Parsons

SaintJimmy

SaintJimmy

Avid Member
There doesn't seem to be much information on these amazing chameleons.

Can someone chime in and teach us about these chameleons?

We see many parsons pictures, but never too much information on the condition they live in, the size they grow to, the space requirements, the heat, the food, the natural plants they'd live around, etc!

There has to be a parsons guru somewhere :D
 
Sticktongue said:
From my understanding they are kinda secretive. Hope we get some responses though!
Click to expand...

Yeah I know! I was snooping around on how to eventually obtain one of these a while ago.

I really want to be able to have interactions with all sorts of species of chameleons.

I came across a thread that mentioned if you bought something from ChamForums and mailed a questionnare in (or something of the sorts) with some cash (I can't remember the details) you will be eligible to finally purchase a Parsons of your choice from a responsible breeder on the forums (I assume is a moderator).

But I don't understand why the information is kept so secretly on here.

Even when the big Parson's abuse fiasco was going on (see this thread: https://www.chameleonforums.com/parsonii-yellow-giant-115723/) people tried to help but even higher up members (moderators, admins) only gave SO MUCH advice.

How is anyone going to properly care for a Parsons without having the information?

I'm sure not everyone wants to go become a biologist/herpetologist just for the purpose of gaining information about Parsons just so they can own them, lol.

And caresheets online give very vague information!
 
I notice this Also.

Really been looking into maybe getting one, but can't find much info either. They are really rare in the UK and big money when avalible. Would love to learn more about them before commiting to looking after one. Amazing creatures
 
jannb said:
You might find this thread by Andreas interesting.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/calumma-parsonii-parsonii-84839/
Click to expand...

Thank you Jann! I get really excited when I see info on Parsons. I love pictures as well. They are just so awesome. I want to learn a bunch about them. Again thanks.

pantheraddict said:
I notice this Also.

Really been looking into maybe getting one, but can't find much info either. They are really rare in the UK and big money when avalible. Would love to learn more about them before commiting to looking after one. Amazing creatures
Click to expand...

Yeah I know they're like, 2,000$-4,000$! But they are delicate and rare when it comes to chameleons, and they require special space and just.. Wow.
 
SaintJimmy said:
Thank you Jann! I get really excited when I see info on Parsons. I love pictures as well. They are just so awesome. I want to learn a bunch about them. Again thanks.



Yeah I know they're like, 2,000$-4,000$! But they are delicate and rare when it comes to chameleons, and they require special space and just.. Wow.
Click to expand...

They aren't that delicate and not that rare. There are many chameleons that are harder to obtain and more difficult to keep. The challenge with Parsonii is breeding, egg laying and incubation.imo. I find Parsons to be hardy and fairly easy to keep. Housing needs to be adequate for their size but they are pretty sedentary for the most part.
 
Action Jackson said:
They aren't that delicate and not that rare. There are many chameleons that are harder to obtain and more difficult to keep. The challenge with Parsonii is breeding, egg laying and incubation.imo. I find Parsons to be hardy and fairly easy to keep. Housing needs to be adequate for their size but they are pretty sedentary for the most part.
Click to expand...

You know what I meant though, hopefully.

By delicate, I mean REQUIRE things that most cham owners would overlook, like special heating requirements/lighting requirements and space. Their skin is soft and delicate, as well as their feet, too.

How are they not rare? I've spent hours searching classifieds and posts and videos about information on them and only gotten a few things. The difficult captive breeding makes them harder to obtain than other chameleons.

You wouldn't just give a newbie a parsons, right? That's what I'm saying.

Have you owned parsons? Could you tell me what they're like in terms of attitude? Or do they all vary?
 
