Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What are the top three best sellers? Also is it possible to temp. sex the hatchlings?

Wingert

I don't know about the best sellers, but I have seen alot of Ambilobe's.

Chams sex can't be determined by temperature. I know croc/alligator/turtle eggs can.
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Experience and appreciate nature's creation.

www.zenexotics.com

Sounds like you are trying to decide which locale to produce for sale. I don't think it's very clear. It seems to me the "newest" discovered locales sell more quickly to collectors for higher prices than the more well known ones like Nosey Bes. Too faddish and fickle it seems like. Nosey Bes are beautiful! So are Ambanjas, Diego Suarez, and all the others. But, in terms of finances I don't know which is better: selling fewer high priced rarer locales to a smaller group of collectors versus selling more lower priced common locales to general pet keepers. There are so many variations within each locale and individual. For one thing, cham locale genetic traits are no where near as well understood as say pythons are. Trying to predict what the herp community will pay for seems like trying to herd pigs on ice to me.

Yeah, the market does seem trendy. It seems like any of them would be worth breeding considering the clutch sizes. It also seems like they may be more work than other reptiles but worth it. They seem to sale like Hotcakes and are very interesting. I feel it is worth investigating.

Kevin

I think you will find that no one who breeds chams commercially makes much if any profit. They support their interest from other incomes. I think most breeders started producing so they could expand their own collections. Chams are expensive to set up, expensive to raise, take a lot of daily attention and observation compared to almost any other herp. If $$ is your motivation in getting into chams, I'd seriously rethink it. They take enough individual care to make them a major chore unless you are doing because the chams themselves are your passion. Don't expect a return!

Yes, I agree with Carlton....don't go into it because of the money..it should be your passion like it is to so many people on this forum. Maybe go into Veileds at first to see the devotion you need to raise them properly....then go into something more serious if you like it.
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Experience and appreciate nature's creation.

www.zenexotics.com

I figured someone would get on me about being in it for the money. I love reptiles. If it makes me some money then it's even better. I can not see how there would not be fair return on them. As long as you don't count your time then it should be profitable. They sell like crazy and they produce a good number of hatchlings. Even selling them at 100.00 a piece would more than pay for the investment and most fetch more than 100.00ea
I just can't see where, if done correctly, you would not only profit but do quite well.

Kevin

Carlton is not 'getting on you' about being in it for the money, trust me. Obviously you draw a certain level of satisfaction from raising reptiles or you wouldn't even bother coming to a forum like this.
Humble yourself to take a little good advice. Carlton was simply telling you that even selling potential baby chameleons at $200 a pop, you will realize little, if any profit. There are costs associated with properly raising this little guys to selling size. I'm not gonna get too far into the costs, but please understand that there are issues that come up in raising and breeding of chameleons that are unique to the chameleon community.
Veileds are a lot more forgiving than panthers, which is why many suggest breeding veiled before attempting to breed panthers. Besides, I've recently seen a rise in price in baby veileds. Used to be able to get them for about $35 CBB, but now I'm seeing about $50-$70 minimum (IF available) for them...
>>I figured someone would get on me about being in it for the money. I love reptiles. If it makes me some money then it's even better. I can not see how there would not be fair return on them. As long as you don't count your time then it should be profitable. They sell like crazy and they produce a good number of hatchlings. Even selling them at 100.00 a piece would more than pay for the investment and most fetch more than 100.00ea
>>I just can't see where, if done correctly, you would not only profit but do quite well.
>>
>>Kevin
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Victor Gomez
gomezvi.tripod.com/sdchamkeepers/
gomezvi@yahoo.com

I think it will be worth gtting into even if all it does is support itself wich I feel it can. I am sure I will have more questions so thanks to all that help.

Kevin

Kevin