Bradypodion!!!

[lslcronk]

Cain has spoken! This is law. Seriously, everyone don't screw this up for people that seriously do want them. These are not for people that have experience with Panthers and Veiled. Not being mean but this is a big deal for Jared to bring these in.

ok well this is a good comment, no one has said that if a person only has had panthers/veileds than they can't/shouldn't keep these...this is why I keep asking questions...which is why I have not PM'd Jared yet. I have aksed if there are any particular pointers on keeping them/species one should work with first etc...so I am asking again...what do those of you that have kept these recommend? Everyone keeps saying they are not difficult to care for.

SO now I am confused and no I dont want to get involved if I am just going to kill them. I would love for some guidance from more experienced keepers.
I was interested in something that would have less drama then all the panther BS of late, I have no interest in breeding panthers due to eggs/binding/incubating/large clutches/everyone does it/locale drama etc..

 

[Chuck G]

I personally don't think they are difficult,just different. 800.00 for a pair of anything for someone that has just worked with a couple species seems like an impulse. I'm not here to discourage anyone. I applaud anyone learning about new species but that always comes with a price.

 

[Thezillaman21]

This is the biggest thing. If you are not 100000000% serious then please do not waste my time. Wasting my time means wasting my suppliers time. He is a very nice guy but I do not want to loose my source trying to set something up for people to back out.

Whoever is interested should PM me and let me know what they are thinking about getting.

Again, I cant get any species any time. The animals come from one person and it just depends what species is dropping clutches and if there are enough animals at the time.

I dont want to waste your time i would like one but intill I have more money in my pocket im hoping this movement waits untill fall.

 

[lslcronk]

I can see your point on that, especially with the cost. I guess the only thing I can say is a lot of ppl (you not so much) are charging that much for panthers anymore. I got lucky and got my sambava for just over $300 shipped, now for the same exact sire it would be $400. Where I got Claude, you can't get a male of any kind for under $400. And we won't even mention Faly's and Mitisio, so if you even want to try to work with the less common panther's you are looking at big $$$$.

You give a person reason to pause and to think, I am curious what you would recommend for a person looking to branch out of "mainstream" and try something different? Something else live-bearing with small litters? Thanks Chuck!

 

[Chuck G]

Jacksons! They are readily available and live bearers. You need to experience the unexpected dozen or so babies all over the cage! Good luck with whatever you do. These are just my opinions.

 

[Cainschams]

I agree with Chuck. They arent for beginners and other species experience would be a good thing. Not saying that its not possible to be successful with them with only panther and veiled experience but I dont think they are easy. Along with what has been mentioned they are also very intolerant of mold/fungus issues. I think this is what killed my first ones. Not sure what killed the three I kept from the last shipment. Some people have the knack and others dont. I am reluctant to try them again but will import them for others. I seem to have a knack for the Kinyongia so that is what I am sticking too.

 

[lslcronk]

Jacksons! They are readily available and live bearers. You need to experience the unexpected dozen or so babies all over the cage! Good luck with whatever you do. These are just my opinions.

I guess I never really considered Jacksons...not into the horns I guess lol (I will be in trouble for that somewhere I am sure) I appreciate your opinions...a lot of ppl get really upset when someone tells them something they dont want to hear, but I look at the animals well being first and foremost. Those of you with more knowledge/experience have valuable insight that is why I ask!

I agree with Chuck. They arent for beginners and other species experience would be a good thing. Not saying that its not possible to be successful with them with only panther and veiled experience but I dont think they are easy. Along with what has been mentioned they are also very intolerant of mold/fungus issues. I think this is what killed my first ones. Not sure what killed the three I kept from the last shipment. Some people have the knack and others dont. I am reluctant to try them again but will import them for others. I seem to have a knack for the Kinyongia so that is what I am sticking too.

Thanks for being honest about your lack of "luck" with these guys. I was concerned about those issues as well, but without this little chat with you and Chuck I may have followed in that path. I will perhaps consider some other species first...do you have any recommendations? Would Jackson's be your first step?

I really appreciate all the education guys! I would not say I do "impulse" buying...I always research and ask questions, try to be as prepared as possible for new endeavors...that being said I do get excited so some eye-opening is sometimes necessary!

Edit: Would C. Hoehnelii be a good starter? They are smaller, more readily available, seem to like similiar climate? Just curious...

 

[showjet95]

From my experience with them, they are NOT difficult by any stretch as long as you know your stuff. They havent been any more difficult for me then any of my other species, including panther. They get misted twice a day, just enough to get all the foliage wet and thats it. Their cage doesnt stay wet. They have also spent nights outside down into the 40s with no problems at all and have taken it outside into the 90s. The have always readily accepted all sorts of bugs Ive offered, so I havent seen a picky side of them. Im really not sure why they would be considered for more experienced keepers, just because they are rare? I think if South Africa allowed them to be exported like jacksons, and panthers, and other species have been alllowed to be exported from other countries we would see many more of them here. They seem to tolerate a wide range of temps, dont take much space, eat like pigs, and from what Ive experienced with my male and talking with others about theirs, they are always ready to mate (my female is unwilling so far and we beleive it to be because she is no where near full grown). They are live bearers so no need to worry about incubation temps, losing eggs, etc.

