New Article: Senegal Chameleons, Health Problems

[findi]

Hi All,
Please check out: Senegal & Related Chameleons – Common Health Issues
The Senegal Chameleon (Chamaeleo senegalensis) occupies a unique position in the pet trade. Inexpensive and widely available, it can be a hearty captive if given proper care. However, this West African native is more easily collected than bred, so most that become available are wild-caught. Collection and shipment, hard on any creature, is particularly difficult for chameleons to endure. As a result, a variety of health problems are commonly seen in newly-acquired Senegal Chameleons. Read article here: http://blogs.thatpetplace.com/thatr...s-and-related-species-common-health-problems/
Comments and questions appreciated

Thanks, Frank

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[lizardminion]

Frank, mi amigo, I like your articles. Keep up the good work!
Any info on the central american banded gecko? You should post an article on these guys to get some info about them up on the web.
Maybe to boost their status in the trade as well...

 

[Anthony Jensen]

Any info on the central american banded gecko?

yes, definitely. not to much info on these guys at all. they're pretty awesome looking

 

[findi]

Frank, mi amigo, I like your articles. Keep up the good work!
Any info on the central american banded gecko? You should post an article on these guys to get some info about them up on the web.
Maybe to boost their status in the trade as well...

Thanks, Ryan, much appreciated. Good idea on the bandeds; I've kept a few related species in zoos, and I think there is sometimes confusion between the various Mexican/CA species, and also re the Texas Banded. Do you see Coleonyx mitratus most often in the trade? I see you're in Texas...have you kept the local species?

Best, Frank

 

[Anthony Jensen]

Frank, how do you personally keep the C. mitratus? I've found some of the C. variegatus abboti but never kept them. They're very cool animals

 

[findi]

Frank, how do you personally keep the C. mitratus? I've found some of the C. variegatus abboti but never kept them. They're very cool animals

Hi, sorry for the delay.

I've kept more Yucatan Banded Geckos (C. elegans) than C. mitratus, but both did well under similar conditions.

Day temps 74-82F, dip at night; some bred w/o winter chill but let me know if you are interested in cooling them.

UVB not necessary as far as is known.

Moist hideaways (peat, sphagnum filled caves) and dry, as well as moist and dry sections of the enclosure should be available. Humidity prob averaged 50% but no need to measure if moist caves available.

Most use below-tank pads or tapes for heat. I find they do not always warm air sufficiently, and so prefer ceramic heat emitters or red/black night lights, alone or in conjunction w/tapes. Both can dry substrate/air.

Water in bowl and sprayed during evening.

High dietary variety, as is best for all insectivorous lizards. I wrote linked article re chameleons, but most is applicable. Would appreciate your thoughts on content, as many different opinions on some points; pl feel free to post comments after article, as others would enjoy. No prob if no time, I get notices of comments from this site and my blog and so will see either way.

http://blogs.thatpetplace.com/thatr...leon-diets-the-best-foods-for-pet-chameleons/

Some report that they will consume calcium from a bowl; I've not seen this and so supplement as described in article.

Thanks, best, Frank