Jacksons

[Tbrock91]

I have a lot of experience with reptiles I have had Veiled Chameleons and they were great! But the reason for me not wanting to breed Veileds is I don't want to have to deal with the eggs and the high maintenance of taking care of reptile eggs. So I had a couple question.

1) Would you suggest Jacksons as my first Chameleon to breed? or am I bitting off more than I can chew?
2) Is there a high market out there for them?
3) What has been the most cost effective but also adequate setups for you as a breeder?

 

[kplatvoet]

Every spring a bunch of surprise clutches are born - Mine was from a surprise clutch and I knew nothing when I got her- from my reading of the posts in the health clinic here it seems like the market floods at the spring & summer reptile shows with month/two months old babies that go for around 25 bucks and end up dying soon after - since I spend more than that a month to feed mine I don't see the economics. I got mine young and used the information I got here to get her to the 9 months old she is now- but I was very lucky. She's was the only survivor from the clutch and I was told the mother died also - Responsible breeders wouldn't sell until they are at least 3 months old as the mortality rate is high before then and if shipping I don't think you would do well until even older-
Chameleon breeding isn't for the faint of heart- the ones who do well are ones who learned from mistakes and have a high attention to detail from what I've seen - I'm not a breeder and new to being a keeper so I don't know much I'm just going from the threads for the time I've been on the site and my own limited experience-

 

[fluxlizard]

I don't want to have to deal with the eggs and the high maintenance of taking care of reptile eggs.

Not sure what high maintenance you imagine eggs need, but lizard eggs are really really low maintenance. Set them up properly, and the only maintenance absolutely required for veiled eggs will be to remove the hatchlings on hatch day...

If you are intimidated by veiled eggs, it's hard to say how your experience will go breeding jacksons. Neither is very hard, but keeping jacksons alive long term (past 12 months or so in a terrarium) is more difficult than keeping veileds around that long. That will play a big role in your reproductive success...

 

[Tbrock91]

To Clarify High Maintenance

The high maintenance that I was referring to was incubating the eggs. I had a Veiled that once had laid non fertile eggs at the time I was volunteering at a local zoo. We had a monitor lizard lay eggs that hatched but the mother hadn't been with a male in 2-3 years. So to be on the safe side I treated the Veiled eggs as if they were fertile, incubated them and gave them the best care that I could. I know what care goes in to taking care of eggs and would prefer live bearing Chameleon.

But thanks for your input fluxlizard

 

[fluxlizard]

But there really isn't any work involved in incubating veiled eggs other than these steps-

put equal weights perlite and water into a food storage container
Put the eggs in the container
Put the lid on the container so it is sealed shut
Put the container in a dark place that stays between 65-83 until the eggs hatch
Remove babies from container

A container sitting sealed in a cabinet under the bathroom sink for several months without touching it.

That's my point- the eggs are super easy. Once set up properly, there is really no maintenance or care, and setup is really simple also. I think easier for a beginner than jacksons.

Baby veileds are also easier than baby jacksons. Until they are a few months old, jacksons are really pretty fragile.

Just my opinion- if your heart is set on jacksons then I say go for it. It is your best choice for a livebearer. Veileds even with eggs are easier though...

 

[CarlC]

Jackson babies are far less forgiving. Baby vields aren't nearly as sensitive to lower humidity, hydration and supplementation.

If I were you I would try raising a single baby jacksons first and getting your feet wet that way. Grow that animal to adult and find a suitable mate.

Carl

 

[Tbrock91]

flux lizard, you have a really good point and the more I think about it the more I think Veiled is the better choice. One point being that seem to be more popular. But I guess my main fear with Veiled eggs is there so tiny and my hands are pretty big also I just get so nervous with reptile eggs because there so fragile. But I haven't had a whole lot of experience with them (but enough to know how to handle them) with time I am sure the nervousness will go away.

But thanks again flux lizard you have been a lot of help!