Brookesia perarmata

It's best not to look at what species of chameleons exist, and better to concern yourself with what are presently available. If Canadian chameleon keepers didn't follow this mantra, we'd never get anythign done chameleon wise. Enjoy the vast diversity in species that the USA has to offer, because other countries are much less fortunate.

Though I did see some Quadricornus up here the other day... Yay. Woo.
 
yea, that would be a wise choice. Not to mention that will probably be the route i take. I guess i am just an "out of the ordinary" person. i would much like to challenge myself, but if the opportunity presents itself you better believe i will take it.
 
Everyone wants something rare- until they start having questions or problems and there is no one to turn to for questions. Why not just concentrate on expanding your knowledge with diversity in chameleon keeping instead of doing ;trial and expensive-error' with a rarer species.

If you haven't kept any pygmies at all, it might not be the weisest to start with a limited, rare, and expensive species like Brookesia therezieni.
 
Justin,

I think you need to be honest with yourself. You have experience with CB veileds and panthers, the two easiest chameleons available and you're looking to get rare, very difficult to keep, WC species. I'm not trying to say your care ethic isn't excellent but not having had success with WC animals, let alone a more difficult CB species, I think trying to jump into a rare WC species is a horrible idea. Will is right on this one, you need to get a hardy WC pygmy or other hardy WC species and get a feeling for dealing with WC and different species before you get one of the more difficult, rarer species. Have you considered quadricornis, brevicaudatus, werneri or something of that sort? These would be good species to get experience with and set yourself up for success down the road with more difficult species. Chameleons aren't a group of animal where you have a good chance at taking huge leaps without the practical successful experience to fall back on.

Chris
 
yes, i do agree with you guys. i agree 100% that i may not be ready for such great leaps and bounds. i damn well would like to give it a shot. i will take your advice and stick to smaller steps, mostly on the animals sake.
might i add chris i think it is truly amazing what you have done at age 23.
i would'nt call it jealous, but i would give almost anything to work along side of you. i truly admire several people on this site and look to them as mentors.
One thing i told myself before i got into chameleons is that i wanted to see the world. Madagascar, New Zealand, Austarlia, South Africa and the Galapagos Islands.
my plan is to save enough money to have "early retirement", in other words take 2-3 years off while i am young and see these places. hopefully by 25 i can accomplish this. thanks guys!!
 
"Hard to keep" but I used to walk past a dry cage with no live plants and very basic lighting that housed a dozen of these in Escondido, CA when they were not protected. They wanted a lot for them, maybe $100 at the time and stayed brown. But they had them like this for a long time and looked like you could not kill these things. I bet too much humidity gave them the rep for difficult.
 
Totally agree with what others have advised. Used to keep veileds & panthers for a number of years myself. Have only fairly recently (approx 12 months or so) started keeping pygmy's. Just getting WC pygmies, even the common species to acclimatise & thrive, is an achievement in itself. Plenty of interesting species available & a challenge even to the most experienced keepers.
Got a few ideas myself regards acclimatising WC animals, especially Rieppoleon brevicaudatus. Having lost a few animals already, in the short space of time i have been keeping them. I have found brevicaudatus, to be particularly territorial & quite aggressive. Personally, to give them the best chance of survival & to really thrive. I'm of the opinion that it's important to house species individually, as opposed to pairs or even trios/groups. Especially with newly imported animals. Though haven't yet tried the very large enclosure/group scenario as yet. But watch this space... ;) Currently planning a large set up for a group of Rhampholeon temporalis, but i'm waiting for them to get really established before trying to house them together long term.
Good luck & don't discount the more common species. As they are still interesting & challenging imo, anyway.
 
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