Why mainstream?

[Carlton]

I've been wondering this for quite some time...

Why did you personally pick to stay "mainstream"? By that i mean sticking to veileds, panthers and even maybe jacksons. Seems like the great great majority sticks to those two main chameleons. Is it because of their size and they are hardy? because you simply like their colors and look better? or are you somewhat intimidated of trying a more delicate genus. Or possibly because of the lack of captive bred quantity compared to veileds and panthers.

This is simply just a post out of curiosity.

Don't think I've ever chosen a pet because it was mainstream. Back when I got my first cham the only cbb ones available were veileds and I knew better than to risk the health of any wc animal on a complete newbie. After that, most of my chams were rescues. Montane species do better in my climate anyway.

 

[Olimpia]

I hope you didn't take it as me criticizing about it. It honestly was just a question out of curiosity and to start a kind of different discussion.

No, no, not at all! But I have seen a couple members on here (haven't seen them in a few months now that I think about it) who were always quick to say how silly it is to keep veiled and panthers and not more challenging chameleon species, as if it made you a lesser chameleon keeper for sticking to those species. And I could never understand it, it felt so "elitist" of them in a way. Like they thought they were driving Ferraris and we were stuck on tricycles.

But I have uncommon dogs and uncommon reptiles to begin with, why can't that be enough!? lol



Oh and Camimom, don't worry, there will be pics in the next day or two!

 

[Sticktongue]

Good i'm glad you didn't take my reasoning wrong!

Yes, uncommon reptiles is enough is my mind

No matter what the hobby is or whatever, in life.. there is ALWAYS those people that think they are better than others for whatever reason.

 

[c2c]

my reason was cost and ease. I got my Jackson Pair for $100USD and so far they are pretty easy to take care of

 

[camimom]

No, no, not at all! But I have seen a couple members on here (haven't seen them in a few months now that I think about it) who were always quick to say how silly it is to keep veiled and panthers and not more challenging chameleon species, as if it made you a lesser chameleon keeper for sticking to those species. And I could never understand it, it felt so "elitist" of them in a way. Like they thought they were driving Ferraris and we were stuck on tricycles.

But I have uncommon dogs and uncommon reptiles to begin with, why can't that be enough!? lol



Oh and Camimom, don't worry, there will be pics in the next day or two!

I am the same way. i like hwat i like, idont care if others have it too. do i want to be different sure. but not at the expense of myself.

I have an uncommon dog, ive had german shorhair pointers, i have an english setter. andi havea ferret.

adn i want photos soon!

 

[Seeco]

Wow I've got another question:

"How did I miss this thread?"

 

[Zen Reptiles]

For me it is availability. Canada doesn't have so many options, and SHIPPING kills me. Shipping often costs more than the animals do, which is BS.

Also, I have tried rarer species of lizards and geckos, and they always end up dying. I had some animals imported from Malaysia, they all died within 2 weeks. The cost isn't worth it to try rare WC chams. I simply don't have the resources if there are major problems, or if my entire collection gets coccidia or something. I have heard some serious horror stories about outbreaks in collections.

I would like to try Meller's, and in years to come and when space permits...Parson's. For now I am on the hunt for some Jackson's, Quads, or Montiums. I know that hunt will take me years though, it took me 7 years to get the panthers I wanted!

 

[Sticktongue]

Wow I've got another question:

"How did I miss this thread?"

No idea.. i was wondering why you didn't comment.

So, Louis i've been wondering. How did you get into your kinyongia. Do explain your kinyongia story if you dont mind

 

[Goldenarcher1328]

I've been wondering this for quite some time...

Why did you personally pick to stay "mainstream"? By that i mean sticking to veileds, panthers and even maybe jacksons. Seems like the great great majority sticks to those two main chameleons. Is it because of their size and they are hardy? because you simply like their colors and look better? or are you somewhat intimidated of trying a more delicate genus. Or possibly because of the lack of captive bred quantity compared to veileds and panthers.

This is simply just a post out of curiosity.

For me, its Not alot of selection for chams in NH and i'm not always thrilled about shipping animals, Feeders are fine to ship. but all i've seen around here are Veils, the occasional and i mean very scarce panthers, the occasional jacksons and pygmy's. Pygmy's are too small for me, i love the big reptiles. and for the others, just liked the veil i found better.

I had a "Giant Usambara (not sure if that is spelt correctly) Three Horned Chameleon available to me, but i already had one and hadn't yet decided to get another one, by then it was gone...

 

[ChamomilleCame]

Here, it's pretty much everything. People aren't the most trustworthy here, so the chameleon would probably come after the one day shipping... I've never tried it but I would bet it has happened. It's also pretty darn expensive to bring anything here. There's surely a limitation of what chameleons you can get here, too. Mainstream sometimes is your only option, imo. Depends where you live. That's really what I think. It's all location. And sometimes the availability, space in your home, etc. Everything comes together.

