Why are panthers so expensive?

J

jodeoh60

Member
Hello, I'm a Jackson lover, but have raised panthers. I miss the fluorescent colors of the adult panther males and have seen a few in person that would put any parrot or peacock to shame. It cost me in the past $300 in supplies and food to raise a litter of Jacksons before they were sent at four months to a local exotic-capable petstore, who gave me $300 for the dozen, so we broke even (except for the traffic violation on the way down to the store.....). I could have done it for a fraction of that price if I had been prepared and gotten fruit fly cultures made at home, instead of buying pinheads, etc.

My question is then, why are PANTHERS so god-awful expensive? Somebody must be buying them or they wouldn't be offered up for as much as $500 apiece. Now I can see a Parsons, with that 24 month egg incubation being rare and expensive, but panthers? And what do you do when your $500 lizard gets sick???!!!
 
jodeoh60 said:
Hello, I'm a Jackson lover, but have raised panthers. I miss the fluorescent colors of the adult panther males and have seen a few in person that would put any parrot or peacock to shame. It cost me in the past $300 in supplies and food to raise a litter of Jacksons before they were sent at four months to a local exotic-capable petstore, who gave me $300 for the dozen, so we broke even (except for the traffic violation on the way down to the store.....). I could have done it for a fraction of that price if I had been prepared and gotten fruit fly cultures made at home, instead of buying pinheads, etc.

My question is then, why are PANTHERS so god-awful expensive? Somebody must be buying them or they wouldn't be offered up for as much as $500 apiece. Now I can see a Parsons, with that 24 month egg incubation being rare and expensive, but panthers? And what do you do when your $500 lizard gets sick???!!!
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lol you take your $500 lizard to the vet. As for the price it all depend on the locality, weather its wild caught or captive bred, specific bloodlines, and public demand.
 
Im a guess its the demand thing. Yesterday I bought a pair of Nike Air Jordans ($160 + Tax). They sold out everywhere and being offered on ebay for $300. So as long as people are willing to pay $300+ for a panther, they will go for that much. I wanted a faly, but instead i got a Ambi... I will only buy what I can afford. The end.
 
jodeoh60 said:
have seen a few in person that would put any parrot or peacock to shame.And what do you do when your $500 lizard gets sick???!!!
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Im guessing thats why they are so much. The value is all in how much people are willing to pay. They are obviously buying them at that price or people wouldn't have them. And when it gets sick you take it to the vet lol. If you cant afford the vet you shouldnt have a $500 lizard IMO. Also it has to do with bloodlines, how much would you expect to pay for a purebred dog? Well thats what i think at least
 
You take that lizard to the vet when it gets sick, just like you would a $60 lizard. ;) If you can afford to spend that much on an animal you better have the funds to support it too. Of course I think that about "cheap" animals also. Don't buy the pet if you can't afford the vet!

Panthers are expensive because people are willing to pay it. They are popular for their colors and if that's what people want (which they do) then that's what they can charge. What other reptile can show the spectrum of colors that panthers show?
 
I was at a reptile show and there were two booths with sky-blue morphs of a green tree snake who wanted $15,000 apiece. They were trying to decide how to get their two very valuable blue snakes together to mate, as no one wanted to part with their own mutant. Anyway, when I asked what to do with a sick $15,000 snake, the man answered "Hop on a plane and go to the internation centers in London!"
 
Flapenn said:
Im guessing thats why they are so much. The value is all in how much people are willing to pay. They are obviously buying them at that price or people wouldn't have them. And when it gets sick you take it to the vet lol. If you cant afford the vet you shouldnt have a $500 lizard IMO. Also it has to do with bloodlines, how much would you expect to pay for a purebred dog? Well thats what i think at least
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Cripes---- my dog, my bike and my first car didn't cost that much!!!
 
ferretinmyshoes said:
You take that lizard to the vet when it gets sick, just like you would a $60 lizard. ;) If you can afford to spend that much on an animal you better have the funds to support it too. Of course I think that about "cheap" animals also. Don't buy the pet if you can't afford the vet!

Panthers are expensive because people are willing to pay it. They are popular for their colors and if that's what people want (which they do) then that's what they can charge. What other reptile can show the spectrum of colors that panthers show?
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Oh and vets----unfortunately they don't charge by the ounce but by the visit, and since cats and dogs are by far more popular then most vets have little herp experience. My $15 lizard once cost me $120 at the vet, and then it died anyway (my wife was pregnant and a little insane with worry so she forced me to go to the vet). Is there a cost-benefit ratio with lizard value vs vet costs to help decide if you make an appointment or not?
 
