Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello
A friend of mine who lives in Hawaii was telling me that the ones found in the Rain forset outskirts there are the biggest most colrful in the world .

I find it interesting that they seem to do better there than where they originate from .
However he was just judging by a few he has seen . Anyone know if this is true ?

You said..."A friend of mine who lives in Hawaii was telling me that the ones found in the Rain forset outskirts there are the biggest most colrful in the world"...they are definitely beautiful and healthy looking there and have been reported to be the biggest in Hawaii.
http://www.adcham.com/html/ecology/hawaii-ko.html

Here are some pictures of the Hawaiian ones that visit Mary's yard...
http://www.lovein.com/Sonny.htm
http://www.lovein.com/SpunkBob.htm
http://www.lovein.com/wildchams.htm

You said..."I find it interesting that they seem to do better there than where they originate from. However he was just judging by a few he has seen. Anyone know if this is true?"...the predators, the insects and availability of the insects,the parasites and the climate will all be different to some degree in Africa and Hawaii...which could have an affect on their overall status. They have definitely multiplied well since their introduction to Hawaii.

You might be interested in these articles too...
http://www.chameleonnews.com/spunkbob.html
http://hawaiiislandjournal.com/2003/6a03a.html
http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/bot350/1996/Reyes/reyes.htm

Great links great pics . If it wasnt for my wife and work I would have left for Hawaii right now lol.

We plan to go in a few months and want to see the wild Jacksons (well I do). I recall when Hawaii wanted to eradicate Chamaleons I am glad they didnt .

My friend has a few in his area but just like the links you posted say you dont see them daily or regurlarly .

Thanks

Another aspect to consider is the fact that the chams are an invasive species and have few direct competitors. Like many things introduced to a new habitat, they are creating and filling a new niche, and taking advantage of it. Often, expanding and invading species end up being larger than the host animals. Given a lot of time they may dwindle if they end up competing or become a new food for some native predator. Also, genetics may have a lot to do with it, as the entire population was founded on a very few animals who may have been selected for size and color.

One other opinion I have about the Hawaiian jax. This is controversial and has been hashed on other cham forums, but is worth thinking about. I like jax a lot, and all chams in general, but I don't think introducing exotic species to new habitats is ever a good idea. When the species evolves in place along with the system that's fine. Part of any species' beauty is the fact that it is an expression of successful evolution and "design". Hawaii's native wildlife is being bombarded with exotic threats...from diseases like malaria to parasites, predators, competitors, and things that simply destroy the habitats directly like pigs and goats. Avian malaria has decimated the islands' native birds, and malaria was introduced by exotic mosquitos and spread from those mosquitos' breeding and blood meals on the exotic critters they bit. Many of the islands' endangered species are insects, and to introduce a predator that uses an entirely unique hunting technique does have an impact. Many of the native insects are also the only pollinators of some of the islands' most amazing endemic plants...which are now also endangered once their pollinators disappear. If someone wants to keep jax confined to a particular area or cages I don't have a problem with it, but to simply release a species without considering the impact is irresponsible and cruel to both the creature released as well as the native wildlife.