Jackson's Chameleon Help Needed

[nematosis]

My boyfriend is very interested in getting a Jackson's Chameleon so I took the initiative and joined to find out the best care possible. The chameleon would live with him in his apartment, but would be cared for by us both. His experience with reptiles consist of a banded gecko who lived for thirteen and mine was with a lovely sandfire bearded dragon who, sadly, only lived for five.

So, I've read through the general care and know that each species is deferent...
We like to handle our animals and I've read that Jackson's CAN be handled, but are best not to handle too often as one would a bearded dragon... We want to get one young so that it would grow up with us and get used to being handled occasionally.

Any information is highly appreciated. Thanks in advance~!

 

[FredChameleon]

i would suggest free ranging and train to eat from a cup.... you don't want crickets and or other little bugs loose in your apartment. they like it kind cool and would need multiple misstings daily. Make sure your managment office does not do surprise bug spraying... you will come home to a dead Cham. Use a drip system for water and dangle a 50 watt heat lamp above a good basking spot should it want some warmth. use a benjamina ficus tree for your cham to live in and maybe some ropes out and about the tree, like to the ceiling and then back to the tree and out again... gives it more area to roam other than escaping down onto the floor where it can get injured.
good luck!

 

[laurie]

Hello, I hate to sound like a downer but although you can hold a Jackson, very few will not get very stressed. None of my jacksons want to be held. If you hold a chameleon of any type that does not get comfortable being held the stress can shorten their lives. Holding chameleons in general is usually not a good idea.

You might do a search on Jacksons and you will get a lot of information.

 

[nematosis]

Fred: Is there a well-known post on here on free-ranging? I'd like to look in deeper on that. Thanks for the info!


Laurie: That's alright- I've known chameleons to be rather fragile reptiles... Even if we can't handle them we'd love them just the same from afar! I suppose it's like a veiled's aggression, that it varies per chameleon, though? Thanks for your help!

 

[eisentrauti]

Hello, I hate to sound like a downer but although you can hold a Jackson, very few will not get very stressed. None of my jacksons want to be held. If you hold a chameleon of any type that does not get comfortable being held the stress can shorten their lives. Holding chameleons in general is usually not a good idea.

You might do a search on Jacksons and you will get a lot of information.

If I could give you rep points for this I would I dont think that a jacksonii (about which subspecies are we speaking here ?????) are the best for a chameleon starter. How about a calyptratus or pardalis ? They are easy to get, they dont need so much care and they are much hardier.

@Fredchameleon: How did you get the idea about free ranging for a beginner ? I cannot understand this. Free ranging is for people who have experience and can see the needs of the chameleon very fast. Additionally, free ranging requires in most cases watering via pipette which need much time

 

[eisentrauti]

Fred: Is there a well-known post on here on free-ranging? I'd like to look in deeper on that. Thanks for the info!

Laurie: That's alright- I've known chameleons to be rather fragile reptiles... Even if we can't handle them we'd love them just the same from afar! I suppose it's like a veiled's aggression, that it varies per chameleon, though? Thanks for your help!

About the handling question: It's really different from species to species, from specimen to specimen. Some animals will try to bite you, others can completely ignore you. In most cases people think that an chameleon who ignores them like them - typical humanization for let's be honest, very dumb animals...
Some people will tell you that their chameleon will come to them immediately - they have relative intelligent ones which have linked humans with food

 

[nematosis]

If I could give you rep points for this I would I dont think that a jacksonii (about which subspecies are we speaking here ?????) are the best for a chameleon starter. How about a calyptratus or pardalis ? They are easy to get, they dont need so much care and they are much hardier.

@Fredchameleon: How did you get the idea about free ranging for a beginner ? I cannot understand this. Free ranging is for people who have experience and can see the needs of the chameleon very fast. Additionally, free ranging requires in most cases watering via pipette which need much time

I'm speaking generally in terms of species- as I am new to this particular animal, I do not know of their subspecies.

We don't want an aggressive chameleon- how is the temperament of a panther? We can get a hold of most any type of chameleon through a very experienced pet store with in store experts on specific animals {seriously... this pet store raises the bar.}. If we want it, they'll get it if it is possible. Can you, or anyone else, tell me the specific care for a jackson's and how it differs to that of a panther or veiled, other than hardiness?

 

[eisentrauti]

I'm speaking generally in terms of species- as I am new to this particular animal, I do not know of their subspecies.

We don't want an aggressive chameleon- how is the temperament of a panther? We can get a hold of most any type of chameleon through a very experienced pet store with in store experts on specific animals {seriously... this pet store raises the bar.}. If we want it, they'll get it if it is possible. Can you, or anyone else, tell me the specific care for a jackson's and how it differs to that of a panther or veiled, other than hardiness?

As I told you. It's impossible to generalize the temperament. There are three subspecies of jacksonii: jacksonii merumontanus which are the most expensive ones and nothing for beginners or people without cold night temps. Then the two Kenyan subspecies, jacksonii jacksonii and jacksonii xantholophus.
Xantholophus are the easiest to get because they have a big colony in Hawaii, caused by humans. They are cheap and they can handle higher temperatures better than the other two.
The specific care is written down in many books, homepages. So please search a bit on your own. Btw, we have here a great search function which will answer all your questions

 

[nematosis]

Quite honestly, I find that forums provide the best care for Chameleons. My browser is packed with tabs of other websites, but I know from experience that it is best to go straight to the source- people who've owned them for years or just are very knowledgeable about them. That's why I am here and why I am asking.