First, just to clarify, the complicated series of events needed to become eligible to finally purchase a Parsons that you described was a joke because everyone seems convinced its some sort of secret society. With that said, I would not agree that parson's keepers are secretive. Every parson's keeper I have ever known has always been happy to share their experiences and answer specific questions if they are asked, and many share photos of their animals, enclosures, etc., very openly. I would say, however, that in general those of us who work with or have worked with parson's all appreciate the importance of doing research, and realize the value in buying a book (or ten), utilizing the wealth of information that has been made available (if you search the forums, other websites, and published books and articles, there is a ton of information available) and educating yourself. The reality is that there is a lot of "information on the condition they live in, the size they grow to, the space requirements, the heat, the food, the natural plants they'd live around, etc", you just have to do some research. Anyone keeping parson's shouldn't need to be spoon fed this basic information, they should be able to do basic research on the animals they are caring for, and as a result, you don't tend to find step-by-step instructions and caresheets on every website and forum like you do for veiled chameleons and species that people commonly buy on a whim.

Chris
 
It was a few years ago when I read this, but I remember a thread with a comment from a member that keeps /kept them (can't remember who) but they mentioned their was kind of a "Parsons club" type thing that the Parsons owners discussed more in depth information, ideas, techniques. I think that's where I got that they are secretive.

I apologize for the un accurate comment I said previous.

I think Chris is right, with them not being so abundant, we think their is not much info on them. But think about it, the owners had to get it from somewhere when they all first started.


Thanks for the previous links, yall. I somehow missed both those threads.
 
Chris Anderson said:
First, just to clarify, the complicated series of events needed to become eligible to finally purchase a Parsons that you described was a joke because everyone seems convinced its some sort of secret society. With that said, I would not agree that parson's keepers are secretive. Every parson's keeper I have ever known has always been happy to share their experiences and answer specific questions if they are asked, and many share photos of their animals, enclosures, etc., very openly. I would say, however, that in general those of us who work with or have worked with parson's all appreciate the importance of doing research, and realize the value in buying a book (or ten), utilizing the wealth of information that has been made available (if you search the forums, other websites, and published books and articles, there is a ton of information available) and educating yourself. The reality is that there is a lot of "information on the condition they live in, the size they grow to, the space requirements, the heat, the food, the natural plants they'd live around, etc", you just have to do some research. Anyone keeping parson's shouldn't need to be spoon fed this basic information, they should be able to do basic research on the animals they are caring for, and as a result, you don't tend to find step-by-step instructions and caresheets on every website and forum like you do for veiled chameleons and species that people commonly buy on a whim.

Chris
Click to expand...

Chris you are like a cham celebrity! haha.

Thank you for the info. I have done tons of research on parsons (while I am not planning on owning one any time soon) and I want to own one in the future.

It is just very hard to find information. I have spent hours and hours just on parsons reading up, watching vids, reading threads etc, but really the only good source of information I've gotten is from the madagascar (chameleons of madagascar) cd and the thread Jann linked me to.

The fact that the thread was a joke is hilarious I think :D I thought it was a serious "secret society" thing; but what if someone does take it seriously lol.
 
SaintJimmy said:
Thank you Jann! I get really excited when I see info on Parsons. I love pictures as well. They are just so awesome. I want to learn a bunch about them. Again thanks.



Yeah I know they're like, 2,000$-4,000$! But they are delicate and rare when it comes to chameleons, and they require special space and just.. Wow.
Click to expand...

Oops repost!
 
Sticktongue said:
It was a few years ago when I read this, but I remember a thread with a comment from a member that keeps /kept them (can't remember who) but they mentioned their was kind of a "Parsons club" type thing that the Parsons owners discussed more in depth information, ideas, techniques. I think that's where I got that they are secretive.
Click to expand...

The Calumma parsonii forum is not secret. Its the second hit on a google search and says "Website and forum about calumma parsonii chameleons" in the search results: http://bit.ly/1aiJGyV There are also plenty of books with information on C. parsonii, both in the wild and captivity.

Chris
 
Research the Forums book store there are a couple books written by some of the most accomplished Parsonii authors possible when it comes to the basic husbandry requirements of Calumma parsonii parsonii and even breeding. There are other threads on this forums that have got great information too you just have to actually research a bit.

