Look what just arrived in the US!

[jajeanpierre]

I stopped in to Reptile Pets Direct to pick up a few supplies and the owner took me to the back to see these beauties.

They're wild caught and have been in the US only a week and are all hand feeding. What amazing creatures! Craig, the owner of the shop and the importer was like a little kid, so excited to show me how they hand fed. The big guy pictured eating the roach that he had been hand fed was the size of a small cat. He was absolutely huge, just massive. They are incredible animals. Look at the blue color of the smaller of the two, the one on Craig's arm. I was really really really tempted, and you know what, I just happen to have a six foot tall, six foot wide stainless steel parrot cage I am not using.....

 

[guanagator]

Dinosaurs! So cool, I would have been tempted too.

 

[Lazereth]

Jelly

 

[BayChams]

Wow!

 

[BayChams]

I so want one right now...

 

[BayChams]

Did he mention where they came from?

 

[OldChamKeeper]

Weight?

 

[jajeanpierre]

Weight?

Ralph, I didn't ask weights--we were just enjoying their magnificence and that they would all hand feed, even with me and my phone in their faces trying to get a picture of it.

The big guy eating the cock roach was really huge, larger than the male pictured on Craig's arm. He was not a young animal. The females I saw tucked in the foliage were not as big but a good size. They really looked in great condition. They only arrived a week ago.

 

[guanagator]

Just from the size of the roach in his mouth that looks like a huge chameleon, thanks again for sharing Janet. By the way if you look close in the pics I added yesterday the little female Gracilior is beginning to show off her red nails.

 

[jajeanpierre]

Did he mention where they came from?

Wild caught from Madagascar.

 

[carol5208]

They are so cool, but I just hate seeing them taken out of their natural environment and put in cages.

 

[Kmira]

What type of chameleon is that would that be a meller

 

[Kboz1991]

Parsons chameleon

 

[KLowery88]

I always look at Parson's and wonder what kind of damage those feet could do. I have enough of a time with my Veiled guy, and Parson's are so much larger! Such a beautiful species though. I love their dinosaur heads and wrinkly skin.

 

[Carlton]

I always look at Parson's and wonder what kind of damage those feet could do. I have enough of a time with my Veiled guy, and Parson's are so much larger! Such a beautiful species though. I love their dinosaur heads and wrinkly skin.

Well, having had the privilege of holding several Parson's in the wild, I can say that their feet are very powerful...if they grip your fingers for a while you will get a little numb and their claws left scratches and marks on a bare arm. Most regarded us with a sort of aloof patience, as if reacting was beneath their dignity. Some of the females however were nasty. Maybe the males just know they are the top of the heap so don't bother to resist.

 

[OldChamKeeper]

I always look at Parson's and wonder what kind of damage those feet could do. I have enough of a time with my Veiled guy, and Parson's are so much larger! Such a beautiful species though. I love their dinosaur heads and wrinkly skin.

Mine made me bleed a little a few days ago, and he's only less than half grown.

 

[leedragon]

could be wrong but the bar of bird cages aren´t bad for their feet? or do I got that one wrong?

 

[Carlton]

could be wrong but the bar of bird cages aren´t bad for their feet? or do I got that one wrong?

Given the size of a Parson's feet a metal barred bird cage should work as long as the metal does not have sharp edges or very rough welds (such as construction-grade galvanized mesh can have). The metal bars of most bird cages tend to be ground smooth, powder coated, or chrome. The spacing of the bars should be large enough so they don't get their toes caught between them. This particular cage looks OK to me.

 

[KLowery88]

Well, having had the privilege of holding several Parson's in the wild, I can say that their feet are very powerful...if they grip your fingers for a while you will get a little numb and their claws left scratches and marks on a bare arm. Most regarded us with a sort of aloof patience, as if reacting was beneath their dignity. Some of the females however were nasty. Maybe the males just know they are the top of the heap so don't bother to resist.

They do seem to have a rather proud, aloof expression to them. I bet it was wonderful seeing them in the wild.

Mine made me bleed a little a few days ago, and he's only less than half grown.

Ouch! I guess I can't quite blame them for wanting to cling tight to the squishy, moving tree though.