Parson chameleon, Why so expensive!

[Inky]

Hey all did a little window shopping and i have found multiple websites that want to sell these chameleons for over 800$ !!! this is nuts ! can someone explain this ?

 

[xrowdac]

supply & Demand.... is the answer...

 

[Andee]

If you found one solidly at 1000 dollars I would be very wary of how healthy they were or how far out from importation they were. The reason they are so expensive, is because they are a less available species as far as importing/exporting and wildcaught goes, and as far as captive bred (though they do have more success being bred than A LOT of other species) we still have very few established captive bred colonies over here, in the US. I am assuming Europe is still having issues with captive bred too, though they have more. The thing is raising a giant species as a captive bred chameleon is expensive as SHIT (sorry about language) but you spend tons of money on feeders and water. They destroy your insect colonies. They take forever to incubate especially for the amount of eggs you get compared to veileds, and you have to raise them for longer. I don't think they are sold until after 8 months? I think? Not sure?

Less expensive choice, wild caught, however it will cost in vet bills and trying to get the animal healthy. It can easily end in the animal dying or just being generally unhappy as giant species that are wild caught, depending on the individual often do much better in free ranges or absolutely HUGE cages.

 

[Matt Vanilla Gorilla]

Good answer! Egg uncubation is about two years! Immagine the electrical bill alone!

 

[EveryGreen]

Good answer! Egg uncubation is about two years! Immagine the electrical bill alone!

whew 2 years.. if you started parsons breading you wouldnt go into buisness for 2 years.. quite a lot

 

[savage13]

whew 2 years.. if you started parsons breading you wouldnt go into buisness for 2 years.. quite a lot

Actually it's longer.. males reach sexual maturity at 3 years old as far as the female 4 to 5 years of age just to be safe..

 

[Blang]

Actually it's longer.. males reach sexual maturity at 3 years old as far as the female 4 to 5 years of age just to be safe..

about 3 years old! Male oe!

 

[Twitchet]

So if I decide to breed I won't see babies until at least 2022 Yikes!
For me the chameleons were the least expensive bit! add on the enclosures, glasshouses, sheds, electrics installed- I shudder!
Still it's all worth it when they look at you with such love (or parsonii stink eye!)

Blang- FINE looking male- really stunning- hope mine looks like that one day.

 

[Remkon]

So if I decide to breed I won't see babies until at least 2022 Yikes!
For me the chameleons were the least expensive bit! add on the enclosures, glasshouses, sheds, electrics installed- I shudder!
Still it's all worth it when they look at you with such love (or parsonii stink eye!)

Blang- FINE looking male- really stunning- hope mine looks like that one day.

So basically I have until 2022-2023 to save up the moneys amd convince the wife... Hmm interesting...

 

[Twitchet]

So basically I have until 2022-2023 to save up the moneys amd convince the wife... Hmm interesting...

O.k sold to Remkon!

 

[Inky]

thanks to clear up the confusion ! haha those guys seem funny

 

[Remkon]

thanks to clear up the confusion ! haha those guys seem funny

U'd be disappointed, they are very lazy and rarely tell any jokes.

 

[jpowell86]

So if I decide to breed I won't see babies until at least 2022 Yikes!
For me the chameleons were the least expensive bit! add on the enclosures, glasshouses, sheds, electrics installed- I shudder!
Still it's all worth it when they look at you with such love (or parsonii stink eye!)

Blang- FINE looking male- really stunning- hope mine looks like that one day.

EXACTLY!!! I have spent way less on chameleons than I have enclosures, greenhouses, food, mistkings, etc. Good point, Tabitha.

To the OP, the quota on this species is usually pretty low. So, each animal is able to be sold at higher prices because there aren't many coming in. Plus, Madagascar hasn't been re-opened all that long. It was closed for a very long time. So of course some of these animals are going to have a high price tag. But, $800 is nothing compared to what it was even a year ago.

