Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,I live in Cyprus,Europe a small country with small population that always stopped me from ejoying the most of my hobbies(reptiles,planted aquaria etc..)Reptiles have started being popular 2 years ago with the green iguana taken as a trend between young people.Some leopard geckos,cornsnakes followed but again these specimens were illegaly imported from other countries,that's all.
Only the last year the veterinary offices allowd import of reptiles in the country.I was probably the first to aquire a personal licence to import a reptile.It was my first veiled chameleon.I even had people from the veterinary offices to my house to inspect whether I could house the veiled properly prior to giving me the licence.
Anyway,I am now able to get a licence for whatever I want but I'm looking for a dealer.Until now I had access to two german breeders through some friends of mine who own a petstore but if I want something I have to wait until next order when and if happens.I was wondering if their was a case to have access to a breeder and place personal orders.I am mostly interested in several chameleon species.I don't know where to start looking from though any help out there?Should I contact breeders by e-mail and ask them if they could ship single specimens in my country,is that possible if you are willing to pay some more?I could need some help from those who did this before..
Thanks

My uncle's family had several citrus farms on cyprus, before the Turks took control, and they lost it(why they came here).

He told me they used to see chameleons all over the trees and bushes. Said they were plain, and ID'd it as a common chameleon.

Yes,there are chameleons in Cyprus,it's the common chameleon,Chameleo Chameleon and yes there are many,especially in the countryside.In fact I almost run over one with the car 2 months ago,he was crossing the street!!
Sometimes in my spare time I go out in the fields looking for them,I have never found any,you only see them in the most uncommon places,usually crossing streets.I have thought of keeping one many times but I hate puting a wild caught animal in the cage...

Look on the Kingsnake Chameleon Classifieds. There are usually a couple of the breeders advertising on there that will ship internationally or do import / export. Most breeders do not have an import /export license but a few of them do.

And the large majority need an order of at least $3000 US dollars or more to work with you.
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CANADIAN CHAMELEONS

Thanks I'll start looking.

One thing to be careful of. If you get veields, they could probably (I'd bet on it) colonize the place. Theyr'e very tough, and are probably able to adapt to the conditions on southern Europe. I wouldn't put it past them...

As a result, there might be restrictions on importation of them.

I'm not sure I understood your last post,I have no intention releasing veileds to the wild,it would be foolish to do so.All I meant was that I could take wild specimen of chameleo chameleon from the fields and keep it at hope,although I won't do it.
And indeed veileds are illegal to import,I had to take a special permit to get mine,and by the way he's doing fine,thanks

I wasn't suggesting that that was your intention. I was just sugesting that there were probably regulations against keeping them, as they COULD establish themselves if they were to be released (or escaped).

Cyprus seems beautiful. The stories my uncle told me make it sound like it is quite a nice place.

I wouldn't release anything into a non-native habitat. Invasive species can be a problem. However, I would be less hesitant in Florida. It's so badly overrun with invasive species, a few chameleons wouldnt' hurt! If veileds can thrive in Ft. Meyers, I'm sure any of the other species could populate the place as well.

Actually there is not such a case ,I am quite positive I am the only one in Cyprus who owns a veiled.Reptile keeping over here is far from being common.
Cyprus is a nice country,has nice whether,meditteranean climate,beaches etc..,but if you are a dedicated hobbyist of whatever kind you will always run into dead ends at some point or another.Connections with abroad are a must if you want to keep up with it.
Now that I remember I think your the best person to ask this since you know a little bit about Cyprus.I want to have contact with breeders from the US or UK that can ship me reptiles over here.The bad thing is that I'm talking about one specimen at a time,since I am not dealing or anything,just for my self.Is such a thing possible?I am willing to pay the price.
And I can get import licences for anything I like....

I think european breeders are your best hope. What species are you looking for? Start there. Figure out who breeds/ships what you are looking for, and then ask around for reputable dealers somewhere in europe.

and I will try to find it. Not the KS UK forum (it is VERY slow). if anyone remembers Jamie Whitehouse form here a couple years back, he left us for it (he is from UK.)

You could also try Chris Anderson form chamnews. he is in contact with many people globally. Hope you are successful!
ChamNews (Chris)

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