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Combine C. melanosterna

willum Jan 15, 2007 09:22 AM

Hi everyone,
I have a question, is it possible to combine the C. melanosterna with an other specie? I have a vivarium (terrarium) of 2.20x1.10x2.40 meters. I have heard that it is possible to combine these with the hydrosaurus ambionensis? Is it also possible to combine them with other species or should I better leave them alone?

I'm sorry if my english isn't quite as good, but I am trying to do my best.

Replies (15)

kboht Jan 15, 2007 09:32 AM

I would't do that at all. A better choice could be Tubinambis.

Are you from Holland?

Cheers
Karsten

willum Jan 15, 2007 09:33 AM

yes i am from holland.

Why should i combine with a tupinambis? these animals are much larger/heavier so wouldn't they fight or so?

kboht Jan 15, 2007 09:37 AM

Because Tubinambis are ground lizards and not very aggressive.

Dou you know anyone with melanosterna offspring? I understand that Wim van de Heuvel don't breed them any more.

willum Jan 15, 2007 09:43 AM

he stoped indeed, I know one other person who has offspring from the melanosterna. But he said that he also would stop.

I send you a message, but i cant find how i can read my own messages so i post i here to..

tgreb Jan 15, 2007 10:45 AM

I have been in contact with Wim and Henk Zwartepoorte and it seems as though a lot of people over there stopped breeding due to not being able to get rid of young. It takes a person dedicated to keeping ctenosaura to want them. They make very poor "pets" and it seems there are not many people dedicated to the conservation of ctenosaura. Most common lizard owners want something they can hold and cuddle like a bearded dragon. I tell these peole go buy a puppy. LOL. Very nice to have you guys on the forum. Tom Greb

tgreb Jan 15, 2007 10:51 AM

You should not mix those species. It is never good to mix species from different parts of the world. I would even be afraid to mix them with tegus. I have seen many tegus that are very aggressive feeders and the movement of ctenos could trigger a feeding response. I also would not mix them with palearis because I do believe that those 2 species can integrate. It would be very bad news I think to make hybrids of these species. Melanosterna are becoming very rare in the wild from the last report I've seen and we should try to keep them pure at all cost. I hope you breed your melanosterna. Tom

willum Jan 15, 2007 03:57 PM

well, I am trying to get offspring from them. I had one clutch of 22 eggs, but those weren't firtigled (I do not know the excact word for it). My animals are about three years old, so I hope to breed with them soon.

The problem in the netherlands with these species is that people do not really appreciate them. They are not familiair with the ctenosaura sp. and when they ask about it, often people (who don't really know anything about them) say they are very hard to keep etcetera. This way not many people are even trying to get the hands on some animals.

I had mine with very much luck. These are offspring of Wim van den Heuvel.

Is there anyone who can give me some additional information about breeding these animals? I am trying hard to get information about that, but there isn't much information about that on the internet or something.

And if someone knows an other female for sale (netherlands, germany or belgium) Please let me know. I'm searching for a long time now but i can't find any.

Regarding the number of animals in the wild, I heard something like that lately, does anyone know about how much animals there are still living in the wild?

kboht Jan 16, 2007 12:13 AM

Nice to be here....

Yes. That seems to be the reason. When I last met Wim a couple of years ago it was quiet unpossible for him to get rid of his offspring.

It is very strange how small the world is. A friend of mine in the 90ies "Dirk Braun" (mentioned in Gunther Koehler Book) did the first breeding on melanosterna (when they was sort as palearis) in Germany. I bought years ago offspring from the Zoo in Rotterdam (Netherlands). Wim told me that the parents of that offspring are from the breeding line of Dirk Braun.

Talked yesterday with someone in Germany with a single female and offspring. He had 13 juveniles. Right know. 5 left because the other died. Eventually, he likes to hold 1,2 by himeslefe I can get 2 if they are still alive.

Any information on offspring in Europe is welcome...

willum Jan 16, 2007 01:40 AM

hello,

Are there more melanosterna's for sale for what you know (females)? I have a couple now, but I want a second female, I can't find any and I have contacted with Tobias Eisenberg for example but he doesn't know either. Wim van den Heuvel doesn't now either. I am looking for a female which is a couple of years old, so not juveniles.

kboht Jan 16, 2007 01:53 AM

The guy I talked to yesteraday has only a single female and is looking at least for 1,0 or better 1,1.

You must watch the common classfield-platforms. But watch out; I am faster *LOL*

willum Jan 16, 2007 01:54 AM

are you from holland to? or from germany/belgium or something?

kboht Jan 16, 2007 01:57 AM

I am from Germany.. -> kboht(AT)yahoo.com

willum Jan 16, 2007 02:06 AM

I have added you to my msn (i do not know if you have that?) This way we can exchange some information and so.

kboht Jan 16, 2007 02:15 AM

great. would be better to write me an email...

willum Jan 16, 2007 02:36 AM

i've send you an email..
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1.1.0 Ctenosaura melanosterna

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