I wish prices would stay high...even go up. It keeps the impulse buys to a minimum. If you were able to walk in and buy a parsonii for $300, they would more than likely go to homes where they would die. Let's be honest....most chameleons suffer that fate anyways. Look on the IUCN and get an idea of how many specimens from each species has been exported and that will give you a great idea of the so called "success" we have with chameleons. It is abysmal. Back before Mada closed, you could get a parsonii for $150. As you can see, we aren't swarming in CBB parsonii.

I am for prices staying high. I wish they would go back up to $1500 a piece. People who are willing to spend that kind of money are serious about the animal and not just buying it because they look cool and will want to resell the animal after 6 months. Just IMO. I wish this for all chameleons.

 

[Matt Vanilla Gorilla]

EXACTLY!!! I have spent way less on chameleons than I have enclosures, greenhouses, food, mistkings, etc. Good point, Tabitha.

To the OP, the quota on this species is usually pretty low. So, each animal is able to be sold at higher prices because there aren't many coming in. Plus, Madagascar hasn't been re-opened all that long. It was closed for a very long time. So of course some of these animals are going to have a high price tag. But, $800 is nothing compared to what it was even a year ago.

I wish prices would stay high...even go up. It keeps the impulse buys to a minimum. If you were able to walk in and buy a parsonii for $300, they would more than likely go to homes where they would die. Let's be honest....most chameleons suffer that fate anyways. Look on the IUCN and get an idea of how many specimens from each species has been exported and that will give you a great idea of the so called "success" we have with chameleons. It is abysmal. Back before Mada closed, you could get a parsonii for $150. As you can see, we aren't swarming in CBB parsonii.

I am for prices staying high. I wish they would go back up to $1500 a piece. People who are willing to spend that kind of money are serious about the animal and not just buying it because they look cool and will want to resell the animal after 6 months. Just IMO. I wish this for all chameleons.

Wisdom, agreed!

 

[Blang]

So if I decide to breed I won't see babies until at least 2022 Yikes!
For me the chameleons were the least expensive bit! add on the enclosures, glasshouses, sheds, electrics installed- I shudder!
Still it's all worth it when they look at you with such love (or parsonii stink eye!)

Blang- FINE looking male- really stunning- hope mine looks like that one day.

I named him Calypso!

 

[Twitchet]

That' s a beautiful name for a very beautiful animal.

 

[Dragon1516]

If you found one solidly at 1000 dollars I would be very wary of how healthy they were or how far out from importation they were. The reason they are so expensive, is because they are a less available species as far as importing/exporting and wildcaught goes, and as far as captive bred (though they do have more success being bred than A LOT of other species) we still have very few established captive bred colonies over here, in the US. I am assuming Europe is still having issues with captive bred too, though they have more. The thing is raising a giant species as a captive bred chameleon is expensive as SHIT (sorry about language) but you spend tons of money on feeders and water. They destroy your insect colonies. They take forever to incubate especially for the amount of eggs you get compared to veileds, and you have to raise them for longer. I don't think they are sold until after 8 months? I think? Not sure?

Less expensive choice, wild caught, however it will cost in vet bills and trying to get the animal healthy. It can easily end in the animal dying or just being generally unhappy as giant species that are wild caught, depending on the individual often do much better in free ranges or absolutely HUGE cages.

Completely agree with this however parsons can lay up to 60 eggs as well however people breed them too soon and that causes smaller clutches. In the wild it is common for parsons to lay from 40-50 eggs but in captivity most people rush it and don't do whats best for the chameleons.

 

[Andee]

I didn't know they laid so many, it's worrisome that they get rushed so quickly. I am glad to know that they do have rather "normal" XD clutch sizes compared to smaller chameleons. I hope people take into account rushing chameleons is not healthy. Beautiful chameleons like these guys need to be spoiled.

 

[Chameleon Crazy Chick]

I didn't know they laid so many, it's worrisome that they get rushed so quickly. I am glad to know that they do have rather "normal" XD clutch sizes compared to smaller chameleons. I hope people take into account rushing chameleons is not healthy. Beautiful chameleons like these guys need to be spoiled.

Amen!

 

[Dragon1516]

Yes I agree I have 6 of them and yes i will be breeding but not until the females are 5 years old at least. Its not about the money to me its about the animals and that is how every breeder should be but unfortunately most don't.