Ocelot Gecko - This Gecko has a number of nick names, of which Ground Gecko, and Big Head Gecko are among the most popular. The scientific name is Paraoedura pictus. This is another one of those fabulous Madagascan animals. This likeable lizard inhabits the arid, and rocky savannahs of the southern, western, and eastern regions of the island. This is one animal that I can recommend as an exotic that will be a good beginners species to keep, and breed. The Ocelot Gecko is nocturnal, not very active, and an anxious eater. There are many being bred in captivity and are readily available. In fact this animal makes an excellent beginners breeding project. It will require experiencing all the steps of basic breeding of reptiles. The best part is they are hardy enough to survive your learning curve.
I am against the support of the wild caught "pet" trade by the novice. No insult intended, but we will never have the opportunity to be more responsible in the management of wild species if we don't support the captive bred trade, instead of encouraging the over collecting of animals in the wild. True, this is a catch twenty-two scenario. How can we have captive bred animals, if we don't have wild caught species to breed in captivity? My point is, that it is difficult to achieve a balance between the "scientific study, and breeding " of wild animals, and the over stimulated pet trade demand, but we must try, or we will lose too many wonderful animals forever. I have bred this animal on more than one occasion with great success. The best publication available is listed below. This is one of the Barron series books and is well presented by the Bartlett's. It is comprehensive enough that I won't repeat the basic husbandry that it covers so well in one page of this book. It will serve as excellent source for information on the breeding of Geckos as well. I will always encourage the potential hobbyist to acquire, read, and study the requirements for successfully keeping any species that seems appealing. A little knowledge is a wonderful thing!
Peacock Gecko - The scientific name is Phelsuma quadriocellata. This species can be found inhabiting the rainforests of Madagascar. This is one of the several "day gecko" species, that for simplicity sake, I will refer to as a group. Their care in captivity is similar for most of those species that are readily available, while some breeding requirements vary for specific species. If breeding is the intent I will leave it to you to conduct your own course of study using once again the referenced publications listed below. These are a specialized group of Gecko's, and have some unique needs in order to maintain successfully in captivity. The humidity requirements and their preference to licking droplets form leaves instead of using a water bowl, lend themselves to a misting system of some type. They do not have a very wide optimum temperature range ( 70 to 80 degrees F is best ). They do consume nectar in their natural environment which can easily be duplicated with apricot, or peach baby food from the jar. This needs to always be supplemented with calcium. They love crickets as well, which should also be dusted, and occasionally some small meal worms. I include powdered vitamins at least once, and often twice per week with good success. While the P. quadriocellata is not readily bred in captivity some other species of this genera are. P. laticuda, P. m. madagascariensis, and others have been. I mention these specifically, because I currently keep these in a mixed Vivarium successfully now. I also keep, but have yet to breed, the P. lineata in this same Vivarium. It is a large Vivarium that houses a waterfall, many species of live plants, and mosses. The live plants not only make this Vivarium look very natural, but they also serve to keep the temperature at a moderate level. Keep in mind that live plants take in carbon dioxide ( which the animals, as we do, exhale while breathing ), and give off oxygen as part of the photosynthesis process. This emitted vapor from the plants tends to be cool, and helps maintain the narrow range of temperature in which they do best.
Leopard Gecko - The scientific name for this animal is Eublepharis macularius, which roughly translates form Latin as "spotted eyelid gecko". This leads us to the most popular common name of "leopard gecko." Leopard geckos come from India, and Pakistan. They inhabit the deserts, and dry grasslands, living under rocks, and burrows they may dig, or just borrow. Those that are commonly found in the "pet" trade today are all captive bred. While a hearty specimen, they have enough special husbandry requirements that unless your are committed long term to keeping this animal, you may want to make another selection. We'll start with their life span They can live up to fifteen years, and typically reach eight inch's in length as adults. Next their natural habitat being the desert will lead to some special captive requirements. The book referenced below has all the essentials for acquiring, and keeping a healthy animal. If you are interested in breeding this delightful creature, you will also find all the necessary information to set up a proper breeding environment. The captive breeding of these animals has progressed over the last few years to produce some striking coloring of yellows, oranges, and lavenders that are quite the site. I myself have one that has been bred to a high yellow. There nature doesn't seem to suffer for all the efforts of this selective breeding as their popularity continues to grow.
Veiled Chameleons - The scientific name for this species of Chameleon is Chamaeleo calyptratus calcarifer. There are a number of good books on keeping these animals, but keep in mind the first captive breeding of these animals was first accomplished in 1988!. There in lies the dilemma of husbandry of these incredible creatures. So unique, and very demanding in the duplication of their natural habitat. As a Herpetology hobbyist, I have already made a few observations about the available information, and more importantly, the manner in which it is presented to the "hobbyist." First, a universal agreement with all the publications, and those people that I have personally talked with. This is not an animal for the beginner. You will need some experience keeping other reptiles! It is just that simple. I'll be sure to reference "Why's", as I progress. I have listed all the regularly available publications on Chameleons below. I can only encourage you to read ALL OF THEM! The most recent publication, "Chameleons, Their Care and Breeding," by Linda J. Davidson (owner of Sticky Tongue Farms), was published in 1999. The next most recent publications are in 1995. Remember when the first Chameleon was captive bred? When you read the earlier publications you will sense the uncertainties, and indeed read about them as well. Linda Davidson, and her husband have perhaps the most extensive continuous experience with Chameleons, but they too acknowledge the learning curve that still confronts the keeping, and breeding of these animals.
