Fischers are SO underrated...why??

mbondy

mbondy

New Member
So as many of you know, I have a Kinyongia Multituberculata Fischer male. I've had my guy (Herbie) in my care for over a month now and absolutely adore him, he's such a character and also incredibly friendly yet very manly. I hope to get a female for him soon and have a few offspring from them.

After doing some research, I notice most keepers have Panthers and/or Veileds. Of course there are other popular breeds but I find Panthers and Veileds to be the most popular. My question is why? Is it the color that attracts new keepers or frankly because both Panthers and Veileds are more common? I also take into account that they are more forgiving of mistakes by new keepers.

But what is it??

For instance, my grandma who doesn't like reptiles really loves to see my Panther and not my Fischer, truly it's just because of my Panthers colors as he has a great display of reds, blues, greens, and yellows at such a young age. Don't get my wrong, my Panther (Titus) is a great cham and also very friendly. Maybe I'm just attracted more to those horns or something! lol

There are not many keepers who breed Fischers, but I know there are some members here that have some Fischers and a few do breed them. I want to breed my guy but have to take into account that I will have problems selling some of the offspring so I can only think that I need to incubate fewer eggs although I can anticipate on a smaller clutch size (about 8-14 eggs).

What are your thoughts on Fischers and the popularity of Panthers and Veileds? I'm curious what all you experts think :D
 
Well you know I AM biased in this situation but I DO think it is stupid that 90 percent of chameleons in captivity are either veiled or panther. I do not have many problems with my Kinyongia (Fischer's) so if veileds or panthers are easier then they must be REALLY REALLY EASY like snakes you can keep in a shoe box.

I do have one contribution that is fact -- when I did a reptile show in Los Angeles (which is a fairly modern and progressive place) many buyers wanted females (which are less colorful) because the HORNS ON THE MALES DISTURBED THEM. I asked one customer why and she said "Like the devil or something."

Woah

It is ingrained in our culture maybe. Try carefully to see if that is what your grandma thinks and let us know. If you just ask her straight up she may realize how silly it sounds and deny it so see if you can get it out.
 
Frankly I think its all based on coloration. For some reason a colorful pardalis is less intimidating to most uninitated ppl than a lime green fishers with the rostral projection. Ive had ppl tell me that they loved my falys then they see my mitsio and say "what is that thing?" You should see their faces when I explain its exactly the same species only a different locale so therefore a diff color and a little diff head/body shape.

Whats wrong is that fishers as well as most other montanes and less common sp prices are just whack. A person wanting to work with them has almost no chance at even breaking even on a breeding project. I would love to own a few but I doubt I'd ever breed them because of the ability or lack thereof to be able to sell tham at a price point where I could recover my costs relating to feeders and housing.
 
I really think they are easy to take care of (Fischers'), then again I haven't raised a baby to adulthood or have a whole lot of experience but the only difference with my fischer and baby panther is the amount of water my fischer drinks and a little higher humidity.

The horns disturb people, what?! Well I guess they're different from Jacksons and such but I find them really interesting. The rostral process is amazing in my opinion and I love the little sounds they make and their exceptionally long tails. My grandma calls him "nosanek," which frankly means little nose in English, (my grandma doesn't speak English) I do think he makes her more nervous because of his horns. Maybe he does remind her of the devil? :eek: My mom loves my fischer though. If any of my friends come over, my fischer is the first one they go to as he's so friendly and loves to come out so definitely not the devil!

I really do think most people lean towards panthers due to their colors and availability. It's very typical to see veileds in pet stores, a few in my area carry Jacksons and many new buyers have problems with them as I listen to phone conversations with employees. Some carry panthers as well.

In regards to breeding I know why people breed panthers, you can break even much easier especially when your selling each baby for around $250 and have at least 20 from one clutch. I had no intention to breed but of course my fischer changed my mind. My only conclusion is to only incubate as many eggs as I think I can care for (and buy enough food for) to adulthood and assume they won't sell and be happy if they do?

Color is a huge factor...guess I'm just one of those that wants something different. And mitsios are so unique...people are interesting :rolleyes:
 
we have a pair of k multi and I love them! They are very cute and have a lot of personality! (We also have veiled, flapneck and melleri.)

I think people like what is popular, inexpensive and easy to get. I started with veileds but have become more interested in the less common types. I'd love to get some carpets next. On the other hand, I have no interest in panthers at all.
 