Usually by the time an exotic pet like a reptile actually makes it to the vet it's so sick that it's nearly beyond help anyway. People watch them get sick (if they even notice), wait to see if they get better, wait a little longer and then finally bring it in when it's on death's door. And then they blame the vet for killing it or call them useless for not being able to save it. There is a lot to be said for providing proper care so they don't get sick in the first place, and if they do seeking vet advice in a timely manner. You may have to call around to find someone who has reptile experience because you're right, not many do, but that should be a small inconvenience compared to the life an animal in your care. If you pay so much for a reptile then maybe that helps you justify spending money to return it to health when it gets sick. I don't think purchase cost should make a difference personally. My cheap little jackson gets vet care same as my several hundred dollar panther does when needed. It's up to you how much you are invested in your animals.
 
Personally I wanted a panther because I enjoy looking at the color changes through out its life. Here in the Chicago area they have been hard to come by, so it took me a while to locate what I was looking for. When I found one at a local reptile show they guy wanted $450. Well that is more than I was willing to spend so I opted out and walked away and started talking with feeder suppliers. Meanwhile Jenna continued to talk with that breeder and was able to knock the price down $150. Supply and Demand is what its all about. Some people will toss a huge price tag on these reptiles, but you don't have to pay what they are asking. I just happened to have a girlfriend that can work a deal.
 
ferretinmyshoes said:
Usually by the time an exotic pet like a reptile actually makes it to the vet it's so sick that it's nearly beyond help anyway. People watch them get sick (if they even notice), wait to see if they get better, wait a little longer and then finally bring it in when it's on death's door. And then they blame the vet for killing it or call them useless for not being able to save it. There is a lot to be said for providing proper care so they don't get sick in the first place, and if they do seeking vet advice in a timely manner. You may have to call around to find someone who has reptile experience because you're right, not many do, but that should be a small inconvenience compared to the life an animal in your care. If you pay so much for a reptile then maybe that helps you justify spending money to return it to health when it gets sick. I don't think purchase cost should make a difference personally. My cheap little jackson gets vet care same as my several hundred dollar panther does when needed. It's up to you how much you are invested in your animals.
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Your comment was like a kick in the stomach to me. I take mine to the vets at the very first sign of anything being wrong. Take Amy, for instance. I noticed she was holding her head up on the Monday, took her to the vets the very next day (he wasn't there on the Monday) and she was diagnosed with Pneumonia for which she was treated and made what I thought was a good recovery. Sadly, I think the infection spread throughout her body and it killed her a month later. We don't all act like your comment. I love my chameleons so much and it really hurts to lose them. If love alone could keep them alive, then mine would live forever. It cost me a call out fee the night I rushed her to the vets, that was £39 GBP just for the nurse and intensive care.

I would do anything and pay whatever was necessary to make my babies better (or at least give it a damn good try). To me, my chameleons aren't 'just a lizard'. I love them like family, and they get treated as such.
 
Oh miss lily, it makes me sad to think that you thought I was referring to you or most of any of the other forum members here! I apologize if I offended you. This forum touts extremely responsible caring owners, which is why I love to be a part of this community. However, this is an extreme rarity in the reptile world. Almost entirely unique in that sense. The unfortunate reality is that the overwhelming majority of reptile patients seen by vets fall under the category I described. To see someone bring in a reptile and actually agree to do any diagnostics makes me want to give them a giant hug. You would be so sad to see how many reptiles are brought in under absolutely terrible conditions causing illness that is very preventable (keeping a russian tortoise in a 10gal tank with 2 inches of water and no land for example) and the owners want to throw an antibiotic at them without putting any effort into correcting husbandry and not even knowing what's wrong since they don't want to pay for the tests. Half the time they don't even know what species they have. I've spent so, so many hours educating people on their reptile needs only to have them take them home knowing they aren't actually going to change anything. That russian tortoise owner did not want to change their husbandry at all. Many have actually told me they'll just wait until it dies and then start over with another one. Or that they won't spend anything on it because they got it so cheap. This also happens with birds and small mammals, heck even with dogs and cats more than you'd think! But reptiles seem to be the worst.

You miss lily are the client that I and other vets dream of!! Unfortunately you are a rare breed...
 
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ferretinmyshoes said:
Oh miss lily, it makes me sad to think that you thought I was referring to you or most of any of the other forum members here! I apologize if I offended you. This forum touts extremely responsible caring owners, which is why I love to be a part of this community. However, this is an extreme rarity in the reptile world. Almost entirely unique in that sense. The unfortunate reality is that the overwhelming majority of reptile patients seen by vets fall under the category I described. To see someone bring in a reptile and actually agree to do any diagnostics makes me want to give them a giant hug. You would be so sad to see how many reptiles are brought in under absolutely terrible conditions causing illness that is very preventable (keeping a russian tortoise in a 10gal tank with 2 inches of water and no land for example) and the owners want to throw an antibiotic at them without putting any effort into correcting husbandry and not even knowing what's wrong since they don't want to pay for the tests. Half the time they don't even know what species they have. I've spent so, so many hours educating people on their reptile needs only to have them take them home knowing they aren't actually going to change anything. That russian tortoise owner did not want to change their husbandry at all. Many have actually told me they'll just wait until it dies and then start over with another one. Or that they won't spend anything on it because they got it so cheap. This also happens with birds and small mammals, heck even with dogs and cats more than you'd think! But reptiles seem to be the worst.

