Im new please tell me if im doing something wrong

[climbng69]

Hello all,

I have got my first chameleon yesterday and want to make sure I'm doing everything right. I live in Hawaii and purchased a Jackson at a local pet store. i got a 18x18x36 cage a 50 watt basking bulb and a 25 uvb tube fluorescent bulb from slime line. A Big dripper with 2 hoses dripping a about 1 drop every 12 sec each that are aimed at two hibscuscus and i mist with spray bottle 2 or 3 times a day although since i have had him i have only seen him drink of the leaves once. For food i got crickets i give him enough until he stops to eat about 4or5 in the morning and non after ussaly i leave one in there. Also have repashy superfood for dusting the crickets. I have paper towls on the bottom of the cage "aluminum mesh" and try to keep the temps in the 80's with the humidity bouncing between 60 and 80 depending on the last misting. I have the lights on a automatic timer that go on at 7am and turn of at 7pm. he is in a medium traffic area. i keep the light of in his room after 7. His behavior is at the top of the cage going back and forth from the side with the heat lamp and the side without.he is bout 3 to 4 inches long "not including tail" He has been green first thing in the morning but turns a dark brown/black by the night time. And his fieces is black with white. I have also set up a cricket area to allow for gut loading in a plastic tub that i keep fresh carrots and give them fluckers cricket quencher instead of water. please any constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for you time

A.T.

 

[jannb]

Welcome to the forums. Any pictures of your new chameleon? I have never kept Jacksons but I do have a Jackson care sheet attached for you below. I would recommend a variety of feeders and not just crickets. I do know that they like it a little cooler than panthers and veileds and they require less supplements. Are you using any supplements at all?
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/jacksons/

 

[climbng69]

pics

Here are some pics the last one is the powder im dusting the crickets with.

 

[kinyonga]

Insects such as superworms, roaches, locusts, crickets can be fed and gutloaded with a wide assortment of greens such as collards, escarole, endive, dandelion greens, kale, etc and veggies such as carrots, sweet red pepper, squash, zucchini, sweet potato, etc.

Supplements are your choice as long as they provide the right ratio of calcium to phosphorous and do the overdo the fat soluble vitamins.

 

[climbng69]

What should that ratio be and how often the container says every day. This was the only kind i could get at the local petco. Is there a good website to order things off of.

 

[Psychobunny]

One thing to keep in mind with jax is water, and lots of it!

Instead of a misting system, I strongly recommend a rain system, automated so it goes off during the day.

Jax are used to wet, humid climats of the mountain reagions in Africa, where it often rains several days at a time in the rainy season.

They also prefer cooler temps then a panther or veiled cham, and getting them to drink can be a bit tricky.
Dehydration is a major complaint with jax owners.

Jax do everything slowly, so even when they are standing right in the rain, it can take them a few minutes to start drinking, and sometimes they dont like drinking if they know you are watching them.

To determine the amount of time to program my rain system timer, I turn it on, and watch my jax from a distance with a stopwatch. I make a note of how long it takes for them to slowly lumber over to the falling rain and start to drink. It can take several minutes. When they are done drinking, they lift their heads up, and just walk away.
I time this process 3 times, take an average, and use that to programe my mistking pump timer.

You can also use a hand misting bottle. Adjust the nozzle so it sprays course spray, rather then a fine mist. Spray him from above, directly on top of his head, in short, controlled bursts.
The water runs down their horns and head, and into their mouth.

When the are really thirsty, you can easy go through a quart of water.
It's also best to warm the water just a bit, so it's warmer then the room temp.
If they have been basking, they dont want cold water dumped on them.

Also, be carefull with suppliments, it's easy to overdo it
I dust with plain calcium every other feeding, and use the Repashy Calcium with loD once a week, and Repashy Calcium plus (regular formula) once a month.
The regular formula is almost like a multivitamine, it has everything in it, but I do dust with a multivitamine every other month.

It's also important to provide them with real sunshine to bask it whenever the weather allows.

 

[CarlC]

To figure out the conditions this species needs all you'll need to do is drive to a place near your home with some elevation. If you already live in the hills just look outside.

The jacksons you are keeping was collected in Hawaii. Simulate the conditions you already live in or near and you'll be fine.

For good food spend 30 minutes or so collecting your own insects. The insects you collect are what your jacksons was already eating. If you have a screened in porch or balcony set your cage up outside. Keep the cage where it will be exposed to sunlight for a few hours each day. Provide a dense plant for it to retreat to when it's had enough sun. Use a dripper to provide water each morning.

Carl

 

[climbng69]

What did i do why is he so black. i gave him crickets and a misting walked away and he is black a night!!!!!! i finished his house and had to move his cage around a bit is that why????