(Rieppeleon brevicaudatus)

Wragg, D. 2008

The following notes discuss the construction of a suitable habitat within an Exo Terra® glass vivarium. I would have liked to have created a step-by-step construction guide as these are more often than not the most informative approach, however as I do not have an empty vivarium from which to document the process I will attempt to describe it using a bottom-up approac.

Below is a 12x12x12" (30x30x30cm) Exo Terra® cube illustrating the hinged doors and removable mesh lid. Included is a polystyrene backdrop which can be left in to provide an extra dimension for the pygmies to climb.

Substrate

Given the size of the pygmy chameleon faeces, the best approach is the creation of a bioactive substrate. The first substrate layer is for drainage and an ideal product to facilitate this is Hydroleca - small clay balls. A depth of approximately 1" is sufficient. A single layer of weed membrane should be placed on top of the Hydroleca to prevent the surface substrate from mixing into it and defuncting the purpose of a drainage layer.

Once the membrane is in place it is a good time to position any plants that are to be left in pots. Ideally, the pots should be no deeper than the depth of the surface substrate, approximately 2-3". After the plants have been positioned a layer of sterile top soil can be added upto the surface of the plant pots, or to a depth of 2-3", whichever is greater. In the case of the Exo Terra® the surface of the substrate should now be more or less level with the bottom of the venitlation strip beneath the doors.

Having a deep substrate is useful for a number of reasons:

Any plants that are to be planted directly into the substrate can now be added together with custodians. Live plants and custodians are important as they facilitate the nitrogen cycle making the substrate bioactive. The fundamental benefits of this are that any faeces from the pygmies that arenot removed from the enclosure can effectively be buried in the substrate. Here it will decompose and provide nutrients to the custodians and plants., which helps to maintain a clean environment and promote plant growth.

Plants

A variety of plants are suitable for inclusion within the vivarium, of which the most commonly available are the Ficus sp. Ficus come in a variety of shapes and sizes and offer different benefits to the pygmy. Ficus natasja has a rigid branching structure and provides a secure means on which to climb. This ficus is good for providing a high level climbing arena for the pygmies. Ficus pumilia however is a creeping variety and as such is not so rigid. However, due to the light weight of the pygmies they are still able to climb it to an extent and it provides excellent coverage both along the ground, and up the side of the enclosure if it is trained to climb so. The denisty of the foilage on this ficus will also provide a degree of security to a timid pygmy.

A layer of sphagnum moss on top of the soil substrate will help to retain humidity and provides a non-linear ground surface on which the pygmies can climb. Other good plants include ferns and mosses.

Custodians

As mentioned earlier, custodians are essential for a bioactive substrate. Two particular species of custodian, Dwarf Tropical Woodlice, Trichorhina tomentosa, and Tropical Springtails, Seira sp., are available online from www.dartfrog.co.uk. Both species are prolific once established, and usually thrive within the environmental conidtions offered to the bearded pygmy chameleon, R. brevicaudatus.

Lighting

It has not been determined scientifically whether or not R. brevicaudatus benefit from, or require, UV-B radiation. Breeders have reported success both with and without the use of artificial UV-B lighting. From the authors perspective, whilst UV-B may or may not be required for the synthesis of vitamin D3, as with omnivorous and herbivorous reptiles such as the green iguana and bearded dragon, it has documented as playing a role in immunoregulation (Brames, 2007). It is recommended therefore to provide a low level source of UV-B for example from an Exo Terra® Repti Glo 2.0 or used Repti Glo 5.0 flourescent tube. The added benefit of this is that the UV-A emmissions from the light will stimulate plant growth.

For a comprehensive review on the literature relating to UV-B and reptiles, visit www.uvguide.co.uk/references.htm.

Heating

R. brevicaudatus are sensitive to temperature fluctuations. They are best maintained at 72F (22C) during the day, permitting to drop to around 65F (18C) at night. As mentioned in the design basics chapter, extreme deviations from this, particularly within a short period of time for example during a summer heatwave, can be fatal. The low levels of heat generated by a UV flourescent tube are usually sufficient to raise the temperature at the top of the Exo Terra® to around 73.5F (23C) if the tube is placed directly above the mesh lid. As mentioned in the earlier chapter, this should ideally be positioned along the rear mesh section to allow a heat gradient from the top of the back of the vivarium, to the substrate level at the front of the vivarium.

Humidity

The target humidity is approximately 70-80%. A light misting in the morning a couple of hours after lights on, and a light misting in the afternoon a couple of hours before lights out may be sufficient depending on the humidity of your home. It is essential to ensure that droplets from the misting have evaporated before a second misting, and before lights out. If they are not then it is possible you may be misting too heavily. Another means of maintaining humidity is through the use of a humidifier plumbed into the Exo Terra® using plastic tubing. The Bionaire® BU1300 is ideal and it should only be necessary to run the humidifier for around 5 mins every hour or so. Note if you use a humidifier it is still necessary to lightly mist to provide the pygmies with an opportunity to drink, and to water the plants.

References

Brames, H. (2007). Aspects of Light and Reptilian Immunity. Iguana 14(1): 18 - 23. [Online] Available at http://www.reptileuvinfo.com/docs/aspects-of-light-and-reptile-immunity.pdf Accessed on 6th March 2008.