Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I went to a pet shop yesterday that I have never been and they had a pair of jacksons.Male and female. The male was considerably smaller and hs eyes were closed. The female has been in an enclosure with a male most of her life. She was very plump.Probably gravid. The person working there had chams of her own and was misting them.The female was eating and drinking daily. The employee said if I bought the female I could have the sick little guy for free. Is it worth it? I am reluctant to buy from a pet shop but my heart went ou t to this guy. I already have a jackson and many feeders. If i buy the female how long do I quarentine her before I put her in my cham rooom? and my cham is in the basement and it is a large room can I put her on the opposite side or in an entirely different section of the house? Thanks sorry so long. Matt

Hey Matt,

you've been here long enough to know the general feeling about buying from a store that does not care for their animals (by purchasing you are condoning their negligence). My question is why didn't the worker take some sort of action? I wonder what condition her own chams are in if she can allow this to happen. I know workers have just so much control, but that is what herp societies and animal welfare orgs are for - she could have contacted them anonymously so as not to jeopardize her job.

That said - do you really want the care of a gravid female that may be eggbound or have other problems due to her poor care? You will likely be taking on some pretty hefty vet bills and 2 animals that may well die. Parasites? MBD? Dehydration? over/under supplementation? Believe me, I REALLY understand your wanting to take these two home. I have been known to rescue anoles and geckos, bring them to good health and ship them to my mom in FL so she can release them. But you really need to think this through. If she is willing to give them both to you for free and/or split any vet bills with you then MAYBE you should consider it. Well this is just my opinion and I am sure you will get others. It is hard to just walk away bit sometimes it is necessary.

I don't go to pet stores I have never been (and some that I have been to!) for this very reason...

lele
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Chameleon Help & Resource Info

0.1 Veiled Chameleon - Luna. She's now hanging from her big jungle gym in the sky
1.0 Beardie - Darwin
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Lita
0.1 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.1 Mad. Hissers and she is on the loose!
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula - Rosa Leigh
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha
?.? Pinktoe Tarantula - no name yet

Thanks for the reply.I had the same thoughts a lele did. As I was walking out of the place I knew hte answers. I just sometimes looking for someone to co sign my BS or justify my actions or near actions. thanks Matt

I'll Agree with Lele in a less extensive reply. I'll be honest that I have a sour taste from the last WC - store bought Chameleon I rescued. Infact its still in my Freezer in that same from in-pain pose.

Don't buy it. Take action in otherways;

Inform the worker of proper care. Speak with the manager. Call and alert someone.
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CANADIAN CHAMELEONS

I think the deciding thing for me would be if they offered the male WITHOUT having to buy the female. He's going to die there and will be a small loss to the store. If they were really concerned about him they would have given him to a caring keeper when they realized he was in trouble. To me that would have made the shop worth working with (and helping them with their possibly gravid female when it's needed). I took a sick female jax from a shop with the understanding that if she recovered I would return her for sale (along with super detailed care info from me). But, this was an excellent caring shop who would never knowingly mistreat an animal. After several months she did recover so I brought her back twice the size, beautiful and healthy. They gave her to me instead and just ate the loss.

You will be taking on a lot if you take/buy these chameleons...but if you don't mind the work and very probable vet bills and very probable loss of one or both of them...well...the choice is yours.

Females that come in gravid (pregnant) often produce still-born babies or slugs...and even if the babies are born alive they will often perish. (Jacksons are live-bearers, as you likely know already.)

I always quarantine my new chameleons for a minimum of 6 weeks...but much longer if they are WC's....like several months. I wouldn't quarantine them in the same room with your present chameleons. Having been in a pet shop, they could carry viruses, etc. that could spread to your collection...so not only is it important to quarantine them in another area of the house, its important that you be very hygenic as well, IMHO. I would look after my own chameleons first and then look after these ones being sure not to go back to your own chameleons after....just my own opinion from my own experience.