Hawaiians
- Thread starter zsazsa85
- Start date
Carlton
Chameleon Enthusiast
There are some populations of jackson's chameleon in HI but I don't know off hand which islands they occur on. The original animals supposedly escaped from a failed breeder or were turned loose. Jackson's are native to Africa. Either way, they are considered an invasive pest as they prey on native insects, many of which are protected endemics.
paulkaranik
Member
I have a wild Jackson I caught myself on Maui. I have always wanted a cham and finally got around to finding one myself. They are common only in one part of Maui. "Upcountry" where it is much cooler than most other areas on the island. I don't think they are very common on any other island. Since they are invasive on maui id be happy to tell you exactly where you have a great chance to catch one.
aloha
paul
aloha
paul
JGuinan007
Avid Member
They are an invasive species in Hawaii. I'm surprised more isn't being done to eradicate them from the islands. You would think the state would encourage people to to hunt them down and capture them DOA, preferably alive. I know in Florida there are sites dedicated to hunting invasives I saw one that had maps of sightings of chameleons and info on where, when, and what to do to catch them. I remember they said to go at night and bring flash lights. They had pictures too of the chams that were caught the time and location there were so real beauties too. As I remember I think most were Veileds maybe some Panthers and Parsons.
nightanole
Chameleon Enthusiast
Story time, in the 1960-1970 era 1 guy let 36 sick jacksons go, they now account for 90% of the jacksons in the pet trade. A lot of hawaiians make this there part time job collecting them.
There are alot on the big island (hawaii hawaii). My sis lives in kona and sees road kill a lot (pro tip, dont do the shaky dance across the road). The new big concern is the vields are coming now. They breed 5-10x faster, and are big enough to hit the local bird population. Then again everything on hawaii just washed up on shore, so what would be considered native at this point...
There are alot on the big island (hawaii hawaii). My sis lives in kona and sees road kill a lot (pro tip, dont do the shaky dance across the road). The new big concern is the vields are coming now. They breed 5-10x faster, and are big enough to hit the local bird population. Then again everything on hawaii just washed up on shore, so what would be considered native at this point...
JGuinan007
Avid Member
So Hawaiians are ok with Jackson being there and have no concerns of environmental impact or it has been determined there is no impact? But no one wants veileds there cause they might kill birds?
nightanole
Chameleon Enthusiast
Jacksons are not hunted down like the veileds, but are considered a pest because "save the snails". Vieleds are treated like invasive snakes, gathered and exterminated.
In other news you are not allowed to have reptiles as pets there, its awkward at pet shops...
brownie64
Avid Member
Life happens who is to say that it isn't in Gods great scheme of things for humans to be part of what introduces a new species. It happens other ways. Not that I'm advocating we should intentionally do something like this, but if it does happen then just maybe it was mint to. Their habitat in the wild has been devastated maybe it's God's way (or nature's way if you prefer) of keeping the animal alive.
bobcochran
Chameleon Enthusiast
Back to the thread's question: yes there are some wild populations of Jacksons on Oahu.
JGuinan007
Avid Member
So can you hunt Jackson's when your in Hawaii and bring them back with you when you leave since they are invasive and murdering the local snails and all
brownie64
Avid Member
I believe it is against the law for someone without the proper permission to trade or transport Jackson's from there do to the fact they are afraid the pet trade will encourage further introduction of the species by people intentionally breeding them. At least it was something like that I read.
paulkaranik
Member
You are allowed to capture and keep Jacksons in Hawaii. It is illegal however to capture and keep a veiled. You are supposed to turn it over to the authorities if you find a veiled because they eat native birds and bird eggs. Its a similar invasion to the mongoose which are out of control now here in hawaii.
You might find this interesting...
http://www.hear.org/alienspeciesinhawaii/waringreports/chameleon.htm
http://www.hear.org/alienspeciesinhawaii/waringreports/chameleon.htm
