Archive for April, 2009
The Veiled Chameleon: an Ideal “First Chameleon” and its Care
Apr 17th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here.
Chameleon fanciers are indeed fortunate that the chameleon best suited for captivity, the veiled or concave-casqued chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) is also among the most beautiful and interesting of the group (it is also pathologically anti-social, but so are most of its relatives!). Turquoise, emerald green, yellow and tan, each in many shades, all find a place in this lizard’s repertoire of color changes. Male veiled chameleons approach 2 feet in length while females top out at about 14 inches.
The Casque
The bony, 3-4 inch high casque (helmet-like structure) that crowns the male’s head gives the species its alternative name of “concave-casqued chameleon”. The casque of the female is much smaller.
In addition to conferring the impression of greater size upon its owner – an important consideration in territorial disputes – the casque functions as a water condensation surface. Water gathering on the casque is funneled to the chameleon’s mouth by movable skin flaps, aiding survival in the dry habitats in which this species dwells.
Chameleon Cages
Ample space and ventilation are key in successfully keeping veiled chameleons. Weather permitting, heavily-planted outdoor cages are the ultimate in chameleon homes. Our outdoor aviaries are perfect …housing chameleons in this manner also offers the best chance of breeding success. Our large screen cages and terrarium top add-ons are ideal for indoor maintenance.
Feeding Veiled Chameleons
Dietary variety is an absolute must when it comes to keeping even the hardiest of chameleons, and the veiled is no exception. A diet restricted to crickets and mealworms will lead to your pet’s early demise. The main portion of their diet should be comprised of roaches, crickets, mealworm beetles, super mealworms, butterworms, waxworms, silkworms and tomato hornworms (these last two now available via internet dealers).
Canned Insects
Veiled chameleons also readily accept canned insects from plastic feeding tongs. Grasshoppers, silkworms and others should be used frequently to increase dietary variety.
Wild-Caught Insects
All chameleons become “nutritionally bored” over time, and most eventually refuse once-favored foods that are offered continually. With that in mind, I consider wild-caught insects, collected from pesticide-free areas, to be an essential element of chameleon husbandry. Zoo Med’s Bug Napper is an excellent insect trap.
Sweeping a net through tall grass and searching around outdoor lights will also yield a wide variety of tasty treats…katydids, grasshoppers, cicadas, moths, butterflies, beetles, caterpillars and other insects will all be eagerly accepted.
Nutrient Loading Feeder Insects
Food insects should themselves be given a nutritious diet before being offered to your pets. Please see my article Prepared Diets and Food Supplements for House Crickets for further information.
Leaves and Flowers….for a chameleon?
Oddly for a species belonging to a family of such highly-evolved predators, the veiled chameleon consumes a good deal of vegetation. Favored plant foods include dandelion (flowers and leaves), Ficus, romaine and the flowers of Nasturtium and Hibiscus.
Vitamins and Minerals
Adults fed a varied diet require a vitamin/mineral supplement once or twice weekly; the food of growing chameleons should be supplemented 3-4 times each week.
Further Reading
An interesting article on feral veiled chameleons in Florida is posted at http://www.naherpetology.org/pdf_files/208.pdf.
Future articles will cover the care and breeding of this species in greater detail…meanwhile, please write in with your questions and comments. Thanks, Frank Indiviglio.
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Loading ...HR 669 – The Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Protection Act
Apr 15th
What would the world be like without pets? A new bill proposed in House could make this a reality. All pet owners should be aware of a pending federal government resolution. HR669 stands for House Resolution 669 which is designed to change the way the government classifies non-native species. If passed into law it will have a tremendous impact on keeping pets in America. It will make it illegal to sell and breed many animals common in the pet trade including most species of tropical fish, ferrets, most reptile and amphibian species, corals, and many others. Though That Fish Place/That Pet Place is in favor of an effective invasive species law, we are convinced this is absolutely not the legislation to accomplish that. Please check out my HR669 blog here to find out more and learn what you can do to help prevent this from even being introduced as a proposed law.
Thanks,
Frank
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Scorpions in Captivity – An Overview of Popular Species: Asian Forest Scorpions, Genus Heterometrus
Apr 15th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here.
Note: Please see Scorpions in Captivity – An Overview of Popular Species, Part I for general natural history and captive husbandry information.
Asian Forest Scorpions, Heterometrus spp.
Several species that superficially resemble emperor scorpions are sometimes available in the trade. Known collectively as Asian forest scorpions and hailing from Southeast Asia, the most commonly seen is Heterometrus spinifer. Like the emperor, it is jet black in color, but the claws have fewer spikes and its maximum size is 6 inches.
Basic Care
I keep Heterometrus in much the same way as I have described for emperor scorpions (Please see Scorpions in Captivity – An Overview of Popular Species: The Emperor Scorpion, Pandinus imperator). Like their African cousins, Asian forest scorpions are also quite social…a group of 10 that I housed together in an exhibit at the Bronx Zoo co-existed for years without incident. They seem to be quite temperature sensitive, and are best maintained at 78-85 F. The gestation period is 5-8 months and sexual maturity is reached in 1-3 years.
Asian forest scorpions are somewhat more high-strung than emperors, and sting readily. Heterometrus spinifer is not considered dangerous to healthy adults, but the closely related H. swammerdami of India (which, at 10-12 inches in length, is among the world’s longest scorpions) has reportedly caused fatalities.
