Source or breeders for best chance at a spectacular ambilobe

[Franquixote]

I am just about ready to make a purchase- and since I can only afford 1 setup and it takes a year to truly see what a chameleon's colors are going to be I want to maximize my chances at getting a truly spectacular specimen.

The baseline for what I like is an ambilobe with electric green background and sky blue stripes, I'm told this is generally referred to only as a "blue bar" ambilobe.

Like everyone else, I want every color of the rainbow, and any purple coloring in a specimen seems to be almost impossible to predict but I think it's amazing when it does show up.

My question is how to maximize my chances at getting that "holy grail" of a specimen when most breeders only show you what the sire looks like, and most breeders sell way before any predictions at all can be made about what you're going to end up with.

Chameleon paradise and FLChams currently are in the running with the attached photos to give some idea of what I am after.

If anyone has any info or tips on who, where, or how to accomplish the task of finding what I'm after please share your expertise- I only have 1 shot at this because of the prices and fact I can only put one enclosure up.

Thank you!!!

 

[Theveiled]

I would check out chameleons only stock. (They are a sponsor) Their panthers are AMAZING!

 

[jamest0o0]

Hey man I think you're over thinking it a little. Pay for a hold back ambilobe of a sire you like and you'll get a nice chameleon. Panthers don't just turn out as duds unless husbandry is off, they will have all the colors, just look for the one you like. I recommend kammerflage or tree candy. I don't think you'll find purple in an ambilobes, but you will in a tree candy ambanja. I only recommend these 2 because they're my favorite breeders and sources for my chameleons. Chameleon paradise has cowboy who is a green/yellow blue barred ambilobe. Very cool... any reputable breeder here who has a sire/dams sure you like will produce a panther with amazing colors.

 

[Zephalia]

Hey man I think you're over thinking it a little. Pay for a hold back ambilobe of a sire you like and you'll get a nice chameleon. Panthers don't just turn out as duds unless husbandry is off, they will have all the colors, just look for the one you like. I recommend kammerflage or tree candy. I don't think you'll find purple in an ambilobes, but you will in a tree candy ambanja. I only recommend these 2 because they're my favorite breeders and sources for my chameleons. Chameleon paradise has cowboy who is a green/yellow blue barred ambilobe. Very cool... any reputable breeder here who has a sire/dams sure you like will produce a panther with amazing colors.

This^

Unless you are buying an adult chameleon, you will never have a guarantee of their colouration. If you keep your eyes open, sometimes a breeder will let go of a holdback that they decided not to keep. I've seen blue bar Ambilobes produce red bar offspring - and then those offspring, when bred, produce blue bar babies. I've seen juvenile Ambilobes look like they were going to be blue bars and turn around at a year to be completely red. lol...

 

[Scottsquatch]

I just simply purchased 9 eggs of three different localities from a well known member on this forum in addition to the 5 month old ambanja I purchased from another member. After they hatch, I will grow them out for 6 months or more and then select the ones I think show the most potential. Not a bullet proof method by any means, but it will be enjoyable for me as I will get the experience of raising them up myself. I'm a disabled vet and stay at home dad, so the time won't be too big of an issue. I plan to sell or trade those I do not decide to keep in order to aquire unrelated stock for breeding. I tend to immerse myself in my hobbies.

 

[ChamLB]

@Scottsquatch an interesting plan. Way to go deep.
Looking at the sires and grand sires is your best guide to potential color but as mentioned above is not a guarantee of coloring.

 

[Goose502]

I purchased from chameleon paradise, an offspring of sourpatch, and I couldn't be more amazed at both his fired up and pj colors, or his amazing temperament. Bruce over there is an absolute wealth of knowledge as well.

 

[Chromatic Chameleons]

Can't go wrong with canvas chameleons!

 

[Scottsquatch]

@Scottsquatch an interesting plan. Way to go deep.
Looking at the sires and grand sires is your best guide to potential color but as mentioned above is not a guarantee of coloring.

Oh, I've seen pics of sires and dams sires as well, but as mentioned above, that is still no guarantee. I figure that this way, I'll have a very good chance of getting what I'm looking for.