Another excellent source of information on an ongoing basis is the CiN, (Chameleon International Network). subscribing to the newsletter would be money well spent. This is a great source of up to date, information from all over the world on successful keeping of many species these animals. Husbandry, breeding, diet, and natural habitat are all reviewed on a regular basis in each issue. I have included this source in the My Favorite Links section of this site.
There are many animals needing our attention due the delicate status of their existence. This is one that deserves to be near the top of that list. Many of the species of Chameleons are endangered, and all are threatened. If you chose to keep these animals, and eventually breed them, I need to encourage you to be a bit of a scientist and keep records. You may very well have the opportunity to be a contributor to the knowledge base of the successful keeping of Chameleons.
Of all the species of Chameleons, it is pretty well recognized that the Veiled Chameleon has received the most attention to breeding, and therefore has become the "easiest" of the Chameleon species to keep, and breed (I hate to use the word "easiest" here, but keep in mind the relevancy.) It was not the first species to be bred in captivity, however, that honor goes to the Parsons Chameleon, with the Veiled following in 1990. I am going to direct all my comments here to the Veiled Chameleon. First, pay attention to the temperature, followed closely by the humidity, an though in the diet, and you have, well, a reptile that needs your attention.....a lot of attention. This is true with the newborns that are usually what most people end up acquiring. That is why the above list is presented so emphatically. I have had to continuously make adjustments with the above items to keep these little ones "happy". Yes, you do get a break here. They can communicate with you about how they feel. More color variations than a "mood ring", but signals none the less. You will quickly learn to read the colors of contentment, and stress, with a few others in between as they reach adulthood. Both the Chameleon Handbook by LeBerre, and the Bartlett's, along with the Care and Breeding of Chameleons, by de Vosjoli, have sections devoted to behaviors, and displays that will serve you well in learning to understand your Chameleons state of well being. I urge you to learn some horticulture along the way. You will need to be familiar with the toxicity of various plants that are available, and may end up in your Chameleons enclosure. Why? You will need to have live plants as part of your Vivarium in order to have a healthy environment. For a Chameleon, out of sight is out of mind. If they can not see another Chameleon then they are not overly stimulated by it. If you opt to have only one in the enclosure, you will still need plants for them to live on as part of the attempt to duplicate a more natural environment. I had originally planned to add these animals to the Vivarium display. I have become so intrigued with these animals that I now intend to set up their own living quarters centered around an six foot high Ficus tree. This is one of those plants to include in you list of preferred plants to use with these animals. They will, as they reach adulthood, munch on these leaves as part of their diet. These animals reach adulthood rapidly. They will grow from a inch long baby to an adult of eight to ten inch's long body in a mere six to eight months. Once sexual maturity is reached, and make no mistake, you will know, the growing slows considerably. It is now time for a new color display by the female. It is incredible to watch! Colors flashing back and forth between the male and female, as mating age is reached.
If you are ready for that final step of breeding these animals, I will leave you with the task of getting the books out and studying the requirements for this task.
Geckos - by R. D. Bartlett and Patricia Bartlett. This Barron's series book is a must for anyone interested in keeping day geckos. If you are going to have only one reference text, this would be my first choice.
Day Geckos, The General Care and Maintenance of - by Ean McKeown is from the Herpetocultural Library. It is an excellent reference for species identification. While not as strong on the husbandry as the above publication, it is still a top choice reference text.
Day Geckos - by Eric M. Rundquist is another good text for the serious hobbyist. This is a readily available TFH publication. If you are seriously looking at keeping several of these species, then I recommend adding all of these publications to your library.
Leopard Geckos, Identification, Care & Breeding - by Ray Hunziker is a well presented, and well organized guide to keeping these animals. This a readily available TFH publication.
Chameleons, The Care and Breeding - by Linda J. Davidson is the newest publication on these animals. The information is very good, and contains the latest "thinking" on the proper procedures for their keeping and breeding. My choice of words is strictly to continuously make you aware of the relative infancy of the scientific data for these animals. It is less cautious in it's presentation then I think it should be at times. The Davidson's have been successfully keeping, and breeding various Chameleons for long enough to have developed personal confidence about the general care of certain species that must be carefully taken. Your confidence come with your experience.
The Chameleon Handbook - by Francois LeBerre with R.D. Bartlett, and Patricia Bartlett was first published in 1995 with some updates in 2000. Contains an excellent "mood" reference list. Copy it down, read it, memorize it. It is a good tool, and will help you stay up with their needs.
Care and Breeding of Chameleons - by Philippe de Vosjoli published in 1995, is another quality piece of work by the renowned Herpetologist. Excellent background information to help you better understand their natural environment.
Chameleons, a Complete Pet Owner's Manual - by the Bartlett's published also in 1995, has it merits, but is over shadowed by their other publication listed above.
The Guide to Owning a Chameleon - by Schmidt, Tamm, and Wallekewitz. does a good job with the biology. It has it's merits too through the use of comparative narration. If you want to get into many different species of keeping this would be a good reference tool. This is a 1994 publication.
