Male or Female? What's the difference?

[LaVert]

Hello all, Thank You for such an informative site.
Don't have any chams right now, but did have a pair of Jackson's several years ago and absolutely loved them. Am just now starting to be ready to try again, but am extremely interested in Panthers and doing alllll the research I can before I take the leap....
Please bear with me if this seems like a stupid question (I've been trying to search this info out, don't see the exact answer, so...)
Panthers are egg layers - will the females lay eggs without being mated, like a chicken? How often if not bred?
Is there a difference in personality between males and females?
I am not sure breeding is the direction I'd like to take, I'd like to just have one and see how that goes, but don't know which sex to choose...Thoughts?
Thanks again for such a great site!

 

[Sporkthedork]

Hello all, Thank You for such an informative site.
Don't have any chams right now, but did have a pair of Jackson's several years ago and absolutely loved them. Am just now starting to be ready to try again, but am extremely interested in Panthers and doing alllll the research I can before I take the leap....
Please bear with me if this seems like a stupid question (I've been trying to search this info out, don't see the exact answer, so...)
Panthers are egg layers - will the females lay eggs without being mated, like a chicken? How often if not bred?
Is there a difference in personality between males and females?
I am not sure breeding is the direction I'd like to take, I'd like to just have one and see how that goes, but don't know which sex to choose...Thoughts?
Thanks again for such a great site!

For a first panther, always get a male. They tend to be more colorful and more active. My female usually likes to stay in her perch, while my male roams around his cage all day. As for females laying eggs without being mated, females due lay unfertilized eggs (slugs) like chickens. With that, they should always have an egg-laying bin in their enclosure at all times. If she doesn't feel safe enough to drop those slugs or eggs, then she might retain them and become eggbound which could lead to her death if not treated properly.

 

[kinyonga]

Welcome to the forum!

You said..."Panthers are egg layers - will the females lay eggs without being mated, like a chicken?"...they can lay eggs without being bred...so its important to have a suitable place for them to dig in their cage so you won't miss the sometimes subtle indications that they need to lay.

You said..."How often if not bred?"...I can't give you a definite answer on that. This site has some information...
http://www.adcham.com/html/taxonomy/species/fpardalis.html

You said..."Is there a difference in personality between males and females?"...each is an individual and each has its own personality...but generally I have found the males to be a little less testy than the females.

You said you don't know which sex to choose...males generally live longer, have no egglaying problems and are more colorful.

Here are some good sites to read...
http://www.chameleonnews.com/
http://www.uvguide.co.uk/index.htm
https://www.chameleonforums.com/supplementation-mbd-1-a-2451/

 

[LaVert]

Thank you for such quick responses!

I'd read on the 2 links, thanks to this website, but I guess got a little fuzzy since it seemed like the emphasis was on the bred female.
Is being egg bound really a common problem?

The Jackson's female I'd had was very sweet, and seemed to like people more than the male, which is why I guess I have a softer spot for the girls...But I also don't want to lose any to untimely bad circumstances!

 

[Chameleon Company]

I have noticed a difference ...

Is there a difference in personality between males and females?

The females seem to be happiest when shopping.

 

[Tapple]

I have two females panthers. One is a sweetheart and the other is like my sister in law.

 

[bobcochran]

Come on Jim!? Ha Ha.
If you're going to have only one panther you should get a male. If you get a
young one you can have an influence on its behavior toward human interaction
in a positive way most of the time.

 

[Lathelia]

I disagree that you should get a male. I think it's totally up to you. Most people start with males, as they are more colorful and easier to take care of since they don't lay eggs and then buy females only for breeding (not all of course). If you like females coloration (their colors are different than males, but are beautiful in their own way) and provide good husbandry (with a laying bin), she shouldn't have problems with laying, especially that you already have experince with chameleons.
I have only one female and even though I try to do my best, she still has problems with laying eggs, but I watch her closely and Im prepared for a vet visit if I see someting is wrong.
If despite that, you think you want a female, I would say go for it. The fact that you do your research before getting a new cham and you're asking questions about your concerns, proves that you're dedicated keeper and should not have problems with female panther if you choose to get one

 

[camimom]

Females will of course, lay eggs, bred or not.

However, how often is really influenced by food and temps.

The more food you feed and the higher your temps, the more often she will lay.

Males are more colorful, and more expensive.

Females are still gorgeous in their own right.

I have two male and two female panthers. (only the one male and the 2 girls can breed though)

Anyway, I would also look at what size area you have.

Males need a 2x2x4 area, females can typically do a smaller size.

Females need lay bins, and usually don't have issues with laying eggs (though every female is different)

I have 6 adult/juvi chams. All 6 have different personalities.

I find when you cant decide.. both is always the best.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

(this thread is from 2008)