Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[neep_neep]

Hi all,

Just after a bit of advice really

I am interested in getting a trio of pygmies (most likely 1.2 R. brevicaudatus - unless anybody suggests a species or group size more suitable?) and was hoping someone could shed some light on their accommodation arrangements.

I've seen a fair few caresheets, all quite different in what they recommend...

One has suggested the 12"x12"x12" Exo-terra as suitable for a trio, others have said that they do not need height as they tend to dwell on the forest floor but should still be reasonably spacious, and others have said that they should be taller than long (preferably 24" tall) as they are avid climbers!

So I was just wondering what has worked best for people here? I can see why the smaller exo-terra is suggested (easier to catch food) but then of course I can see why the larger vivs would be suggested (benefit of more living space per cham).

I know that a couple of people on here keep and breed these, so your input would be most appreciated

Thanks!
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Sophie

[kroakykaren]

Hi neep neep a 12/12 exo would be fine for a trio of youngsters or a pair of adults i feel, i have a group in a 2ft high by 18 inch hex tank at the moment with about 4 inches of substrate and well planted with small ficus and mini bay trees, In my experience keeping these chams i have found they do like to climb and mine arnt often on the floor unless digging to lay, i have also kept them in a 2ft tank by about 15 high, as long as they have plenty to climb on i.e a nice network of thin branches and plants etc i feel either a horizontal setup or an arboreal set up would work equally well, i will try and sort out some pics of my tanks for you if thats any help
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[neep_neep]

Thanks for the response karen

I would love to see a pic of your setup if at all possible

It sounds as though I would be better off going for the taller exo-terra (12x12x18) - do you think this would be acceptable for a trio of adults? Or would it be best just to stick with a pair? Or does the extra height not add enough extra space for the third adult?

Sorry for all the questions I just want to make sure that i'm doing everything right.

Oh, and are they sexable as juveniles?

Thanks
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Sophie

[sam.b]

hi i had a group of4 in an 12l x 12d x 18h exo terra with no prob i was advised this by the breeder and would agree with having a deep substrate i used eco earth mixed with sand as they breed fairly easily and can become egg bound if its not deep enough to lay i filled mine up to the doors. feed them small crickets every other day dust them 3 times a week spray them twice a day and keep them a bit on the cool side and thats all i can remember off the top of my head oh year and they're are really cool
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too much to list??!!

[Saedcantas]

I'd certainly agree with Karen, in my experience these little guys spend little time on the floor, save for the occaisional ungainly march around the substrate!
Particularly at night they'll be much happier with greater height, they get pretty stressed out if they cannot get up high, when the lights go off you'll see them form a ridiculous acrobatic pyramid on the highest twig to get furthest from the ground It's super cute!

I'd echo the others and say a 12" x 12" x 18" is suitable for a trio, a good 4 inch substrate will keep your females happily laying tic tac sized eggs all over the show Peat moss or coco fibre will work well
The most important factor in your success will be your ability to keep them cool enough, one too hot day and you can easily come home to all of them dead Make sure they're kept humid and cool.

As for sexing them, with a little practise from an early age it should be fairly apparent but as always, the older they are the easier it is to tell. Males tend to be more slender, smaller in general, patterned and striped (especially on the eye turrets) when unstressed also and have longer tails.
Females are stockier looking and more rounded all over, unless stressed they're generally plain coloured with shorter stumpier tails

I've attached a few pics, they're all males by the way and it pains me to have taken such poorly focused pictures, but it's definitely not easy taking photos of 6 week old pygmy chams!

[Saedcantas]

eep, sorry about the size of that first one

[neep_neep]

That's brilliant, thank you so much for all the advice and info!

Humid and cool I can do, same as my Goni's

Great photos, I can't imagine how teeny the hatchlings must be! They really do look like such little characters, I am very taken with their grumpy faces

Thanks again, I shall be having a think on these....and if my self-control is anything to go by, I bet i'll be having some new arrivals in the next month or so
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Sophie

[Saedcantas]

Grumpy little faces is about right, somehow those downturned little mouths look so comical you can't help but love em eh
I forgot to mention the added intrigue of their playing dead and vibration trick, it's super cool but they get more chilled out as they get older and dont seem to need to do that quite so much!

Good luck on getting some and there's so many people about on forums like these breeding them that you should be ok to find some unrelated males and females from breeders
Have fun!
Lotte***

[kroakykaren]

Sorry its taken me so long i have that many pics on my comp it takes ages to find them


Both those tanks are 18/12/12 i will keep searching for more pics
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[neep_neep]

Playing dead and vibrating? Sounds intriguing! I shall have to keep an eye out for that

Thanks for the photos karen, that's given me a bit of inspiration! I have a dead Ficus sitting around which has some nice twigs on it....I knew I kept it for a reason!

Just out of interest, is it recommended for these guys to have running water (waterfall/dripper) as opposed to water sititng in a bowl, like the larger chameleons do? Or would a small waterfall pose a risk?
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Sophie