You miss lily are the client that I and other vets dream of!! Unfortunately you are a rare breed...
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It did offend, yes. I forgot that you were taking from a vet's point of view. Yet again, where chameleons are concerned I think with my heart first then my head.:eek: What gets me most is that I tried so hard to get help for my chameleons and yet I still lost them. It is gut wrenching - that feeling when you know deep down there is nothing that can be done. The awful feeling of helplessness and sadness. I look into things before I go to my vet and pretty much tell him what I think could be wrong (probably the type of client that you dislike!). Even though he is a reptile vet, there aren't many people with chameleons on the Island and I want to give my chameleons the best chance of recovery, so I go in prepared.

The other thing that really gets me is the fact that people don't do research and we on here are left to try and pick up the pieces, when simple research before getting the chameleon could save the chameleon a lot of pain and distress and the owner a lot of upset. These things just hit a nerve with me, and sometimes I jump in way too fast without thinking. I have such a passion for these creatures. I would have hundreds of them if I had the space.
 
I'd have a whole house just for them too!! And the fact that some people don't care or know anything but their poor little creature just soldiers on and then there's people like you who care for them like children that lose them is one of the worst things ever to see. You went above and beyond for your kiddos and I respect you so much for that!
 
I, for one, am willing to answer questions off the forums in IM from people who are trying to sell to people offering to buy their clutches. Generally speaking, if a store is going to sell the animal for $50 they are only going to give you $25. They don't really care how much it cost you to raise that baby.

If you think you are going to make big bucks selling chameleons, think again. I think anyone who sells chams as a hobby can give you the same answer. It is a lot of work and a lot of love goes into the task. You have to really give them a lot of attention

You did well at $300 for 12, especially selling to a store that knows how to take care of chams.



jodeoh60 said:
Hello, I'm a Jackson lover, but have raised panthers. I miss the fluorescent colors of the adult panther males and have seen a few in person that would put any parrot or peacock to shame. It cost me in the past $300 in supplies and food to raise a litter of Jacksons before they were sent at four months to a local exotic-capable petstore, who gave me $300 for the dozen, so we broke even (except for the traffic violation on the way down to the store.....). I could have done it for a fraction of that price if I had been prepared and gotten fruit fly cultures made at home, instead of buying pinheads, etc.

My question is then, why are PANTHERS so god-awful expensive? Somebody must be buying them or they wouldn't be offered up for as much as $500 apiece. Now I can see a Parsons, with that 24 month egg incubation being rare and expensive, but panthers? And what do you do when your $500 lizard gets sick???!!!
Click to expand...
 
My vet has a paper that they make you check and sign before they accept any animal as a patient. It has three options, which if abbreviated say something like:
- My pet is a member of the family, do anything possible.
- My pet is important but do not suggest extravagant or expensive options.
- My pet is not very important, I will not put a lot of money into saving them.

I always check off the first option, because if my pets need it I will spend it - at least as much as I can afford. Luckily I have a father that is always willing to pitch in if I need emergency pet money beyond what I have, like my puppy that recently cost several thousand dollars to save from a sock intestinal impaction. But not everyone cares as much about their animals to put in the effort or money.

But back to the topic at hand, it's all supply and demand.
Someone recently tried to insult my panthers and call them "bargain crosses," (as if this is hurtful) but you know what? I think they've been my smartest purchases as far as Panthers are concerned. I spent $100-150 on two panthers that I think are GORGEOUS according to my preferences, if I breed I'm never making a profit so why care if crosses sell for less anyway, and you can think of it as me now having that extra money to put into their care. So I got two chameleons for the price of what people pay for one. People have different priorities with money, which is good and fair, but I think I got lucky getting EXACTLY what I wanted in panthers for half the price. To me, this is perfect.

I'm not saying that I couldn't afford more expensive panthers, because I certainly could if I wanted to (and I have in the past, I've definitely been there and spent $300 on a single panther), but I don't see the point. Not when I can get exactly what I want for less. I did, however, invest a good little chunk of money to get one of the import B. trans, so it depends on what you're willing to spend to get what you want lol.
 
Back to the original question

A good friend of mine gave me this answer when I made the same question (not talking about chameleons of course) "Nothing is too expensive, you just can't afford it."
 
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