AMEIVA questions

Deadpool · Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 7:44 pm Post subject: AMEIVA questions

Well i'm considering getting an Ameiva. I've heard they are related to tegus and are almost like owning a small tegu (i've heard them get nicknamed as dwarf tegus). I have a couple general questions that i'm hoping someone can answer...

1. What is their maximum size?
2. Can they actually become as tame as tegus (not including golds)?
3. Is there a variety of them? All i've been able to find info on is the green ameiva

I currently own a 1 and a half year old black & white argentine... so i'm no stranger to big lizards. This would be my first smaller lizard though... I'm considering a ameiva or maybe an ackies monitor... but any help with ameivas would be great! Thanks in advance!

AmeivaBoy · Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 8:46 pm Post subject:

Ameivas are display lizards, nothing you can take out an handle, green ameivas (ameiva ameiva) are the largest species which max out at 24" but normally only get 18-20", there are mayb species of ameiva (32)
but the ones you'll see in the pet trade are the green ameiva (ameiva ameiva) chaizams ameiva (ameiva chaitzami) and tiger ameivas (ameiva undulata and ameiva festiva), as far as care goes generally speaking they need large cages cause they are very active, hot basking temps 110-115, a good layer of dirt for burrowing 6-12" depending on species and ambient temps ranging from 79-85, humidity should be above 50%, they are very interesting lizards that dont get as much attention as they deserve, as far as the term dwarf tegu goes i only use that term for the chilean dwarf tegu (callopistes maculatus) which is another tegu relative that comes from the deserts of south america
here's some old pics of a couple tiger ameivas (undulata) i kept

chelvis · Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 9:00 pm Post subject:

I've kept both Ameivas and Ackie's, currently i still have my little ackie. But i have to agree with AmeivaBoy they are a cool lizard but if you want something to handle go with an Ackie. My ameiva never got tame or even handlable but he sure was a cool lizard to look at, he was sold to me as a green but after doing some resurch i found out he was a tiger. Oh and talk about active.

AS for the Ackie they to need quit a bit of space and alot of room to dig... kind of like a tegu. They perfer it warmer... much warmer mine likes his basking spot at around 115 or so but some people have had theirs at 120! But if your going for tame i would choice an Ackie i love him, the only reason why i'm now getting a tegu is I want something bigger. But these little guys are a real fun little lizard to keep.

Deadpool · Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 9:28 pm Post subject:

Wow so they don't become tame, eh? That is news to me... I was under the impression that they were good lizards to hold and take out a lot after a lot of holding. Ackies monitor was my second choice but it seems to be in the lead now because I do want something I can hold. My argentine doesn't really get held too much anymore.. hes a big boy now and gets to roam my room quite often and do his own thing. He's tame as can be but i've been wanting to get him a little buddy (yes i know never to have the 2 out together... tegu would end up getting a snack if that happened!). I guess i'll look more into ackies now... thanks for the heads up!

TheNero · Valued Member Joined: Sep 28, 2006 Posts: 115

sounds like your looking more for a leo my friend, my little girl likes being out and eats out of my hand.

Deadpool · Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 4:03 pm Post subject:

A leo?

AmeivaBoy · Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 4:38 pm Post subject:

lol leopard geckos rule

wumpscut · Member Joined: Dec 22, 2006 Posts: 68 Location: California

you know, that leo box should be more sterile. they run a risk of getting sick from infections...and i think you should really keep it cleaner. i mean no nature at all!!!...

I'm very interested in the A.a. and the Callopistes maculatus. are any of these two communial? I'm planning to use dirt and real plants in a larger display with a simple water feature if needed but that's a year away. just wondering.

TheNero · Valued Member Joined: Sep 28, 2006 Posts: 115

After having them for a few years, I believe new paper or paper towls are the way to go really.

AmeivaBoy · Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 5:32 pm Post subject:

wumpscut · Member Joined: Dec 22, 2006 Posts: 68 Location: California

i was kidding about the natural stuff. i house everything in a vivarium. from leos to balls to tarantulas so i was just poking you in the ribs so to speak. i'm really against the sterile thing my self but to each his own. i use hardpan with a clay topper for leos just like it is in afghanastan...

and as far as i know, i can put plants with the C.m.. The photos i've seen of their natural habitats don't look like deserts to me...hmm. the mediterranean climate zone these come from varies from types of landscape and such but in that type of climate many plants thrive quite well, and even in the drier area's of chile, i'm sure these would be found long stream areas not in deserts...but i'm just learning...I hope to speak soon with some researchers down there so that should be fun.
where are these able to be purchased at?

AmeivaBoy · Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 2:32 am Post subject:

I havent seen any Callopistes available in a long time, you can check here http://markmlucas.com

i know he used to get both maculatus and flavipunctatus, if you find some let me know

and as for natural set ups i can do that too

wumpscut · Member Joined: Dec 22, 2006 Posts: 68 Location: California

nice. but i mean naturalistic. that is, with unplanted plants, dirt, and ecosystem, nitrogen cycle etc.

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just built
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stream view
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3 months later

anyway, just trying to show you what you can do. i'm planning an exhibit for my T.m. with the same amount of realism involved and want to also do that for A.a. or such...much like a zoo or such but this time, for me.