There is also a lady about an hour from me that has a breeding group of transvaals and has not lost one of her animals. But, unfortunately she doesnt sell them! lol and when she does they will cost as much or more then the ones we are trying to bring over. Hmmm what did I leave out?....

 

[showjet95]

Edit: Would C. Hoehnelii be a good starter? They are smaller, more readily available, seem to like similiar climate? Just curious...

I dont get this. Their care is almost identical. I keep both species. So why would one be chosen over the other, other then price?
Many people have lost hoehnelli, many! but someone would sway you that way because? They are more common and cheaper. Thats only because they have been allowed for export unlike Bradypodion.

 

[del33]

I personally don't think they are difficult,just different. 800.00 for a pair of anything for someone that has just worked with a couple species seems like an impulse. I'm not here to discourage anyone. I applaud anyone learning about new species but that always comes with a price.

The second sentence sent it home for me since I am very interested but was maybe driven by that impulse of seeing a very rare and beautiful animal.. so I'll sit this one out. I would no doubt still have given all my effort to simulate their natural environment to succeed. EVERYBODY that keeps rare species has had to start from square one themself, gather proper education/equipment, go for it and hope that luck along with mother nature are smiling their way. I'm getting ready to try my luck with my first carpet cham myself..

Good luck to everybody that's doing this. I hope it goes forward so you guys can gather more information to hopefully make this species more successful and common here.

 

[Cainschams]

I am definitely not trying to discourage anyone. Just want those who have great confidence in themselves about breeding them. Its not about just keeping one male, its about breeding and trying to produce a good population in the US.

Im sure my first failure was because of mold/fungus issue after I had to bring them inside for the winter. I think this has been an issue for a few people. The second try one got eaten by ants. Not sure about the other two. I kept thamnobates both times and the transvaalense went to others. Each one seemed fine one day and dead the next. I wasnt having die offs of any of my other animals at both times I kept them. I just dont think my "natural" husbandry is best for them and it was my fault both times. I seem to have the best luck with Kinyongias.

Again, not trying to discourage anyone. Just want those interested confident. There are lots of people who very well with them and lots of people willing to help.

 

[lslcronk]

I am definitely not trying to discourage anyone. Just want those who have great confidence in themselves about breeding them. Its not about just keeping one male, its about breeding and trying to produce a good population in the US.

Im sure my first failure was because of mold/fungus issue after I had to bring them inside for the winter. I think this has been an issue for a few people. The second try one got eaten by ants. Not sure about the other two. I kept thamnobates both times and the transvaalense went to others. Each one seemed fine one day and dead the next. I wasnt having die offs of any of my other animals at both times I kept them. I just dont think my "natural" husbandry is best for them and it was my fault both times. I seem to have the best luck with Kinyongias.

Again, not trying to discourage anyone. Just want those interested confident. There are lots of people who very well with them and lots of people willing to help.

It is interesting you mention the die off happened after bringing them inside from being housed outdoors. The Deckers/Anderson article mentioned that Deckers had the exact same thing happen. He apparently no longer takes all members of one group outside to prevent losing the entire line. Sounds like might be best to baby them and keep them indoors!

 

[coldbloodedAL]

I am definitely not trying to discourage anyone. Just want those who have great confidence in themselves about breeding them. Its not about just keeping one male, its about breeding and trying to produce a good population in the US.

Im sure my first failure was because of mold/fungus issue after I had to bring them inside for the winter. I think this has been an issue for a few people. The second try one got eaten by ants. Not sure about the other two. I kept thamnobates both times and the transvaalense went to others. Each one seemed fine one day and dead the next. I wasnt having die offs of any of my other animals at both times I kept them. I just dont think my "natural" husbandry is best for them and it was my fault both times. I seem to have the best luck with Kinyongias.

Again, not trying to discourage anyone. Just want those interested confident. There are lots of people who very well with them and lots of people willing to help.

I am sorry to hear about those guys Jared. Is that what happened to most of everyones that brought them in? No one ever posts anything on them besides Showjet, and some members from across the pond. Or is everyone just hoarding them like Parsons

 

[showjet95]

The breeder we are getting them from in Germany keeps his outdoors the entire summer and brings them in once the weather starts going downhill with no problems at all.

A few pics from this morning

Looking like a dalmatian

His favorite hangout spot

 

[Solid Snake]

Showjet, I have not been able to find any pictures of his setup/how you keep him. Would you care to share some, or direct me to ones I may have overlooked?

 

[Olimpia]

I'm in 100% with Laurie. Count me in on this.