help me decide.

[happy]

So I'm going on vacation at the end of June. After i get back from vacation, I'll be looking for a new Cham. I'm really torn between a Jackson's and a panther. I really really enjoy Jackson's, but i really want a panther. In either case, I'll be looking for a male. I've got no max budget. I want to get started on the enclosure soon. What should i do? What would you do?

 

[JlaPinska]

A panther, definitely. If i would of had that k ind of money when i got my first cham it would have been a panther. A nice ambilobe. They are a large species and sooo beautiful! You can find endless pics of set ups on the enclosure & supplies page and i'm sure tons of other people will chime in with some good advice

 

[A1ycia]

I am totally in love with my male jackson.
I was stuck between the two also.... But when I found mine his personality was so great I knew he was the one.

I wish I could be more help! Good luck with your big decision!

 

[Gavinsons]

Get one of each, I started with a Veiled and a month later bought a ambilobe from a local to me member. He is now almost 16 months old and doing great. Now I'm thinking about a girlfriend for him and maybe even one for my veiled. My panther now eats out of my hand but the veiled is a terror and bites the crap out of me. Every time my hand goes in his cage he come attacking me. Apparently he hasn't learned that you never bite the hand that feeds you.

 

[repdog]

Sounds like a Jackson to me. I went with Panther.

 

[Numeralse7en]

Panthers seem to be more friendly with handling- and more colorful, I would suggest one. I love mine, he is 4months. from Chameleon Paradise - Bruce has some excellent breeder chameleons- so you have a nice range of colors to choose from. He will also make sure you know the important details, and have the right supplies before he will ship.

Just my 2cents.

 

[Mom]

I have owned a few jacksons growing up, and now I currently own a panther. From my experience, the jacksons has always been very pleasant. I've only owned males, but they have all been friendly and were easy to handle. The only downfall is they have a shorter lifespan. I wish chameleons lived as long as parrots haha.

For my panther I have, he is four months old and seems to be a bit more finicky. He is calm and sweet, but picky about his food. Lol. He hand feeds with no problem and is very healthy. I went to a local breeder when I got my Panther. The cool thing about these guys are their striking colors. I think the ambilobe (what I have), Ambanja and Nosy Be are most popular, but there are many patterns that have certain colors.

End result, I love both species and would reccomend either one. Each chameleon has their own personality, but I find it easier when you get a younger chameleon (at least three motnhs in age) and work on hand feeding to gain trust.

 

[ChameleonUES]

Go with your gut!

I have had the same problem in deciding which one to get.
Realistically, you will probably end up getting both LOL.

So its more of which one you should get first.
What I can recommend is you check out KAMMERFLAGE chameleons, and wait until you see a specific chameleon you want. (they update and change their inventory regularly).

For Jacksons chameleon, I would wait and get a Mt.Kenya Jackson's, the one with the striped yellow line on its side. They seem to be the only jackson with some color other than green.

Start with a Panther, as they are somewhat hardier, and then if you get a Jackson's it will be a great addition.

Once you have the 2 species (like I do) you will love observing their differences in behavior and display of colors. It is very interesting.

Good luck!

 

[laurie]

I have a friend, here on the forum, who is getting ready to sell her adult male jackson. He is a total sweetheart. If anyone needs info, let me know.

 

[Pharaoh2015]

I want a panther next so that's my vote lol

 

[happy]

There is more to it than just color for me. Ive always wanted a panther since Kammer's was chameleons only. I remember the first time i seen an advertisement on kingsnake.... i was seriously "wtf is this hocus pocus, thats not real", they definately have some very colorful specimens.
But i remember my first chameleon. a Jackson. he scared the crap out of my mom the first day she saw him(i had moved from northern ky back to the oregon coast, i was about 14 or 15). The next day, she started asking questions. "does it bite", "what does it feel like", you know... the questions.... My mom is deathly afraid of any thing reptillian... every year for her birthday, we would get her a huge box filled with kelp.... just to hear her scream... so this was definitely a huge step for her...
then she asked me to hold him. Louie wasnt like other reptiles, he had his own personality, he learned, I dont care what any one says, he knew... he loved being held, he would "run" to you.
if you look closely at a jacksons eye turrets, they have tiny little spikes.... Louie would "wink" his spikes at me. Im sure they do it to every one.... or just... do it... but... I want to beleive it was reserved just for me.
every time i get a chameleon, i always assume, ill get one, it will be like Louie.
It never is. I just want my buddy back.