Hi Eric, I'm also copying the GGA listserv on this in case others are interested.
I would strongly encourage you to join the GGA and go ahead and get on the GGA email list now. www.gekkota.com and see "listserve" , one of the buttons to the left (you don't have to be a paid member of the GGA to join but I'd encourage you to do so!). Watch for a week or so then introduce yourself. Unfortunately you've just missed quite a bit of intense Phelsuma talk... As to P.breviceps, They are most definitely a hot and dry species. They should be kept as you would P.standingi or hotter. Have you kept small deserticulous sp of Phelsuma before? They are not like the others... P.breviceps live almost exclusively on Euphorbia stenoclada. E.stenoclada is a branchy, tall, very spiny euphorb which eventually grows to about 3-4 meters or so. It's photosynthesis actually occurs on the trunk and spines..no leaves. The main trunk is almost entirely vertical but of course there is some horizontal surface on smaller limbs. In addition to E.stenoclada, I keep bamboo in all sorts of angles in their cages to provide a bit more surface area as well. They seem to prefer 2-3cm diameter but I also have some up to 10cm in adult cages. Here's a quick URL with an idea of what a very young E.stenoclada looks like http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Euphorbiaceae/Euphorbia_stenoclada.ht ml I am told that the eggs in nature are found entangled within the spines of the euphorb but haven't seen this behaviour myself. Here's an idea of what a curious predator might find: http://www.cactustropicalgarden.com/photos/spines/euph_steno.html The eggs also have a special sheen which I haven't seen in other species. I think some time ago I read an account on this in German..will have to look. My highs during the day (keep in mind my cage design seen below!), summer rotation, are a hot spot up to 50-55C with the ambient around 40 and the cool recesses down in the 20s. Winter I move to highs in the high 20's and low 30's with lows in the mid 20's, about room temp for lows. No matter the time of year I allow the cages to get to room temp at night (usually low to mid 20's). I am a big in situ person so have had all eggs hatch in the cage. I've only lost one offspring (of many) to the parents. I normally feed crickets and housefly adults with occasional wax moths or wax worms. It's important not to feed too many fatty insects as they grow quite rotund and I would expect them to have similar problems with a fatty diet as other desert reptiles are susceptible to. They should be extremely active once warmed and always alert, looking right at your face when you walk up..or your hands if you're moving them. They are very attentive and ALWAYS watch the other animals within view or you if you're active in the room. Even after years of stereotypical behaviour on my part they always slip 'round the other side from view at first then run up to catch insects as they're fed..very fast! I also spray them every other day or so, their locale in nature receives almost immeasurable amounts of rain but they seem to drink well and I'd rather not trust that the insects are providing all the moisture they need in this case. I also feed a dab of baby food, Gerber organic tropical fruit blend, maybe once a week or so. I use a vitamin supplement that comes from Belgium (and is no longer available unfortunately) with every feeding. Once I run out of my supply I'll probably switch to the two forms of sticky-tongue-farms, feeding D3 every third feeding or so and just calcium every feeding. Insects are fed a variety of organic veggies and the calcium water cubes from Fluker. I use (2) Reptisun 5.0's right on the top of the cage (through Alu hardware cloth) as well as a UVHEAT self ballasted mercury vapor at a diagonal. My cages are all screen except for the bottom and have no substrate. The 5.0's are timed with the temperature seasons and the UVHEAT's run for (2) 3 hour cycle's..usually trying to approximate a morning warm-up then an afterlunch hot period. Let me know if you have any further questions and if you notice ANYTHING not quite right with your male please send me an email. There are too few animals in captivity to risk :) Jamie -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2002 2:07 PM To: James Corell Subject: RE: phelsuma breviceps When you have a moment can you recall anything interesting or unique about their behavior or housing needs. I was told they like it cooler than other phelsumids. Are your males very arboreal or do they prefer a horizontal enclosure. Are the males frequently violent with the females? I have not yet joined the GGA but plan to do so soon. Thank you Eric ########################################################################### THE GLOBAL GECKO ASSOCIATION LISTSERV WebSite: www.gekkota.com Archive: [EMAIL PROTECTED]/ The GGA takes no responsibility for the contents of these postings. ###########################################################################