Thank you- I'll keep researching. Thanks for letting me know about the search function- I'll be using that. I think we've broadened our scope from not just Jackson's, but panthers as well. Thanks for your help.

 

[laurie]

These are a few of my personal views on panthers & veiled (almost the same care) and Jacksons which are a lot different.

I currently have all three. My panther & veil live upstairs. They prefer a warmer area with less humidity. Both have larger cages than my montanes. A lot of veiled can be friendly, as can a panther. If you look at threads here you will see a number of people who can hold a panther or veiled with no problem. Make no mistake, that does not make them cuddly like a bearded dragon. A panther or veiled are more suited to free ranging than a jackson. But I would caution you that Benny is correct, you need a lot of experience with your chameleon before you even consider free ranging. Most if not all people don't have the close monitoring when the cham is free ranging as when they are in a cage. As a less experienced keeper you need to be very aware of the health of your cham daily to recognize any changes.


Montanes are what include Jacksons, Quad, & Deremensis among others, but you get the idea. My guess is all my Jacksons and Quads would die in the room with my panther (P) & veiled (V)I could not supply the humidity needed by jackson & quads without causing health problems for the panther & veiled.The ambient room temp down stairs with the quads and jacksons (xanth - the hardy of the jacksons) is 67 with basking at a high of 75. usually more like 72. Humidity drops to 50 % and goes up into the mid 90%. They are smaller the panther & veiled so need smaller feeders. Both are shy as compared to P & V so require lots heavier planting in their cages so they are able to hide to the point you have to work to see them. because of the possible health issues montanes need to be monitored much closer. Any chameleon can get sick and die really fast, but in my experience the montanes react negatively faster to health issues.

I am sure someone on here has free ranged a jackson or quad but based on humidity, temps, and size of chameleon I would NOT recommend it. Finding a small cham is very difficult. I have had trouble finding a full sized veiled male.

I know there are a million things I have left out but off the top of my head that is all I can quickly think of.

Side note-- Benny why can't you give me rep points for this thread? just wondering. I am not begging - well maybe..........

 

[Titan]

First off where are you from? I'm going to attach a couple pictures of some very friendly human loving Jacksons I have had for some time, and are just so personable and great!

I'm Also needing to reduce the amount of Chams I have around my place so I have been thinking of selling some only to members here.

I would sell each of these super friendly Guys for $65 each if your interested?

First pick is of "Sparky" on the GF's hand, same Cham in both pic's!
Last is Puppet such a cool lil guy!!!

Check em out.

 

[eisentrauti]

They are not friendly (or did you ask them). They just ignore you

 

[xanthoman]

its true, they are wild animals and temperment needs to be judged on a case by case basis, but i think in very general terms , species wise, as a rule xanths will have a better temperment than veileds or panthers. most xanths are quite docile. jacksons generally arent recomended as a starter species, they are a little less tolerant of mistakes in their care requirements, especially when it comes to supplementation issues, initially, i dont think they are any harder to care for than veileds or panthers, just a little different. xanths are actually quite tough as long as they arent over-supplemented. heres the thing, having problems is just part of the natural curve of learning to keep chameleons, and if you have problems with a jackson, you will likely have less time to notice it, treat it, and turn it around than you might with one of the hardier species. if its a jacksons you truly want, i say go for it, as long as one does their homework, there is no reason they cant be successful, as long as they are prepared to do a little extra homework and take their care responsibilities a little more seriously. unless one is an especially attentive keeper, i would recomend keeping them for a year before attemting to free range. that being said, i will say that imo, Titan's "puppet" is a gorgeous little xanth and a great deal for $65 jmo

 

[FredChameleon]

Fred: Is there a well-known post on here on free-ranging? I'd like to look in deeper on that. Thanks for the info!

there are a few ppl on here that do free range and have mentioned it in some posts but not sure if any of the posts have gone into detail. i don't free range due to my having 2 dogs and a cat, i keep my cham in a 24x24x48 screen inclosure and do take him outside every now and thenwhen the temperature is not over 82F.

 

[Titan]

I will add here that I free range many of my Chams. But I do not have any Jacksons this way. They seem real happy in their cages that are fairly dence in plantation and climbing items. (They do like a cage setup with available secluded areas) Even though most my Jackson are very friendly & personable, just the 2 pictured above actually like comming to me and hanging out.

I also will not suggest any cage smaller than a 2' x 2' x 4' for an Adult Jacksons. They really thrive with some elbow room!

 

[JaxyGirl]

I do Free Range my Jackson's and have been for over a year now. But, it took some time before he started free ranging consistently. I didn't just get him and throw him on a bush. He started in a cage. Then I hung some Pothos plants over his cage so he could reach the vines and climb up and I'd let him hang out while I was home and put him in his cage at night. Then one day I put him back in his cage and I thought he was going to kill himself trying to get out. To the point I thought he would break a horn or really hurt himself. So I left him out and the rest is history. He now pretty much owns the living room...LOL! He's adapted to hand feeding (so I can monitor how much he eats) and drinks out of a spray bottle (so I know he's well hydrated). I don't think I would be able to free range him if he didn't drink directly out of the sprayer or eat from hand because he won't drink from a dripper and he also will not have anything to do with cup feeding. That's my experience with Free Ranging my Jackson's and it works out well for us.

As for for temps and humidity It's pretty much the same as when I kept him in a cage. I live in Maine, so depending on the season the temps in my house are; Daytime 75-85. Night 60-75 and humidity 40-90%.
In the winter I use a humidifier.