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Got a male Mellers today!

booradley Aug 02, 2003 10:35 PM

Hes awesome! 14 months old and eating like a champ. Seems to like his new tree. LOL. I hope to have pics up soon. Does anyone have any advice for me? I'm always hunting for more info. I know the basics for chams and the specifics for this guy but nothing beats experience. I've dealt with Jacksons before personally and Veileds for a friend so let me know.

Bill

Replies (9)

jcunitz Aug 02, 2003 10:47 PM

mellers is a species that not too many people really know about. i happen to currently have a mellers that i have raised since he was 5 months old. i would be glad to answer any questions that you may have. the best luck that i have had is treating them like my veileds for temp wise, and for humidity, fairly high.

chameleonman27 Aug 02, 2003 11:49 PM

These animals should not be imported it is a crying shame that they are , this animal harbours heavy parasite loads and is an extremely shy ceature, even captive born babies do not fare well I have been breding chameleons for almost 7 years and would definitely not reccomend this animal to anyone they usually die within 6 months of purchase so be prepared, please leave these animals alone they are not ment for captivity i watched the last one i had wither away and not eat for about 10 weeks it was horrible he went on a hunger strike for no apparent reason it was so sad i have had around 5 and all of them within 2 years perished do yourself and these animals a favor and leave them where they be in Tanzania, stick with the Calyptratus or Pardalis Quadricornis or Jacksonii, they are a much much much better choice Nick Viola's Chameleon paradise

jcunitz Aug 03, 2003 12:46 AM

my mellers is part of a breeding project of mine. i will attempt to produce captive bred offspring, eventually creating a trade in captive bred mellers, lessening the importation of this species. i agree with the importation of all chams being wrong and unjust, especially the way that they are usually treated, but you have to start somewhere.

booradley Aug 03, 2003 10:03 PM

I agree that most chameleons are treated absolutely horribly when imported. But you do have to start somewhere in order to make CB animals readily available. I also hope to breed my guy and get people educated on a magnificent creature. A local shop has had some success so I hope to continue where they left off. Thank you all for your info and the offers of advice. I'll let you know how things go. My guy ate today just fine and drank quite readily. He does hide alot in his tree but he seems comfortable walking near me.

rkreptiles Aug 03, 2003 07:14 AM

Here are some links to some good Melleri information. Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions you might have as I am always willing to help out specially with the C.Melleri, while some others prefer to spout their political self righteous attitudes than help.

http://www.chameleonnews.com/year2002/nov2002/nov2002index.html

http://www.adcham.com/html/taxonomy/species/chmelleri.html
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Rob Trenor
RK Reptiles
Your source for Quality Import and Captive Born
Chameleons from around the World

Please read our entire terms for purchase on our website
http://www.rkreptiles.com

We accept online credit card payments through PAYPAL
Please click below to make a payment.
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micky-kennie Aug 04, 2003 10:44 PM

How do you guys house your mellers? Is it in a cage, if so how big? If not, how do you give the chameleon the proper requirements in a free range situation? Thanks!

booradley Aug 04, 2003 11:25 PM

My Mellers isn't that large yet. He/she is in a 65 Gal Reptarium but thats obviously very temporary. I'm fortunate enough to go to a school with several greenhouses. The plan is to put a large screen enclosure over one of our trees during the school year. For the times when I am home I plan to build my own enclosure. I don't think there really is anything on the market right now of that size. I'm thinking 6x3x3 at least. I'd like to have a pair in the future though.

Bill

jcunitz Aug 04, 2003 11:38 PM

mine is currently in a 24x24x48 which is also a temporary fix, as he is already 18" total length. i plan for a 36x36x72 down the road. they want 350 to make one, so i will have to build one.

rkreptiles Aug 05, 2003 07:26 AM

If you would like to read the November issue of Chameleonsonline.com you can see pictures of my outdoor housing for the Mellers as well as read my acclimation process on the ones that I import.

http://www.chameleonnews.com/year2002/nov2002/nov2002index.html
-----
Rob Trenor
RK Reptiles
Your source for Quality Import and Captive Born
Chameleons from around the World

Please read our entire terms for purchase on our website
http://www.rkreptiles.com

We accept online credit card payments through PAYPAL
Please click below to make a payment.
https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=sales@rkreptiles.com

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