Yellow lip parsons chameleons and their palace

[Extensionofgreen]

I've had many herp, plant, and aquarium hobbies over the years. Chameleon keeping, fish, and arachnids are my top 3 picks for most enjoyable and rewarding, with tortoises a close 4th. The chameleons below have been with me almost a year and are a 2/3 grown ( in length not weight ) pair of yellow lip parsonii, coming from Eastern Madagascar. They are the heaviest species of chameleons and in contention with one another species for largest chameleon. Their eggs can take up to 24 months to hatch and they require a semi dormant state as adults to cycle and for the incubation of the eggs. This is referred to as brumation and coincides with Madagascar's dry, cool, Winter, where the higher elevation rainforests dip down into the 40sF and the day time highs are in the 60sF. They are a challenge and up until just a few years ago, imports of them were banned for over 20 years! It's very exciting to work with these guys and I hope you all enjoy the photos.

 

[aphono]

Wow, those look nicer than many zoo enclosures! Good luck with breeding this species.

 

[spotropaicsav]

I've had many herp, plant, and aquarium hobbies over the years. Chameleon keeping, fish, and arachnids are my top 3 picks for most enjoyable and rewarding, with tortoises a close 4th. The chameleons below have been with me almost a year and are a 2/3 grown ( in length not weight ) pair of yellow lip parsonii, coming from Eastern Madagascar. They are the heaviest species of chameleons and in contention with one another species for largest chameleon. Their eggs can take up to 24 months to hatch and they require a semi dormant state as adults to cycle and for the incubation of the eggs. This is referred to as brumation and coincides with Madagascar's dry, cool, Winter, where the higher elevation rainforests dip down into the 40sF and the day time highs are in the 60sF. They are a challenge and up until just a few years ago, imports of them were banned for over 20 years! It's very exciting to work with these guys and I hope you all enjoy the photos.

Wow clearly you have a talent and a passion, thanks for sharing. Beautiful animals and enclosures!

 

[schmiggle]

These enclosures are stunning! The enclosure is almost more interesting than the chameleon The chameleons, though, are beautiful and healthy looking to my untrained eye as well. Those appear to be live plants you've got (a sensible choice for increasing ambient humidity), may I ask what species you have? (I see tillandsia xerographica, an excellent choice)

 

[Extensionofgreen]

There are so many species in there! Several types of draceana, a few ficus, miracle fruit tree, cinnamon tree, false aralia, cetanthe, zebra plant, crossandra, caladium, a tropical magnolia species, schefflera, bamboo palm, gunmetal palm, glory bower/ aka bleeding heart vine, charicature plant, a ginger species, orchids, neoregelia bromeliads, the tillandsia, albutilon, kohleria, gesneria, pothos, spider plant, and other things I've tucked in here and there.
Thanks everyone for the appreciation of my efforts. I always strive to keep living things I'm conditions beyond adequate and I'm the case of Wild caught animals, I especially want them to feel as free and at home as possible. They didn't ask to be displaced by our activities or captured and caged for our entertainment. They deserve more than I can provide, but I give my best.

 

[spotropaicsav]

There are so many species in there! Several types of draceana, a few ficus, miracle fruit tree, cinnamon tree, false aralia, cetanthe, zebra plant, crossandra, caladium, a tropical magnolia species, schefflera, bamboo palm, gunmetal palm, glory bower/ aka bleeding heart vine, charicature plant, a ginger species, orchids, neoregelia bromeliads, the tillandsia, albutilon, kohleria, gesneria, pothos, spider plant, and other things I've tucked in here and there.
Thanks everyone for the appreciation of my efforts. I always strive to keep living things I'm conditions beyond adequate and I'm the case of Wild caught animals, I especially want them to feel as free and at home as possible. They didn't ask to be displaced by our activities or captured and caged for our entertainment. They deserve more than I can provide, but I give my best.

Love! We just purchased some Draceana and snake plant

 

[Ratmosphere]

Incredible setup!

 

[Extensionofgreen]

I forgot about the Fatsia japonica, which is the plant to right, in the foreground, with large, maple shaped, leaves. They are great plants for a tropical look and make good outdoor and houseplants, too.

 

[CWilson1351]

I clicked on this just hoping to see a chameleon I wasn't familiar with. Instead I get that, some good information, and pictures of some of the absolute best natural enclosure setups I've EVER seen for any animal. Thank you for sharing with us, I hope everything goes well for the potential breeding!

 

[Scorpionluva]

Wow those are some beautiful enclosures you built and gorgeous chameleons also ! I really hope you get to hatch them successfully as ill be trying to get some from you for sure

 

[Galapoheros]

I was surprised as well, I only expected to see a chameleon on a stick. The pics look like they were taken at a zoo, are those kept at your personal property?

 

[Extensionofgreen]

Yes, they are kept in my basement. I've seen chameleons kept in zoos and have been very disappointed. Chameleons are very prone to stress and need plenty of cover. Living plants require attention to detail and a coordination between the needs of the animals and the needs of the plants. The set-up has automatic misting, staggered lighting to simulate sunrise and sunset, external drainage, and other accommodation that make it possible to keep the plants and chameleons happy and healthy.

 

[Scorpionluva]

Sounds like you have it all covered better than any of the breeders/keepers of any type of chameleon ive seen before.

 

[Tleilaxu]

What type of lighting system are you using?