Ka

[CreepyCritter]

Hey guys I'm new to the forum.

Meet my Jackson chameleon Ka. I got him less than a week ago from a local pet shop. He's still a baby and probably no older than a couple months. Here's a few pics. More later.

I also have a question. I've been reading a little on forums about calcium supplements for chameleons. Anyone know where I can find some and what brands I should get? Appreciate it.

 

[bridgofaith]

http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/vitamins-medicines-and-cage-cleaners/

The 3 at the top of the page (pink,green and blue jar) are the recommended ones.

You need BOTH the calcium with D3 and the calcium withOUT D3 as well as the vitamin.

Calcium withOUT D3 is given at nearly every feeding. Calcium with D3 is only given 1-2 times per month. The Vitamin is given 1x per month. You may want to fill out the How To Ask For Help form so we could check out the rest of your setup. Are you using a UVB light?

 

[Miss Lily]

Awww! He's gorgeous! Looks older than a couple of months old though. The horns grow as they age - they wouldn't be that well formed if he was only a couple of months old.

 

[boj3434]

Great looking chameleon! I always kind of liked the jacksons.

 

[Tateg]

He's a full grown male, but he could possibly have a couple of moths to go but I doubt it, he's probably WC, so you might want to check for parasites, but have fun with him!!

 

[Leilaskeeper]

I know everyone says we should supplement both cal without and cal with d3 and a vitamin once a month ... but I've been told by a breeder that calcium isn't necessary. Only give cal with d3 2-3 days a week. He swears by it and produced many beautiful chams in the past.

Aside from that, I know humans should not supplement with calcium on its own. You should always supplement with cal + d3 as the calcium will not focus on the bones but will centralize on the major organs more than anything which isn't good at all. (A doctor informed me of this information so unfortunately I don't have a link for reference) Apparently, cal + d3 is more complex so the body will work to focus both supplements to their needed areas.

I know humans and chameleons are not one and the same obviously, but I wonder what is truly right in terms of supplementing a chameleon.

Does anyone have references or links - not just of someone recommending, but more of a science-based break down that shows chameleons need supplementation with both cal and cal+d3?

I know it's a shot in the dark but perhaps someone has done extensive research on this topic? Any scientists, biologists, zooligists out there!?

 

[serenitystarlite]

This guy here is 3-4 months old

https://www.chameleonforums.com/members/serenitystarlite-albums-jackson-s.html

 

[Texas Panther Man]

Please research your supplementing before taking any one persons word as the go to standard for a supplement schedule. Jacksons and other montane species are said to be more sensitve to supplements. I've heard some say they only supplement sparingly with calcium Without D3 twice weekly and 1-2 times monthly with D3. I have always found its better to properly gutload all your feeders then you know your cham is getting his/her vitamins. Use a varied diet and gutload. Also make sure you provide lots of water and don't let the temps get to high. These guys like it cooler than veileds or panthers.

 

[CreepyCritter]

Thank you all for your suggestions.

He's a full grown male, but he could possibly have a couple of moths to go but I doubt it, he's probably WC, so you might want to check for parasites, but have fun with him!!

I'm assuming WC stands for wild caught. How can you tell? I wasn't aware that pet stores can sell wild animals. Would it be dangerous handling it then?

Thanks again for your guys help.

 

[fluxlizard]

Aside from that, I know humans should not supplement with calcium on its own. You should always supplement with cal + d3 as the calcium will not focus on the bones but will centralize on the major organs more than anything which isn't good at all. (A doctor informed me of this information so unfortunately I don't have a link for reference) Apparently, cal + d3 is more complex so the body will work to focus both supplements to their needed areas.

I know humans and chameleons are not one and the same obviously, but I wonder what is truly right in terms of supplementing a chameleon.

The problem is, most humans don't get enough sunlight. And we don't sit under UV lamps. We could make our own D3 if we did. And we wouldn't need d3 added to our milk and other calcium.

ScienceDaily (Apr. 14, 2009) — According to a recent study in the Archives of Internal Medicine, 75 percent of Americans do not get enough Vitamin D.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090408140208.htm

So humans, chams not too different that way.

 

[pssh]

Wild caught chams are usually just harder to aclimate and have parasites. You can still handle him, but I suggest no morethan once a week unless he voluntarily climbs out on his own. Take him to a vet with a fresh sample of poo and have them run a fecal on it so they can get rid of them, assuming he has them.

 

[laurie]

This guy here is 3-4 months old



What a little cutie. I could babychamsit him for 5 or 6 years for you.

 

[Brad Ramsey]

http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/vitamins-medicines-and-cage-cleaners/

The 3 at the top of the page (pink,green and blue jar) are the recommended ones.

You need BOTH the calcium with D3 and the calcium withOUT D3 as well as the vitamin.

Calcium withOUT D3 is given at nearly every feeding. Calcium with D3 is only given 1-2 times per month. The Vitamin is given 1x per month. You may want to fill out the How To Ask For Help form so we could check out the rest of your setup. Are you using a UVB light?

Hmmm.

I supplement my Jackson's with calcium (NO D3) once or twice a week, Calcium with D3 NEVER, multivitamin NEVER.
As previously mentioned gut load is the key, lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.

-Brad

 

[Brad Ramsey]

Awww! He's gorgeous! Looks older than a couple of months old though. The horns grow as they age - they wouldn't be that well formed if he was only a couple of months old.

Correct.
In my estimation this chameleon is at least one year old.

-Brad

 

[Brad Ramsey]

Thank you all for your suggestions.



I'm assuming WC stands for wild caught. How can you tell? I wasn't aware that pet stores can sell wild animals. Would it be dangerous handling it then?

Thanks again for your guys help.

Chances are (95%) sure this animal is wild caught.
Have a fecal done soon.

-Brad