jackson confussion

[felix]

looking to get into a group of jacksons but when I talked to the owner of a pretty well off reptile only store he said it wouldn't be a good idea since i live on long island. He breeds veild's, carpets, and quads

 

[Monties1982]

Why would living on long island make it a bad idea to have jackson's?

 

[BeBoSON]

looking to get into a group of jacksons but when I talked to the owner of a pretty well off reptile only store he said it wouldn't be a good idea since i live on long island. He breeds veild's, carpets, and quads

There are a couple of members on the forum that live on Long Island. Did you ask why?

 

[felix]

He said that they need high humidity and temperatures but must also get away from the sun when neccesary. He also mentioned a drop in temperature. I wanted to get your opinions , Thanks

 

[Olimpia]

I had a Jackson's as my first chameleon and I didn't find him hard to take care of. Mind you, you could argue that it was easier being in Florida, but the AC dries up the air a lot so it doesn't necessarily make a huge difference.

I used to have a 45w bulb or so to keep the basking temps at 80-84*F. Most keep the max temp at 80, but I felt mine did better with a couple more degrees.

I used to mist him (with an automatic mister) for about 45 minutes a day, 20 minutes first thing in the morning and the rest throughout the days in 5 or 15 minute intervals. This, and the live plants, did a lot to keep the humidity up.

If you find that you still have problems with humidity, you can either get a humidifier and/or cover up 2-3 sides of the cage in something like plastic, to keep humidity in the screen cage.

Also, as far as the night temps, I found that my house always dropped a little at night anyway. In winter I would open the window a crack and let the room temps drop, maybe down to 60 or more. And we only get cool nights a few weeks of the year, I imagine in NJ it would be easier to get night temp drops! lol

 

[Monties1982]

They do need high humidity, but they definitely don't need high temperatures. Low to mid 70's during the day with a basking spot about 10 degrees warmer and down into the 60's at night is best. As long as you can achieve that, jackson's would be fine no matter where you live. Is the owner of the pet store also in Long Island?

 

[CamiGirl89]

Sounds to me like the store owner has a thing against Long Island Jacksons... Maybe something happened way back when?

 

[Elizadolots]

You'll provide places to get out of the sun (indeed, won't you keep him indoors and create a controlled artificial sun for him?) and you'll keep his humidity up. That their needs are different from Panthers and Veileds does not make them "harder".

 

[JoeG]

looking to get into a group of jacksons but when I talked to the owner of a pretty well off reptile only store he said it wouldn't be a good idea since i live on long island. He breeds veild's, carpets, and quads

Might be a misunderstanding. I have jacksons on LI and as long as we provide them with the conditions that they require, there is no reason they can't be kept here. If its too hot, we keep them cool. If its too cold we keep them warm. We use a humidifier if its the air is too dry. Just like any other chameleon, we give them what they need to enjoy their lives in our environment as much as possible. Send me a PM if you need more info...

 

[felix]

Thanks a million, Looking back on it he maybe was only used to wild caught jacksons

 

[Sticktongue]

Am i the only one here that things the pet store was trying to sway felix away from a jackson to try and get a sell on one of his animals he had in the store already?

 

[felix]

He did have many veild's on hand

 

[Monties1982]

It just doesn't make sense for him to say that jackson's aren't good for Long Island when he breeds quads. They have about the same requirements as jackson's and if anything need even higher humidity.

 

[felix]

He said that they're not hardy at all and can do great one week but suddenly die for no apparent reason

 

[mattj]

Felix, Im in Suffolk and just bought a Jacksons about two weeks ago. And he seems to be doing fine. Eating and drinking plenty. Lively during the day. Its not like youre going to be keeping him outside during the winter. In your home I dont think its too hard to maintain the environment they require.

This is my first Jackson. But I had a veiled years ago and honestly didnt do nearly as much as Im doing now. (I never really paid attention to humidity and temps with my first one and she still did great)

This time I did get a humidity and temp gauge and I do pay a little more attention to things. But like I said he seems to be doing fine.