 

[Seeco]

So, Louis i've been wondering. How did you get into your kinyongia. Do explain your kinyongia story if you dont mind

My house (rental) was what got me to keep montanes. The microhabitat on the south facing wall of my garage, with about 10 ft wide strip of land separating it from the house, made for the perfect "sunny canyon". The year round temps were too low for panthers or veileds. Jacksons were overrunning Hawaii and established in San Luis Obispo. Kinyongia have a TINY home range that could be obliterated in the blink of an eye but at that time they were still very available and cheap. That's it!

 

[Panthergirl11]

I chose my panther because I love their colors! I always wanted a living rainbow. I've never even thought of owning a different species.

 

[Sticktongue]

My house (rental) was what got me to keep montanes. The microhabitat on the south facing wall of my garage, with about 10 ft wide strip of land separating it from the house, made for the perfect "sunny canyon". The year round temps were too low for panthers or veileds. Jacksons were overrunning Hawaii and established in San Luis Obispo. Kinyongia have a TINY home range that could be obliterated in the blink of an eye but at that time they were still very available and cheap. That's it!

Thats a cool different reason for choosing a species than most stories. I had no idea how small of an area they lived in untill about a month ago. Crazy how tiny it is.

 

[Action Jackson]

Chameleons are like potato chips. Everyone has their favorite, some people have a few favorites and some people just eat everything

I talked to someone that thought Parson's are boring and bland. Some people go gaga over'em. I have Parson's and a Panther but I really love my Jackson's.

Horns Rule!!!!

 

[camimom]

Chameleons are like potato chips. Everyone has their favorite, some people have a few favorites and some people just eat everything

I talked to someone that thought Parson's are boring and bland. Some people go gaga over'em. I have Parson's and a Panther but I really love my Jackson's.

Horns Rule!!!!

Whoever said parsons are bland. should be smacked.
I think, and this is just my personal opinion....
Is that all the chams have attributes that make them each special.
So for me, I cannot CHOOSE a favorite because they are just too different for me.
You like horns from your jacksons.
I like the noses from my hoes, the spots/barring from my veileds, and the crazy red rain and greens my faly show.

Its like comparing apples to oranges, almost

they are all chams, i love them all, just for different reasons.

 

[Olimpia]

It's true that we should recommend that new keepers start with species besides panthers and veileds, the care of other chameleons isn't drastically different or complicated, and as long as the keepers do their research and the animal is CB they shouldn't experience issues. I have a feeling that if someone is a "dumb keeper" then they're just as likely to kill their veiled as they are anything else, someone who isn't careful with one isn't going to be careful with another species.

For me, I have an appreciation for all species, but I don't love all of them. Like I said earlier, there are perhaps 5 species that I like enough to own, and with most others I am completely indifferent or find really goofy looking. I love the look and feel of Parson's, but nothing in the world would possess me to spend that much on a lizard. Spending a grand on a dog is one thing, but spending two or three on an animal you can't interact with extensively is not on my list of reasonable purchases. lol Personally, anyway. <-- This right here, is the opinionated rants that happen when you sleep 4 hours. Sorry Parson's lovers!

 

[camimom]

It's true that we should recommend that new keepers start with species besides panthers and veileds, the care of other chameleons isn't drastically different or complicated, and as long as the keepers do their research and the animal is CB they shouldn't experience issues. I have a feeling that if someone is a "dumb keeper" then they're just as likely to kill their veiled as they are anything else, someone who isn't careful with one isn't going to be careful with another species.

For me, I have an appreciation for all species, but I don't love all of them. Like I said earlier, there are perhaps 5 species that I like enough to own, and with most others I am completely indifferent or find really goofy looking. I love the look and feel of Parson's, but nothing in the world would possess me to spend that much on a lizard. Spending a grand on a dog is one thing, but spending two or three on an animal you can't interact with extensively is not on my list of reasonable purchases. lol Personally, anyway. <-- This right here, is the opinionated rants that happen when you sleep 4 hours. Sorry Parson's lovers!

i totally understand that rant! lol.
Do i like parsons yes.do i want to own one. yes.

HOWEVER... I cannot in my forseeable future, justify spending 2k+ on an animal that like you siad, you cant cuddle, pet, interact with much.

I spent a grand on my puppy, and it was totally worth it. but any other animal.. i cant justify it. (ntm the hubby would prob kill me)

 

[Chali2naRap]

At one point i would love to have a room with a Jackson's, Yellow-bodied blue bar ambilobe, Mellers, Parson, and Fischer. For me starting with a mainstream is the first and easiest step towards this goal. When it comes to learning your ABC's it wouldnt be good to start with Z

 

[Goldenarcher1328]

At one point i would love to have a room with a Jackson's, Yellow-bodied blue bar ambilobe, Mellers, Parson, and Fischer. For me starting with a mainstream is the first and easiest step towards this goal. When it comes to learning your ABC's it wouldnt be good to start with Z

Well said. I think that there are a few people who could agree with that.
Personally, i only have veils at the moment. Why? Because im 19, Broke and if i get another reptile its the streets for me haha. However, once i have my own home, a stable income and a more reliable knowledge i do plan on spreading my species list far and wide as i love all sorts of chameleons, as i do with monitor lizards and tegus.

Why did i start with the veils? it was available, i loved the look of my first one and second one, and it was a good intro into chameleon keeping.

 

[jmwhitel]

all of the above......