Possibly the rarest chameleons in captive care
The world of chameleon enthusiasts is filled with unique and fascinating species, but few are as rare and captivating as the Green Giant Parson’s Chameleon. This exceptional locality of the Parson’s Chameleon (Calumma parsonii parsonii) stands out not only for its size and vibrant coloration but also for its scarcity in captivity.
With only two known pairs of Green Giant Parson’s Chameleons in captivity worldwide, these chameleons are truly a treasure among reptile collectors and conservationists alike. One of these pairs is here at Nealon Reptiles, a facility dedicated to breeding and preserving some of the rarest chameleon species.
We obtained our pair of Green Giants from Jay DuBay at One World Exotica. We’ve been working with Jay for years and consider him one of the best importers you can work with. He told us that obtaining these Green Giants was no small feat. After paying for a team to spend 6 months looking for them in the rainforest of Masoala, 2 pairs were found. To our knowledge, these two pairs are the only ones ever exported from Madagascar.
What does a Green Giant Parson’s look like?
Like all Parson’s Chameleons, the Green Giant locale can be huge! Males often weigh more than 500 grams, with some reaching over 700 grams. Our Green Giant male is almost as long as one of our arms. In other words, these Giants are just that – Giant!
Based on reported observations in the wild, their coloration is pretty consistent. Both sexes are green. Our male will often change color slightly to a more blue-ish green, while our female stays green almost all the time.
Where are Green Giants found?
The biggest reason why Green Giant Parson’s are so incredibly rare in captivity is that they’re found in one of the more remote areas of Madagascar.
The majority of Green Giants have been found in Masoala. The Masoala Peninsula, on the northeast side of Madagascar, is largely unaccessible. While we’ve never been there, we’ve read reports about the extreme challenge of reaching this area.
What are our Plans for our Green Giants?
Our plans are exactly what you’d think—we will try to get them to breed. If we can do this, it will be a wonderful achievement for us here at Nealon Reptiles and the Reptile community as a whole.
Of course, nothing is guaranteed. Parson’s, especially wild-caught individuals, are known for being more difficult to breed than Captive-Bred individuals. However, we will seek advice from people with more experience than we do to work towards the World’s first Captive-Bred Green Giant Parson’s Chameleons.
The future of the Green Giant Parson’s Chameleon rests in the hands of the few dedicated breeders and conservationists who are working to maintain and grow its captive population. As efforts to breed these chameleons in captivity continue, there is hope that their numbers will increase, helping to ensure the survival of this extraordinary locality.
Nealon Reptiles’ commitment to preserving the Green Giant Parson’s Chameleon is a testament to the dedication required to maintain rare species. Our work contributes to the beauty and diversity of the reptile-keeping community and plays a small part in the broader mission of wildlife conservation.
