Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i just received an order of Corytophanes that were suposed to be all C. Cristatus, but much to my delight I discovered that some were obviously differently colored than the others. I know that C. Cristatus is a very diverse group beause of the wide distribution but anyway,
I thnk I have mostly C. Cristatus but I believe I may have 1 C. Percarinatus & 2 Hernandesi.

Can anyone give me a definitive description so that I can definitely identify the description of each of these animals? It is imperative that I know what they are. It may be that they are all Cristatus but I swear I have 3 groups that look completely different (at least by color & location of the color patterns) The only thing they all have in comon is white serrated dewlaps.

Thanks
G

Darn, wish I had checked here first before answering you on the ig forum.

From a husbandry point of view, I believe C.cristatus is very similar to the agamids that comprise 'mountain dragon' family. I believe that Corytophanes requires a vertically oriented environment, high-humidity, UV lighting, but higher ambient temps than many of the Acanthosaura species that people here keep.

Much like acclimating MHD's, I strongly urge you to get fecal exams on your group.

Definitely post your progress with these guys. Like MHD's, in my opinion, this is another great species that is generally misunderstood (from a husbandry perspective) and overlooked in the hobby.

Don M.

Thank you for the advice. I have quite a bit of experience in keeping these lizards healthy. But my experience has been limited to C. Cristatus.
I have determined that I do not have C. Hernandesi but Imay passibly have C. percarinatus. Just from the pictures I have seen. They don't look have any distinctive physical characteristics from Cristatus. That I can see from a photo & so I am looking for some description that would clarify the difference.

Thanks.
G

Look at the crests of the deviant animals. Any interruptions?
Pics would help

Ci@o

Ingo

Have you worked with this species? I would be curious to get your input.

Would also like to know how your G.chameleontinus are doing?

Regards,

Don M.

I had the opportunity to talk with one of the guys from the Denver Zoo who is working with their G.chameleontinus project. They have successfully bred and incubated this species. The guy I was talking to worked with the incubation and hatchlings. They haven't successfully raised any hatchlings yet but it sounds like they are on their way.

We will be going to Ft. Collins CO the weekend after Thanksgiving and I am hoping to convince my hubby that we have to go to the zoo so I can see what they are doing!
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Marcia - FroggieB Dragons
www.froggieb.com/MHDHome.html

Yes, early death of hatchlings is another problem in this species.
Obviously hatchlings from eggs which were in´cubated to warm often do not start eating.
On the other hand strong babies tend to try to eat to large prey items which can cause their death.

Still things to learn..

Ci@o

Ingo

Hi,

I have very limited Corytophanes experinence. Since a few years I have a single cristatus male and currently I am incubating eggs rescued from a dead female brought to me.
From my G. chamaelontinus I have babies here and then.
The problem is that my females only lay clutches of1-3 eggs and pefectly hide them.
I rarely find the eggs and even then hatching rates are still unsatisfactory.
So I am still within the learning curve.

Ci@o

Ingo

I am very interested in following your progress with the 'Corys'.
I just can't seem to get behind Forest Chameleon, or Helmeted Iguana as names for these guys. Apparently in Belize, (honeymooned there - incredible place) they simply call them "Old Man".