Jackson's Chameleon

[Disarray]

I work at Petco and they have two Jackson's chameleons, a male and a female. I know pet stores are not the best place to get reptiles, but I really like the female. I'm not new to reptiles, but I've never had a chameleon before. I am aware of the level of care and expense required to keep chameleons. I was just hoping to get some good advice, and to know if she looks healthy. I've been reading through lots of threads on this forum so I have a pretty good idea of what I need to buy for her. I was planning on getting her in about a month (she's been there 6 months and she is not currently up for sale to regular customers). I figured a month would give me enough time to save up some money and get her enclosure all set up. Let me know what you guys think.

 

[Mcfluffin]

Whilst in the US I visited a petco in CT. I was actually REALLY impressed with their standards of hygeine and care. The animals they had were in really good condition!

If you can provide a bit of a temperature drop at night for her and a high humidity jackson are meant to be a good starter. Read up loads and buy all the bits in I say

 

[bucky]

Just dont follow petco's instructions on keeping chams...

 

[Disarray]

Oh I wasn't planning on it. I was going to go by the information on this forum. Would the medium 13 item setup on this website be good for her?
http://www.chameleonsonly.com/Screen-Enclosures.htm

Also, I'm going to start a dubia roach colony for my bearded dragon...are they good feeders for chameleons as well?

 

[Trace]

I think she looks good. Colour is nice. Eyes are clear and bulgy. Casque is full. I think she is a bit overweight (she may be gravid!?!?) and that can be addressed when you pick her up. Ask the pet store if she is wild caught (WC) or captive bred. (CB)

Roaches are excellent feeder insects for chameleons! Go for it.

The medium 13 cage will be a good size for her. I find the female jax to be fairly sedentary so a huge cage isn't necessarily needed. I'm not sure if that $199 is a decent price or not? You could probably find a lot of those items cheaper at your local hardware store and whatnot. But then again, buying everything at once, saves the hassle of driving or ordering from a bunch of different places. Your call.

Don't be afraid to ask questions about your future pet! Chameleons are a little more difficult to care for than most reptiles.

Cheers,
t

 

[Brad Ramsey]

I think she looks good. Colour is nice. Eyes are clear and bulgy. Casque is full. I think she is a bit overweight (she may be gravid!?!?)

Cheers,
t

Agreed.
Are they keeping the male and female together?

-Brad

 

[Disarray]

Actually, one of the managers told me that there is a possibility she is gravid which is why they won't sell her right now. They kept her with the male when they first arrived at the petstore, but they fought. After that she started to put on weight....so if she is gravid she is probably about 6 months along. The gestation period is 6-10 months right? Anyway I was hoping that if she is she would give birth before I brought her home, but then again I am probably better equipped to care for the babies than Petco. I have done a little reading on raising cham babies, but not much since they are not sure if she is gravid or not.

 

[Brad Ramsey]

Jackson babies can be tricky.
Quite difficult actually ... they would surely perish in the pet store.

-Brad

 

[Brad Ramsey]

http://www.geocities.com/chamjacksonii/

Look under breeding for neonate care.

-Brad

 

[Disarray]

Thanks for the info. Is it common for them to have 30 babies, that might be a little overwhelming especially since they have to be separated. If there are any more experienced members that live in Georgia who would be willing to help me out by taking the babies if she is gravid, let me know.

One other question, I read on here that someone had a reptarium that they hung from the ceiling. I know that most don't like reptariums, but that is pretty cool. Are they really that bad?

 

[Professor Booty]

One other question, I read on here that someone had a reptarium that they hung from the ceiling. I know that most don't like reptariums, but that is pretty cool. Are they really that bad?

There's nothing particularly wrong with Reptariums. But, they have some small disadvantages that make the cost savings less appealing.

They're much harder to see through than an aluminum mesh cage. Crickets can chew through the plastic mesh if left alive in there long enough. The mesh wraps around the outside of the plastic tubes, allowing debris to gather along the bars.

There is a company that sells terrariums that are meant to be hung, they might be worth looking into. I can't remember the name.

 

[opihiman]

is it just me or do her legs look swollen...is it possible to get a picture with better detail?

What is her activity level like?


OPI

 

[FOREVER ENDEAVOR]

jacksons are awsome "starter" chameleons.. go for it.. im sure with the correct husbandry you can give her a better home then petco ever could.. my female jackson is very friendly and active.. one of my favorate chams..

