What kind of cham is this little baby?

[TeamB]

here is a link to the photo of one of the babies in a litter of 6, which we plan on getting one.

what kind is this one?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/3bpics/7263379786/

Also, at what age are you able to bring them home and begin to care for them yourself? I ask because the current caretaker told me 2 weeks, but then on facebook I see a girl who is also getting one that tagged my friend (the one who announced there were babies at the pet store she works at that are available for adoption) in a picture of a glass reptile tank setup and her caption for the photo was "Ready to bring home my new baby on Saturday!" Long story, but the current caretaker certainly doesn't seem to be very knowledgable on chams which is why I'm full of questions for you guys. And if this girl with the glass tank setup is allowed to get one Saturday, I'm hoping we can get our's too because I feel like we've been putting in all this effort the last 3 days in research, etc. and know to do a screened enclosure vs. glass, etc. so for the baby cham's sake, I feel like with the help of you all here on the forums, the little one would be better off in our care than at the pet store for the next week and a half until the litter is 2 weeks old.


We just want the best for our new family member and I understand a certain amount of time is needed with the breeder before getting one, but in this situation there was no breeder (read my previous post "Newbies adopting first chameleon, please help!" under general discussion for what's going on.
It seems like we know more than they do about them even though we don't know much and the baby might have better care with us, which is the only reason I'd even consider taking it so early! I hope that makes sense.

 

[Killer Chams]

its a jackson chameleon.

 

[AllFallDown]

here is a link to the photo of one of the babies in a litter of 6, which we plan on getting one.

what kind is this one?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/3bpics/7263379786/

Also, at what age are you able to bring them home and begin to care for them yourself? I ask because the current caretaker told me 2 weeks, but then on facebook I see a girl who is also getting one that tagged my friend (the one who announced there were babies at the pet store she works at that are available for adoption) in a picture of a glass reptile tank setup and her caption for the photo was "Ready to bring home my new baby on Saturday!" Long story, but the current caretaker certainly doesn't seem to be very knowledgable on chams which is why I'm full of questions for you guys. And if this girl with the glass tank setup is allowed to get one Saturday, I'm hoping we can get our's too because I feel like we've been putting in all this effort the last 3 days in research, etc. and know to do a screened enclosure vs. glass, etc. so for the baby cham's sake, I feel like with the help of you all here on the forums, the little one would be better off in our care than at the pet store for the next week and a half until the litter is 2 weeks old.


We just want the best for our new family member and I understand a certain amount of time is needed with the breeder before getting one, but in this situation there was no breeder (read my previous post "Newbies adopting first chameleon, please help!" under general discussion for what's going on.
It seems like we know more than they do about them even though we don't know much and the baby might have better care with us, which is the only reason I'd even consider taking it so early! I hope that makes sense.

My experience with chams is only about 2-3 months now so please seek alternate opinions. 2 weeks seems dangerously early- particularly given that the current caretaker does not seem knowledgable. My personal opinion based on housing several reptile species over the years- 3 days worth of research is a good start, and might be sufficient to give you enough knowledge to get a good set up going for a healthy stabile adult. But we are talking about a clutch here that is very very young. They are very vulnerable right now, and have very specific needs that someone with a lot of experience would need to meet.

There may be a species of chameleons which is safe to move at 2 weeks, I personally have not heard of one thusfar. With a veiled or a Jackson's- I would be very very concerned. I question the level of both knowledge and responsibility of this breeder/caretaker. Sounds like people might not know what they are doing here.

Just my $0.02

Again,
Please consider alternate view. I probably should not have said anything but felt kind of compelled.

 

[AllFallDown]

Oh woops....
I just read the second part (about where these guys came from). Ok, in that case- I personally would:

1) Consider taking as many as I could to get them to a stable environment, if I felt they were not being properly cared for. Just because they do not normally carry chams does not necessarily mean they could not care for them with their currently level of herp knowledge given a good reference. (The fact that they are willing to sell them off at 2 weeks old does suggest otherwise...)
2) Find every dang hobbyist in the county and pick their frikken brains (Try to get other cham people to take some of them). Post a craigslist ad or something.

I think given the circumstances- assuming the people at the store do not know what they are doing, I would consider taking them but I would tread very lightly here. See if you can get a big discount on them given that they are babies, very vulerable, and they did not even order them in the first place!

Thats what I personally would do.

That and find a really good vet

 

[TeamB]

They are up for adoption for free. But obviously its kind of like getting a "free" puppy... you've got all the other stuff for it to buy lol!

I'm hoping to find someone in the Houston, TX area that is knowledgable to take care of them if the store manager (who is an old co-worker & friend of mine and my husband's) to allow it...if not hopefully for us to choose one and get someone who is experienced to foster it for us until it is ready to be in our care.

 

[TeamB]

also, can anyone tell what kind of Jackson these are from this picture?

 

[DanSB]

I can't verify if it is a Jackson or not (it looks like one though) but I think you should be fine to take possession at 2 weeks. These aren't puppies that need to be weaned. In the wild they would be hiding from their parents and moving along so they don't get eaten.

The reason most people wait is that they are very sensitive at this age to abrupt changes and have a hard time surviving transportation. If you have a good baby set up and are ready to provide little stress and the appropriate temperature, humidity, and food go for it.

There are lots of people who breed Jackson's on here so getting good care tips for the babies shouldn't be difficult.