Hey guys, its been a really long time since I posted. When I lived on the mainland, I kept and bred Ball pythons, bearded dragons, and plenty of other reptiles. So I am an experienced herper and I do understand the enjoyment of keeping any reptile.
A while back, I got my kids a wild caught Jackson Cham here on Oahu. The guy I bought him from just went out one night and caught 20 Jacksons. He sells most to pet stores and anything he has left, he puts on Craigslist (where I bought from him). Anyways, my Jackson wouldn't eat so after a week, I let him go in the area the guy caught him......off the Pali Highway. I contemplated a captive bred Jackson but my kids are very touchy and I was hoping to find something a bit more hardy. The kids kind of moved on so I put the cage away and its been sitting in my garage ever since.
So, I know many of you are familiar on how the Jacksons Cham was an "invasive" species to Hawaii (which all other lizards here are too). Jacksons are now thriving here in Hawaii along with many other lizards. The State of Hawaii says the Jacksons are invasive and hurting the local ecology, but they won't allow export of them. I think its strange they allow people to keep and breed chameleons if they are so bad for the state.
Regardless, I have read numerous articles and news stories that their are established populations of Tokay and Giant Day geckos in Hawaii. I have met locals that have seen them and even said they would keep a look out for them and sell them to me if they catch one. Of course I would love for my kids to experience reptiles here, even though they are limited. I have even read articles and seen stories of various Veiled Chameleons found all over Maui and Oahu.
Does anyone here know where I can get more information on what is legal and illegal to keep in Hawaii? Im getting mixed stories from various state government agencies. Nobody seems to have a clear answer. I wouldn't break the law and last thing I want to do is screw up any local ecosystem......even though it would be cool to see Tokay's climbing up and down the walls of a house. Thanks for any advice!
A while back, I got my kids a wild caught Jackson Cham here on Oahu. The guy I bought him from just went out one night and caught 20 Jacksons. He sells most to pet stores and anything he has left, he puts on Craigslist (where I bought from him). Anyways, my Jackson wouldn't eat so after a week, I let him go in the area the guy caught him......off the Pali Highway. I contemplated a captive bred Jackson but my kids are very touchy and I was hoping to find something a bit more hardy. The kids kind of moved on so I put the cage away and its been sitting in my garage ever since.
So, I know many of you are familiar on how the Jacksons Cham was an "invasive" species to Hawaii (which all other lizards here are too). Jacksons are now thriving here in Hawaii along with many other lizards. The State of Hawaii says the Jacksons are invasive and hurting the local ecology, but they won't allow export of them. I think its strange they allow people to keep and breed chameleons if they are so bad for the state.
Regardless, I have read numerous articles and news stories that their are established populations of Tokay and Giant Day geckos in Hawaii. I have met locals that have seen them and even said they would keep a look out for them and sell them to me if they catch one. Of course I would love for my kids to experience reptiles here, even though they are limited. I have even read articles and seen stories of various Veiled Chameleons found all over Maui and Oahu.
Does anyone here know where I can get more information on what is legal and illegal to keep in Hawaii? Im getting mixed stories from various state government agencies. Nobody seems to have a clear answer. I wouldn't break the law and last thing I want to do is screw up any local ecosystem......even though it would be cool to see Tokay's climbing up and down the walls of a house. Thanks for any advice!
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