Jackson temptation!

[lysinlight87]

Went to my local reptile centre for feeders, it's the same place where I bought my veiled, & I don't usually go in there cos I keep coming out with additional mouths to feed...
They had some beautiful jacksons, kept in what looked like good conditions, & the temptation kicked in! however, I didn't have £190 ($300) plus the same again for the set-up in my pocket!! Are they rare or difficult to breed? Just wondering why they cost 3 times more than my veiled?
They also had a lovely fishers, for a more reasonable price. perhaps a potential birthday present to myself lol

 

[Swayne8998]

Wow seems like they are Mt. Kenya's! Those are the straight jacksonii's, I don't know about the price difference but over here that would sound like a jacksonii.

Jackson's tend to be harder to take care of than veileds or panthers. They require high humidity and lower temps, and I'm not sure about breeding.

 

[lysinlight87]

Ah cool, maybe that's why.
I have a hard time maintaining my veiled's humidity at 50, so I can imagine a jacksons might be more of a challenge. Don't they have different supplement requirements too? It did say the latin name on cage, but I can't remember it. If they require lower temps that might explain why there didn't appear to be a heat bulb for them?

 

[Miss Lily]

There are 3 Jackson species - J. Jacksonii (the largest), J. Xantholophus (like my Monty) and J. Merumontanus - the smallest of the 3. They are not so common over here - which would contribute to the higher price tag! You are right though - they need to be kept cooler and more humid. They can also be tricky to raise, which also increases the price tag - sometimes they can just drop dead for no apparent reason at around the 4 month mark.

 

[lysinlight87]

I'll have to see what species they are next time I drop in (good job I don't have a credit card, else I'd already be researching their care lol) They only seem to sell adult or sub-adult. If the youngsters have a habit of dropping dead, I guess that's a sensible precaution for any breeder, & also something that comes with losses for the breeder.