Reptile & Amphibian Forums

All the FAQs say either not to do it or to house a pair at most. Many pet stores will house multiple juvies or subadults and I was wondering till what point can this be done and how big of an enclosure would be needed for multiple adults. I currently have a group of Jacksons and would like to get some Panthers. I will most likely have to build a multiple enclosure cage, or even better build an enclosed yard with a dividing stream down the middle! Does anyone here house multiple chams together?

First, I would hardly say most pet stores house their chams correctly either because they don't know how or they are not willing to give individual animals the space and security they need. They expect the stock to move...and by the time problems show up the animal belongs to a customer. Small babies can be housed together but only until weaker or more dominant individuals start showing up in the group. Keeping adults together usually means a greenhouse or room sized setup. Part of the problem is individual personalities of chams. In any group one is bound to become the aggressor, and if the others can't escape to habitat that gives them security as well as proper temp, humidity, light, food and water, the less dominant chams will start showing health problems. Some melleri can live in small groups as well as fischeri, but if you aren't lucky enough to have chams that get along you'd have to separate them regardless. Also, gravid females should be separated anyway, so separate caging would be needed at some point.

The only chams I have heard of being housed together with reasonable results it Mellers. Almost all Mellers that are Imported or kept by breeders with large collections keep their animals in groups (Which is still a very questionable practice). But only a male with several females. Never keep multiple males together. But with Panthers are Jacksons I would not house them together. By the time you build a cage large enough to house a pair or more, you would be far better (much cheaper) off just keeping them individually. Keeping animals together is just asking for injury. The males will always have breeding on the mind, and the females wont, which could cause conflict. So in my opinion keep them apart. Although others may disagree, like i said thats just my 2 cents.