Jeremy A. Rich
 
The reason one can say parson's aren't super rare or difficult to care for is because they are easier to get and keep alive than many other species. For example, several of the bradypodion species that are owned by members here represent nearly the entire captive population in the US, not to mention highly experienced and meticulous keepers are losing them.

I can name multiple species that are literally impossible to get in the US. I would say that is more rare...

It really is much easier to find info in the wild on them too. Not to mention multiple keepers here who keep and breed and would gladly help you out.

On the flip side it has been very difficult to find collection info and habitat of the Senegal chameleon, and there are very few experienced breeders to draw from. most common chameleon in the trade...

Parsons are regal, majestic, huge, and endangered. This makes them attractive to any idiot with a few bucks and an ego problem. I would think it is reasonable for experienced parsons keepers to have a vested interest in every available animal going to an experienced, reliable keeper who is intending to breed and help grow the captive population. The breeding is the hard part...

So if it seems like they don't want to share maybe they don't? If I bred parsons I wouldn't sell to just anyone. Even at the prices charged a successful breeding requires so much time and energy the great emotional investment means those babies are going to people you know and trust. More than a few here have highly trained herp vets on speed dial and won't flinch at a vet bill that makes the Cham look inexpensive. That's the kind of person who gets them.
 
DanSB said:
The reason one can say parson's aren't super rare or difficult to care for is because they are easier to get and keep alive than many other species. For example, several of the bradypodion species that are owned by members here represent nearly the entire captive population in the US, not to mention highly experienced and meticulous keepers are losing them.

I can name multiple species that are literally impossible to get in the US. I would say that is more rare...

It really is much easier to find info in the wild on them too. Not to mention multiple keepers here who keep and breed and would gladly help you out.

On the flip side it has been very difficult to find collection info and habitat of the Senegal chameleon, and there are very few experienced breeders to draw from. most common chameleon in the trade...

Parsons are regal, majestic, huge, and endangered. This makes them attractive to any idiot with a few bucks and an ego problem. I would think it is reasonable for experienced parsons keepers to have a vested interest in every available animal going to an experienced, reliable keeper who is intending to breed and help grow the captive population. The breeding is the hard part...

So if it seems like they don't want to share maybe they don't? If I bred parsons I wouldn't sell to just anyone. Even at the prices charged a successful breeding requires so much time and energy the great emotional investment means those babies are going to people you know and trust. More than a few here have highly trained herp vets on speed dial and won't flinch at a vet bill that makes the Cham look inexpensive. That's the kind of person who gets them.
Click to expand...

EXACTLY!!!! Very well said!
 
When given the appropriate conditions Parsons Chameleons are not difficult to take care of. However for aspiring keepers keeping Furcifer pardalis, Trioceros deremensis, or Trioceros quadricornis to think Parsonii have got the same water, temperature, food, or similar space requirements they are being extremely naive. In those regards Parsonii are a far more advanced species in regards to captive husbandry.
 
Motherlode Chameleon said:
When given the appropriate conditions Parsons Chameleons are not difficult to take care of. However for aspiring keepers keeping Furcifer pardalis, Trioceros deremensis, or Trioceros quadricornis to think Parsonii have got the same water, temperature, food, or similar space requirements they are being extremely naive. In those regards Parsonii are a far more advanced species in regards to captive husbandry.
Click to expand...

Advanced or different? To me advanced animals must fit into one of 3 categories: 1: Very little is known about correct husbandry. 2: The animal is very unforgiving to any improper environmental conditions that could arise from inexperience monitoring and controlling environments. 3: The animal is generally very temperamental and poses constant challenges such as feeding, susceptibility to disease etc.

From what I've read they are no more difficult than most chameleon species which I would place in the intermediate level in general. A good beginner chameleon is a bearded dragon, ha.

I am curious as you have way more experience if you would call them more advanced than an average chameleon, or just different.
 
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