RCReptiles.com

[reptilehunter]

11 August 2006
CHARLES & CAMILLA'S 55 BABIES
REPTILES' HUGE FAMILY
By Richard Smith

PROUD parents Charles and Camilla have had 57 babies.

But don't panic taxpayers - because this Charles and Camilla are actually a pair of chameleons.

The two reptiles, which are able to change colour, normally hate each other and live in separate tanks.

But when they suddenly changed from their natural green to matching blue and yellow, owner Hayden Crawford knew it meant they were ready to produce some heirs.

So he let them snuggle up together for a couple of days and a month later Camilla laid 58 eggs.

Car salesman Hayden 27, said yesterday: "I was told I'd be lucky if a dozen survived but I've got 55 running about. They're all over the place.

"I haven't got room for them and I have to sell them within three months because after that they get territorial and all hell will break loose."

Hayden bought two-year-old Camilla last year and kept her in a 5ft square tank. Then he bought Charles to keep her company - but soon discovered he wasn't her idea of a prince charming.

He said: "Camilla doesn't like Charles. When I put him in her tank she attacked him and broke his leg.

"So I split them up and put them in two tanks side by side so they just looked at each other.

"Then one evening their colours both completely matched. It was a blue, yellow and green. That meant they were ready to mate so I put them in the same tank to get on with it."

But Camilla's amorous mood did not last and after two days Charles had to be removed for his own safety.

Camilla laid her eggs 30 days later and last weekend 57 of them hatched at Hayden's home in Poole, Dorset.

He said: "Unfortunately we have since lost two of them but I was expecting a lot more to die.

"All the babies have different markings - but it is still very hard to tell them apart." Hmm. So they ARE just like the Royals, after all.

[deborahbroadus]

WoW! Is it normal for the female Chameleon to be aggressive towards the male?

[reptilehunter]

It sure is Deb. I have proof of that right now. My female jackson is gravid right now. I can't put the male with her now. I tried one day for a second or so while i clean his enclosure. She went after him and tackled him down with a headlock. It looked funny, but i knew she meant business. So i got him out of there fast. Females are very aggressive when their gravid.

[deborahbroadus]

Headlock! Sorry, I know it's serious, but the visual images.... Aannnnnd YOU put him in there! LOL see kids, adults make mistakes too!

[reptilehunter]

Deb, it was only for a minute or so and i had no idea that she would react so aggressive like that I never did it again!!!! It shocked me too.

[deborahbroadus]

[reptilehunter]

it all happened to fast for pics and anyway i was about to faint!!! LOL