Calling all parsonii fans
- Thread starter TIMMYBOY
- Start date
bobcochran
Chameleon Enthusiast
Just so long as he doesn't get his hands on me!!!
SaintJimmy
Avid Member
Just as a question--if someone WEREN'T interested in helping the species continue by breeding, would they make a suitable "pet" regular cham?
People obviously hold parsons in very high regards vs. other chams and usually I don't see many pics because it would disturb them, or people don't even TOUCH them at all!
I doubt a parsons would be very different from another species, by temperament, anyway. Wouldn't you be able to at least handle your parsons cham?
If you were breeding them and had a stellar setup, you probably would want to leave them alone and have everything tip-top, but let's say someone decided to buy one for ~2,000$, why couldn't they be handled like a regular chammy?
People obviously hold parsons in very high regards vs. other chams and usually I don't see many pics because it would disturb them, or people don't even TOUCH them at all!
I doubt a parsons would be very different from another species, by temperament, anyway. Wouldn't you be able to at least handle your parsons cham?
If you were breeding them and had a stellar setup, you probably would want to leave them alone and have everything tip-top, but let's say someone decided to buy one for ~2,000$, why couldn't they be handled like a regular chammy?
Saldarya
Established Member
I think the best way I can answer that is by saying when you see one/have one and are able to observe them on a daily basis, you just get the sense that they do not want to be handled or cuddled with. Its not that they are reclusive, but they just seem to want to be left to their day to day routine, and in observing them, you want to leave them to it.
So far as temperament, in my limited experience, they are much more gentle and laid back than any of the more common species but again, it just seems wrong to want to handle them more than absolutely necessary.
Motherlode Chameleon
Chameleon Enthusiast
I am one that would allow that Yellow Lip to climb on me. Would cause me to bleed a bit however working with my own Yellow Lip would be a major milestone.
Great picture however that photo has been floating the web for a several years now.
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SaintJimmy
Avid Member
Ah okay. I hear they're laid back, I wouldn't really want to handle it, but I was wondering why a laid back chameleon wouldn't be able to be held. I'm not saying I'd want to cuddle with it or want it to hang out, just why they are given the reclusive "don't take pictures or hold me" stereotype on here.
leedragon
Chameleon Enthusiast
the thing is that you shouldn´t be handling any chameleon at all, they are not that kind of animal, no mammal neither bird.
people who work with parson are experienced ones, that see them as an animal of observation and not a "pet"
the money value the have make sure means youngster can´t get them so they ofter have a better chance to get to a more mature home were the owner would evaluete their own standars if they can get one
Olimpia
Biologist & Ecologist
The length on this species isn't really the impressive fact, there are a couple other species that get just as long. It's the sheer MASS of this species, they are so much thicker and stockier than an Oustalet's or Meller's, they weigh significantly more. So my largest Meller's is 23" from tip to tip and weighed in Monday at 456 grams, but I think I read somewhere that [Chuck's? or Steve's?] largest male comes in somewhere in the 800 gram range. That's a big difference in weight! And you can tell by looking at them, their head is 2-3x bigger than any of mine's heads.
Plus they're smooth, they have the nicest skin texture
I've had the pleasure of holding a few and they're lovely, but you do get that sort of reserved temperament from them, like they're slow and gentle but really they just want to do their own thing. My melleri are the same way, happy to eat from me and watch me work in their room but would rather stay where they are instead of be on my arm.
Plus they're smooth, they have the nicest skin texture
I've had the pleasure of holding a few and they're lovely, but you do get that sort of reserved temperament from them, like they're slow and gentle but really they just want to do their own thing. My melleri are the same way, happy to eat from me and watch me work in their room but would rather stay where they are instead of be on my arm.
Garrett
Chameleon Enthusiast
"So far as temperament, in my limited experience, they are much more gentle and laid back than any of the more common species but again, it just seems wrong to want to handle them more than absolutely necessary."
I see this mentioned often on the forums, but in my experience it's not really true. They are pretty intolerant to handling, and will try their best to evade your hand when trying to pick them up. If that doesn't work they can puff up, hiss, and lunge. If that fails, it's biting time. One of my friends wanted to hold my large male (he had limited chameleon experience) and got a nice vice like bite on the web of his hand haha. They may look gentle and calm, but don't piss them off!
I see this mentioned often on the forums, but in my experience it's not really true. They are pretty intolerant to handling, and will try their best to evade your hand when trying to pick them up. If that doesn't work they can puff up, hiss, and lunge. If that fails, it's biting time. One of my friends wanted to hold my large male (he had limited chameleon experience) and got a nice vice like bite on the web of his hand haha. They may look gentle and calm, but don't piss them off!
SSimsswiSS
Avid Member
"So far as temperament, in my limited experience, they are much more gentle and laid back than any of the more common species but again, it just seems wrong to want to handle them more than absolutely necessary."
I see this mentioned often on the forums, but in my experience it's not really true. They are pretty intolerant to handling, and will try their best to evade your hand when trying to pick them up. If that doesn't work they can puff up, hiss, and lunge. If that fails, it's biting time. One of my friends wanted to hold my large male (he had limited chameleon experience) and got a nice vice like bite on the web of his hand haha. They may look gentle and calm, but don't piss them off!
Yeah, watch your fingers too.
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Action Jackson
Chameleon Enthusiast
My largest female is 22 inches long. None of mine are aggressive but they can easily break skin. My Parsonii also don't like being held either.
jannb
Chameleon Enthusiast
Same here. My parsons have never opened their mouth or anything aggressive toward me or anyone. My female Hera, was the least friendly but not aggressive. She would become stressed (show her stress colors) if messed with to much. Padre would SLOWLY crawl on an extended hand and Cooper goes outside just about daily and never shows stress colors or acts the least bit aggressive. They have all been extremely gentle when handled and I've never once had a puncture wound.
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Motherlode Chameleon
Chameleon Enthusiast
I make an effort not to handle any of my chameleons unless it is absolutely necessary. However if your going to handle a Parsonii they have got the strongest grip and strongest bit out of any of the chameleon species I have kept. Most every time I handle my male Parsonii Rhino weather he is pissed or not he makes me bleed with his grip alone. Then it is time to go wash and disinfect.
Chameleon Brothers
New Member
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Damn, he is huge!
Damn, he is huge!