I can tell you that most of it comes down to color, and size. But you can't leave out that most fischers' are WC thus "harder to keep". I can tell you I am very excited about the CB Giant Fishers that are coming down the pipe in the next year!!
 
It seems that when most are starting out there is a hype for the color and size. But as the original excitement of it dies down then you get more interested in physical features and more challenging species. Imo I've always wanted fischers and jacksons. Which I very much intend to achieve that goal in the next couple years and hopefully start a breeding project
 
Ace said:
i would go breeding....and keep a few for yourself and sell what you can

but before you do so....SAVE UP!!! lol
Click to expand...

That's what I'm thinking!! Just need to save up...a lot! I need to buy a female first so he stops hitting on me :eek::D lol
 
I would happily have a Fischers, they're gorgeous, but I've never and I mean NEVER seen one in the UK. I'd prefer to stay away from wild caughts too.

Hopefully Fischers will become more common in time with Senegals.
 
Psychodrake said:
I would happily have a Fischers, they're gorgeous, but I've never and I mean NEVER seen one in the UK. I'd prefer to stay away from wild caughts too.

Hopefully Fischers will become more common in time with Senegals.
Click to expand...

Well in the states we're lucky enough to have Seeco as he's pretty much the main breeder (if not only breeder on a larger scale) that breeds these guys. And lucky me because he lives a state away from me! :D
 
Several reasons "most" people opt for veileds or panthers.

There are lots available in many areas.
They are captive bred and often described as healthier than wc.
The husbandry info is more detailed as more people work with them.
Most first timers want something because they see someone's pictures or in person and want one just like it.
Montane species can be trickier in some climates.
They may have first gotten a sick wc, lost it, and won't try one again.
Many fischeri are shy and don't "display" as well in stores where customers buy them.
Panthers and veileds seem bigger.
 
Seeco said:
I do have one contribution that is fact -- when I did a reptile show in Los Angeles (which is a fairly modern and progressive place) many buyers wanted females (which are less colorful) because the HORNS ON THE MALES DISTURBED THEM. I asked one customer why and she said "Like the devil or something."
Click to expand...

That is so weird! If you get right down to horns, wouldn't a jackson's be even more disturbing???

Give me rostrals and horns any day! All my favorite species have them!
 
Carlton said:
That is so weird! If you get right down to horns, wouldn't a jackson's be even more disturbing???

Give me rostrals and horns any day! All my favorite species have them!
Click to expand...

Well I think Jacksons' horns look more dinosaur like, kind of remind me of a Triceratop. Fischers' horns are...well I don't know how to explain them...unique?! Rostrals are amazing!
 
I agree with what others have said more people are drawn to the colors of panthers and the size that veileds get. I loved my fischer leo he was so cool and his temperment was awesome. He was alot like a jacksons but with 2 horns lol but alot of people want the colors or size and unfourtinatly fischers don't have that but they are beautiful and i love their colorings. kinda like peacock chams I love love LOVE their green that radiates off them really bright lime but no one breeds them and the only type pretty much you can get in oregon are wc. imo Fischers are a great starter cham and are easy to raise. soon i'll be getting my fischers from seeco and I can't waite!!!
 
Interesting debate. As Carlton mentions the display characteristics are a big issue. Many people want the maximum effect when visitors come over and it is hard to deny that an adult male panther is pretty ... maximum

This of course means that many owners do not love chameleons -- they love seeming as cool and rad as possible when they post pictures with their animal on facebook or walk down the sidewalk with their panther on their arm...
 
I'm with seeco, they aren't accessories or jewelry lol. They're an extention of your family. I did lol at the walking down the street with your cham on your arm tho:)
 
Seeco said:
Interesting debate. As Carlton mentions the display characteristics are a big issue. Many people want the maximum effect when visitors come over and it is hard to deny that an adult male panther is pretty ... maximum

This of course means that many owners do not love chameleons -- they love seeming as cool and rad as possible when they post pictures with their animal on facebook or walk down the sidewalk with their panther on their arm...
Click to expand...

this does seem to be the case sady enough

i agree, but i would like to give the k.multis a try someday:)
 
Well I questioned my grandma and it's really the color that she loves about the panther, she doesn't like the horns and "lack" of color as she put it of my fischer. Guess it's that wow bright color factor that attracts most people.

I encourage anyone interested in fischers' to get one, my guy (Herbie) is my absolute favorite and my dog is obsessed with him! Herbie has climbed on top of my dogs face, on top of couches, pretty much everywhere possible. With his personality he could be missing some legs and an eye and I'd love him the same exact way :D
 
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