Asian forest scorpions and emperor scorpions are both classified within the Family Scorpionidae. Further information and a complete listing of all related species is available at http://www.ub.ntnu.no/scorpion-files/scorpionidae.php.
Please write in with your comments and questions…suggestions as to other species you would like to read about would be most appreciated. Thanks, until next time, Frank Indiviglio.
(+2 rating, 2 votes) Loading ...Amphibian Update: Mexican Axolotls Kick off the Spring Breeding Season
Apr 13th
Lengthening days and warmer temperatures are beginning to register on amphibian pets nationwide, stirring long-dormant breeding urges. Last week I was please to find that a 2 year old female axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) which I paired with an older male had produced eggs for the first time. A week or so earlier a reader informed me of another spontaneous axolotl breeding.
Mexican axolotls are an ideal choice for the prospective amphibian breeder, and are becoming ever more popular each year. With spring upon us, I thought I might pass along some photos of my pair and their eggs, along with a few tips.
The Aquarium and Filter
The eggs pictured here are set up in a PLA House Plastic Cage equipped with a Small World Filter. PLA House Cages are available in 6 sizes, and their light weight allows for easy water changes. I have found them indispensible in my collection, and always have a number on hand.
The Small World Filter is ideal for use with amphibian larvae, as the water return is directed upwards and so does hamper weak swimmers. Sponge filters work equally well. I use an air pump that provides just enough aeration to keep the eggs slightly in motion.
Providing Cover
Axolotl eggs are typically attached to plants or other structures, as seen in the accompanying photo. Once they begin to hatch, I’ll add additional plants, nearly filling the tank so as to separate the larvae a bit and reduce cannibalism. Plastic plants set in bases are very useful, as they provide shelter throughout the water column. The Cypress Mat provides excellent cover on the bottom of the aquarium, where the larvae will be spending most of their time.
Feeding Axolotl Larvae
Finely chopped live blackworms form the basis of my diet for newly hatched larvae…a worm feeder lessens the likelihood of the worms clumping together (larvae often choke while trying to swallow large balls of worms). A brine shrimp hatchery is also useful, and larvae can sometimes be induced to accept freeze dried daphnia and other invertebrates as well.
Further Reading
Pleased see my article Breeding Mexican Axolotls for additional breeding recommendations.
Please write in with your questions and breeding reports – I’ll be sure to highlight them in future articles. Thanks, until next time, Frank Indiviglio
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Feeding ReptoMin Select-A-Food to Aquatic Frogs, Turtles, Newts, Tadpoles and Shrimp
Apr 10th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. ReptoMin Floating Food sticks have long been recognized as a valuable dietary staple for many aquatic reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates, and are used in zoos and private collections worldwide. A new version, ReptoMin Select-A-Food, contains the original food sticks as well as freeze dried plankton and shrimp. The size of the individual food items is geared towards smaller creatures, and each ingredient is housed in its own compartment, allowing for careful control of your pet’s food intake.
My Experience
ReptoMin Food Sticks are unique in that they form a nearly complete diet for quite a few species…the addition of freeze dried invertebrates increases the product’s value immensely. I have used Reptomin Foods Sticks while caring for herps in the Bronx Zoo’s collection, as well as for my own pets, since its introduction, and most other professional zookeepers do the same. Following is a brief summary of those species for which I have used it as a major component of the diet.
Amphibians
50-75% of the diet of African clawed frogs (several species) and of fire-bellied, red-spotted, California, ribbed, alpine and crested newts, among others.
80-90% of the diet of Mexican axolotls and of larvae over 1 month old.
50-75% of the diets of the larvae of numerous salamanders, including spotted, marbled, tiger and fire salamanders.
50-75% of the diets of numerous tadpoles, including American and African bullfrogs, green frogs, edible frogs, American toads, Wallace’s flying frogs, Australian bell frogs and horned frogs (several species).
Turtles
Except for live food specialists such as the mata mata, nearly every aquatic and semi-aquatic turtle relishes ReptoMin and freeze dried shrimp. Due to the high calcium needs of growing turtles, I tend to supplement their diets quite frequently with whole fishes and crayfish as well. I vary the percentage of ReptoMin with the species and situation, but usually rely upon it heavily.
I have used ReptoMin for 50-75% of the diets of hatchling red-eared sliders and snapping turtles, and 30-40% of the diets of spotted, painted, musk, Asian box, Bornean pond and many other turtle species.
Invertebrates
Reptomin is eagerly accepted by crayfishes, fresh water shrimp and most aquatic snails, as well as a number of terrestrial invertebrates – millipedes, roaches, snails, crickets and sow bugs.
Larger Animals
For those pets that require larger food items as they grow (i.e. the huge African clawed frog pictured here) you can offer the same basic nutrients by switching from Select-A-Food to a combination of ReptoMin Food Sticks, ReptoTreat Suprema Food Sticks (krill) and ReptoTreat Gammarus Shrimp.
Further Reading
For a look at another very useful food item for aquatic animals, please see my article Zoo Med’s Canned Shrimp .
Please write in and tell me about your own experiences with ReptoMin and other such foods. Thanks, until next time, Frank Indiviglio.
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