills.
Feeding; If you can't get your hands on a regular supply of food, don't get them. They're eating machines, and can handle quite a mouthful. Micro crickets would be more for juveniles and the smaller species. Adults of most species can handle 10mm crickets with ease. Fruit flies, curly wing flies, waxworm larvae (small), small house spiders can all add to a varied diet. Any decent pet shop should be able to order food supplies if you can't do so yourself. Order once then culture your own.
As with all chams they tend to dance, although can show some speed if something takes their eye. Can be quite aggressive with each other, knocking each other from a branch is not uncommon. A stubborn male with a reluctant female is pretty much going to result in such.
Colour change is still there, but not to the extent of the more colourful members of the family. They look like a dead leaf, and stay like that, can go from light grey to black, and all the shades of brown in between. Eye turrets the exception, many species have bright blue turrets.
Handle them, yes for short periods, they will climb onto a finger if you place it in front of them. Be careful though, it's hard for them to get a decent grip on something so thick as your finger.
If you can keep them alive, and happy, they're very rewarding. Active during daylight hours, they make a nice display tank, if somewhat hard to spot. Short lived (3years), but prolific breeders once they start.

Athravan · #3 (**permalink**) 18-05-2008, 08:37 AM

Our adults can take number 2 crickets or number 1/2 hoppers fine, they are not so small as adults to need micro crickets, but they do eat quite a lot for their size! I keep mine with a 2% UVB which is mounted on a shelf above the exo terra, which is a 30 x 30 x 45, great for a pair or trio. I don't use a basking light, and although I have a heat mat it's on a thermostat and in the room they are in is never likely to actually be used.

BlackRose · #4 (**permalink**) 18-05-2008, 11:21 AM

i havnt the space for a bigger sp of cham but always wanted one so one of these may be ideal. how many diff types of pygmy cham are there? what sp are yours athravan? breeding wnjuld be great but if i were to be a first time cham owner prob not for me just yet, so only thinking of one really. so they get to about 2inches? do they have the exo terras with mesh top or can they have an exo terra faunarium on its side or something home made?lots of vents.so has to be a live plant?do they bite hard?

vetdebbie · #5 (**permalink**) 18-05-2008, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackRose

i havnt the space for a bigger sp of cham but always wanted one so one of these may be ideal. how many diff types of pygmy cham are there? what sp are yours athravan? breeding wnjuld be great but if i were to be a first time cham owner prob not for me just yet, so only thinking of one really. so they get to about 2inches? do they have the exo terras with mesh top or can they have an exo terra faunarium on its side or something home made?lots of vents.so has to be a live plant?do they bite hard?

The common species in the trade go to about 4 inches adult (looking at mine). LOTS of species - check out www.pygmychameleon.co.uk for a species list. Generally they don't like a lot of ventilation and need highish humidity so glass exoterras are great. Planting doesn't need to be live but looks better if it is, and females like to dig in the roots to bury their eggs. Breeding is not hard to be fair - they just kind of get on with it. I have a trio in a 45x45x45.
Biting - Quite frankly i'd like to see them try poor wee things - never going to fit your finger in their mouth! They don't bite at all.

vetdebbie · #6 (**permalink**) 18-05-2008, 02:30 PM

Feeding - my adults are on size 3's, 5 month juvies on size 2 crickets and babies on micros. Didn't realise that micros were hard to come by? ALways in stock in my local rep shop. DOn't tend to die any more than the larger sizes if you feed them etc as you should anyway!

BlackRose · #7 (**permalink**) 18-05-2008, 02:38 PM

thanks. thats why i thought plastic exo terras would be ok, cos theres alot of small vents, but as reptile cymru have confirmed, the vents wouldnt be at the top on a faunarium on its side so prob wouldnt be any good. oh well. can you post a pic if possible pls of the size cricket adults need? i think i know what you mean but i get confused with all the levels.

vetdebbie · #8 (**permalink**) 18-05-2008, 03:09 PM

I'm not sure a pic would help (it'd get resized!!) As said before prob up to 10mm length. I think when ordering from livefoods.co.uk it used to be the "small" or small/medium variety (2nd or 3rd instar)

BlackRose · #9 (**permalink**) 18-05-2008, 05:34 PM

would i be able to make a homemade viv for it?

vetdebbie · #10 (**permalink**) 18-05-2008, 10:47 PM

Can't see why not........as long as you have the diy skills!!

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