Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I would like some help please from all the panther people.

I am new to panthers, but I have had Jacksons for years now. There is a local breeder that will sell me a baby. They are about 3-4 months old he says.

He has no idea who the parents are because he took over the Chams after his son moved and apperently these eggs were forgotten about until they hatched.

So my question is, how to choose a baby when you have idea what the parents look like?
Would you pick the biggest, the smallest, the brightest or lightest?

I have seen the babies are they are the cutest things I have ever seen!
They are peach/pink and the white barring is actually a milky white to yellow color? Also is the a way to tell the sex that young?

Thanks for any ideas/suggestions you may all have,
sdaly
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"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today."

If the color was going to be "pot luck" I think I'd pick the baby who is calmest and more tolerant around me. More likely to be a "pet" personality. A big one just might be a bossy or aggressive one (hogging the food or intimidating the other clutchmates), and a small one might have runt tendencies. Determining sex is tricky at that age...someone else can probably tell you more.

baby chameleons dont start to show adult color at the age of 3-4 months.....some might have more colors then others. but there colors might not get much vibrant..one chameleon i worked with had almost a black and grey pattern when young, but then at about 8 months of age hey had oranges and reds, typical of a sambava....

As for sexing, the chameleons are too young to be sexed...a EXPERT might know how to, but i am no expert...ask others here....Eric Adrigola (sp) mithg know...

What other herps have you kept in the past? Chameleons are no hamster.....do research!!!!!
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Eric

I fight for the unconventional
My right, and its unconditional
I can only, be as real as i can
The disadvantage is
I never knew the plan
This isnt the way just to be a martyr
I cant, walk alone any longer
I fight, for the ones that cant fight
And if I lose, at least I tried....
(Slipknotulse of the Maggots)

I have had Jackson Chams, 1 veiled for a short while, bearded dragons, hognose snakes, and leo geckos.

I am not new to reptiles, just panthers.
Thanks for the help, I have done research, plus I work in a vet hosp that sees exotics regularly, so I am familiar for the most part. Just not the "how to choose part".

Thanks again,
sdaly
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"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today."

When they are 3 to 4 months they should have had or will soon have a growth spurt. The males will usually be grayish in overall color and the females tan. The picture I included is a 3 month old male Sambava. You can tell that he is a male by the start of the rostrum (nose appendage) and a small package is also beginning to form, also his overall "rough" appearance (females will appear more delicate). It is impossible to tell what locale a female Panther belongs to, even when they are adults. Its really too tough to determine a locale at this age. When they are older, Ambanjas and Ambilobes have the largest rostrums. Nosy Bes have a smaller lower casque that makes their head shape different from most other Panthers except Ankaramy. A yellowish lateral line might mean Ambilobe or Ambanja. A reddish overall color would probably be Tamatave or Ambilobe. Blue color on the sides and it is probably Ambanja. The only sure way is to wait for the males to get older and see what sort of colors they display. Right now I would try to pick a healthy one. Put it down on the carpet and watch it walk. It should move like a sea turtle if the back end waddles back and forth it might have the start of MBD. Choose one with a good grip and look inside its mouth it should be yellowish/gray without any sticky slobber. Make sure the eyes are bugging out and not sunken.

Thank you VERY much for all your advise and tips!

I will have to post pics when I get him/her. Hopefully it will be a him.

sdaly
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"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today."