They have been of great interest to cham keepers for years and people have been willing to pay a lot for them. Their habitat is mostly gone, so they are at risk in the wild (also because of the demand and smuggling) and very hard to get. Madagascar exporting of this and most other cham species was closed for years, as the CITES signatories asked Mada. to demonstrate that the species could tolerate collection for trade before exportation should be continued. Despite this, now there is a small annual quota allowed (please correct me if this is wrong). They are demanding in terms of seasonal cycling, torpor, nutrition, and so large that housing them is a challenge. They just won't do well in the typical cham cage. Setting up breeding pairs and producing young takes a LONG time (rumors that incubation has taken 18 months). Very few breeding successes. Yes, they are beautiful and many are docile (there are exceptions and the exceptions can crush your thumb with a bite), but there are other species almost as large, as docile, and as colorful. I think their body is the largest of any species, but Oustaleti can be longer and the African Melleri is about as big. Their rostrals and casque are more pronounced than panthers'. I met a few in the wild...including a couple of "exceptions". Their feet are HUGE, and can numb your hand when they tighten their grip.

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