Considering a Jackson chameleon, questions about temp drop

[Michelle4155]

Hi,
I am new to the chameleon world, have been researching for many weeks to make sure I do this right. I have ordered all my supplies which are starting to arrive, so things are getting exciting. I have listened to the experts and hopefully purchased the proper equipment. Anyways, here is my question. I would really like a Jackson, is it even possible to have one indoors where ambient temp is typically 70-75 during the day and 68 at night? Maybe that's not enough of a drop. If not would a fan help? Does the basking light count (average 85 degeees) as the temp the chameleon is registering internally,and then when it is turned off at night and the ambient is around 68. Does that count as a big enough drop? I hope I'm explaining that properly.

 

[SteveH]

Hi, all those numbers are pretty good for a jacksons. Don't let the basking temp go above 85. For nighttime drop 68 is good but a little lower would be better. Here's a link that you may find very useful ...
https://chameleonacademy.com/the-jacksons-chameleon-trioceros-jacksonii/

 

[Beman]

Hi @Michelle4155 welcome to the forum! The link that Steve posted above will help you out.

When you measure basking I find it best to go with a gauge that has a probe hooked in at the branch below the basking fixture. This will give you a really good idea on where your temps are sitting. I like to see a few degrees lower than my target temp because where the cham rises up off the branch is going to be warmer.

Temp drops at night: some cheats are ice packs on top of the cage will help lower ambient cage temps. I find that a fan in the room really only moves around your ambient air temp so unless your attaching ice packs to the front of it it will not give you a lower temp.
Now if your cage is going to be in a room where you can close down the vent for heat that will make it easier to control your night time drop. This is what I do. I have to close the vent down completely in winter to control ambient temps and at night I close the door to the room. This will keep the room cooler than my house ambient temp.

Here are some blogs that @JacksJill has put together as well https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/jacksons-chameleon-articles-and-studies.2407/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/my-jacksons-supplement-schedule.2463/
And if you get a female... https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/slugs-or-unfertilized-ova-and-what-they-look-like.2466/

 

[Michelle4155]

Hi, all those numbers are pretty good for a jacksons. Don't let the basking temp go above 85. For nighttime drop 68 is good but a little lower would be better. Here's a link that you may find very useful ...
https://chameleonacademy.com/the-jacksons-chameleon-trioceros-jacksonii/

Thanks for the link, I'm going to read it now. What do you think about a fan? Is it necessary, do they even tolerate something like that?

 

[SteveH]

Thanks for the link, I'm going to read it now. What do you think about a fan? Is it necessary, do they even tolerate something like that?

I don't think a fan would be needed since you will want to be running a fogger/humidifier at night which will help cool things down a little bit.

 

[Michelle4155]

Hi @Michelle4155 welcome to the forum! The link that Steve posted above will help you out.

When you measure basking I find it best to go with a gauge that has a probe hooked in at the branch below the basking fixture. This will give you a really good idea on where your temps are sitting. I like to see a few degrees lower than my target temp because where the cham rises up off the branch is going to be warmer.

Temp drops at night: some cheats are ice packs on top of the cage will help lower ambient cage temps. I find that a fan in the room really only moves around your ambient air temp so unless your attaching ice packs to the front of it it will not give you a lower temp.
Now if your cage is going to be in a room where you can close down the vent for heat that will make it easier to control your night time drop. This is what I do. I have to close the vent down completely in winter to control ambient temps and at night I close the door to the room. This will keep the room cooler than my house ambient temp.

Here are some blogs that @JacksJill has put together as well https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/jacksons-chameleon-articles-and-studies.2407/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/my-jacksons-supplement-schedule.2463/
And if you get a female... https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/slugs-or-unfertilized-ova-and-what-they-look-like.2466/

Thanks, that's a lot of really helpful information, I appreciate it. I have a handheld temp gauge gun that I was planning on using, should I use a probe instead?

 

[jamest0o0]

A fan won’t help and may even hurt. They help cool us by evaporation(sweat, which chams don’t have) or by exchanging warm air with cool air, like if it was cool outside and you blew air inside from a window. Air exchange is good and if it’s not creating a draft in the chameleon enclosure, it’s beneficial for respiratory reasons(I even like the method of having a fan turn on intermittently to pull air out of an enclosure for a few minutes every hour or so), but if one was trying to blow air on the chameleon or create a drafty environment, they’d likely be increasing the risk of RI.

 

[Beman]

Thanks, that's a lot of really helpful information, I appreciate it. I have a handheld temp gauge gun that I was planning on using, should I use a probe instead?

I prefer the gauge with probe. I find they have more accurate readings then a temp gun. The temp gun is going to measure the surface temp of something.

 

[Michelle4155]

A fan won’t help and may even hurt. They help cool us by evaporation(sweat, which chams don’t have) or by exchanging warm air with cool air, like if it was cool outside and you blew air inside from a window. Air exchange is good and if it’s not creating a draft in the chameleon enclosure, it’s beneficial for respiratory reasons(I even like the method of having a fan turn on intermittently to pull air out of an enclosure for a few minutes every hour or so), but if one was trying to blow air on the chameleon or create a drafty environment, they’d likely be increasing the risk of RI.

Ok, good to know, thank you.

 

[Lindasjackson]

Hi there, where about s do you live? A cooler climate is better for a Jackson’s since they prefer cooler temps than say a veiled or a panther. air Conditioning helps a lot if you’re in a warmer climate.

 

[Michelle4155]

HI,
I live in Central California. After doing some more research, I believe a Panther may be a better fit for us.

 

[Lindasjackson]

I agree. Please go to a well known breeder to select your chameleon. You’ll get a healthier chameleon and a lot of great advice from a breeder.

 

[Michelle4155]

Thanks, and yes I agree. I have been looking into that for a couple of weeks so far. Appreciate your advice.

 

[DaChameleon66]

Some quick info, female Jacksons don't lay eggs. Panther chameleons do lay eggs. For a panther you need a egg laying bin.

 

[Michelle4155]

Thanks for that, we actually will be getting a male.

 

[crosscutts]

Thanks, and yes I agree. I have been looking into that for a couple of weeks so far. Appreciate your advice.

Central coast here , I keep Mandane species , winter time is not as difficult as summer , Summer just requires air conditioning , and of course humidity and fogger .