 

[Disarray]

is it just me or do her legs look swollen...is it possible to get a picture with better detail?

What is her activity level like?


OPI

I'll try to get a better picture next time I work. She rarely moves, I've been told she eats her crickets at night so I guess she moves then, but she stays in the same place during the day.

There is a reptile show at the end of July, I was going to wait until then to take her home because I was hoping to find some good deals on supplies there. I don't want her to have her babies at Petco though, that would be a nightmare...is there anyway to tell when she will have them or if she really is even pregnant?

 

[Trace]

Rarely moves eh? Eats at night eh?

As I mentioned earlier in this thread, I found the female xantholophus to be somewhat sedentary during the day but not moving is another thing altogether. Also chameleons sleep like stones once the lights go out so hearing that she "only eats at night" is a red flag for me for a few reasons. One being; that pet store is feeding you a lie if they told you that; it doesn't happen - what else are they saying about her history. Another, if she doesn't eat in front of you, then she's not eating period and that's not good.

All that said, I'd like to see another pic or pics of her before you make a final decision. I'd hate to see you buy into an unhealthy animal as your first chameleon.

Cheers,
t

 

[Disarray]

The only info. I can get on her history is that she's been there approximately 6 months, was housed with the male at first and they think she was captive bred. I've been watching her for about a week and have yet to see her do anything other than change positions. I just started working on the sales floor today (was working in grooming) so I'll monitor her and see how she does. I misted her cage today, they told me people don't really keep up with that. She hated it, she climbed onto the ceiling and turned dark. I wish I could get her out of there now, but I don't have the money yet.

 

[Trace]

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that ovoviviparous (giving live birth) chameleons do get somewhat sedentary when they get further along in their pregnancy. They also stop eating as their bellies get full of babies - food just doesn't fit in there anymore! That gal probably is gravid ('tis the season 'n all) so that would explain those few things.

Gestation in live bearers is usually 6 months but can last to 10 or more months. She could give birth any time.

I'm glad you can monitor her on a daily basis. Keep her humidity up; it crucial for montane species so mist her frequently. Yeah, she won't like it, but it's good for her. Offer small amounts of food daily but remove any uneaten insects before the store closes. A day or two before she gives birth she will get very active. Use this as a clue to move her to a private room for the birthing process. She should be left alone for that. No prying eyes from customers or staff please, otherwise she may difficulties giving birth. The whole birthing process takes a few hours / half a day and once she is done, then the babies can be removed from her cage for raising individually. Mom will not immediately eat her babies like some people will tell you.

Good luck with her! And please don't be afraid to ask questions.
Cheers,
t

 

[Disarray]

Ok, I feel better now that I know she is acting normal for a gravid cham. I'm still trying to decide on a cage. I like the reptariums because they are lightweight, easy to pack (I'm a college student), they can be washed in the washing machine and they are black. I'm going to be feeding roaches, will they chew threw the mesh?

 

[dodolah]

Ok, I feel better now that I know she is acting normal for a gravid cham. I'm still trying to decide on a cage. I like the reptariums because they are lightweight, easy to pack (I'm a college student), they can be washed in the washing machine and they are black. I'm going to be feeding roaches, will they chew threw the mesh?

I hope she will give birth to healthy babies.
I don't think roaches will b able to chew the mesh.
But, I never free roam roaches since they are notoriously good at hiding and sneaking into crevices.

1 Q, what's gonna happen to the babies?
I really hope that they are not gonna b cared by petco.
With all due respects (since you are a petco employee), Petco doesn't know jack in caring for chameleon. I feel sad for them babies.

 

[Disarray]

I hope she will give birth to healthy babies.
I don't think roaches will b able to chew the mesh.
But, I never free roam roaches since they are notoriously good at hiding and sneaking into crevices.

1 Q, what's gonna happen to the babies?
I really hope that they are not gonna b cared by petco.
With all due respects (since you are a petco employee), Petco doesn't know jack in caring for chameleon. I feel sad for them babies.

I know they are not great for reptiles. There are a lot of knowledgeable employees, but corporate has a set way of doing things and they refuse to change. Trust me, I've been trying to fix some things and I'm not getting anywhere. Petco will not be caring for the babies...unless she has them before I can purchase her. I will do my best to raise them until they are old enough to go to new homes.