Mr. Echo (Jackson) general observations.

[diegoted]

Mr. Echo is about 9mo to a year old. I got him about two weeks ago from Petsmart. He is in a 3’ long by 2’ wide by 3’ high screened VV. He does not eat a lot, generally he eats 5 or 6 gut loaded, and calcium dusted med crickets or 3-4 Super worms every other day. He drinks a bit not a lot. His poops look ok. He is still not happy when we come in his room. He will darken then lighted back up after 10 to 15 minutes. He roams about his enclosure quite a bit. He likes to climb upside down a lot. He will get on my hand if I make him but is happy to be let off. His eyes are bulged not sunken. He likes his basking spot. He does walk on the bottom of his cage but goes back up. All in all, I guess he is doing ok? I am assuming he is still acclimating to his new environment? How long will this take? Is he eating enough? I assume when he is hungry he will eat. Most of his eating is done free range, even with the superworms, I will let them climb up the sides of the VV. Sometimes his nails get stuck in the screen but he manages to get his self unstuck.

I know I am rambling, but these are just what I have experienced with Mr. Echo. Does anyone see anything I should be concerned about?

 

[sdraiders619]

U should have no substrate or water bowl. They wont drink standing water and if he swallows the substrate he could die

 

[diegoted]

U should have no substrate or water bowl. They wont drink standing water and if he swallows the substrate he could die

Pic is from a week ago, I removed the substrate, and there is no water bowl, the white bowl is for the superworms. I do have a catch for the dripper which I remove the water from twice weekly.

thx Ted

 

[cambech]

Sssuming this is a jackson chameleon. it would do you some good to read the care sheets on jacksons chameleons that you can find here in this forum. my understanding of jacksons(though i have never had one myself) is that they require higher humidity and temperatures around 82 degrees max(under the basking area) and low 70's throughout the enclosure during the day. They need low 60 degree temps at night in order to sleep well and maintain a happy life.

looking at your enclosure, i would add more foliage using live plants and ficus. If he can't hide he'll stress which isn't good for his health.

 

[Mjdwicinski]

Nice looking cage but needs more foliage. Real plants are great for raising humidity. Jackson's need high humidity. A mister is key for Jackson's I say. I cover the sides and back with clear window film to hold more humidity. Are any of those lights a UVB bulbs?

 

[Kath44]

What are the 3 lights you have?
I agree, more foliage and would even go as far as saying a bigger home.
How often are you supplementing and what with? Jackson's have a different supplement need to veileds and panther, check out the care sheets.
He will still be adjusting to his new home and this can take anything from a few days to a few weeks.
Kath.

 

[pigglett79]

Here is the caresheet

https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/jacksons/

Also if you could fill this out, it will allow everyone to be sure you are on the right track.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/

Jacksons are a little different in their requriements and filling out the form will help you make sure you have everything correct.

 

[diegoted]

Thanks all, I have read the care sheets about a dozen times, Temp at basking area is around 85* and drops to about 70* on the lower perches while the lights are on. The temp drops to about 62-65* at night. The humidly fluctuates from about 60% to 80%. The middle light is a .10 UVB (compact). The other two are 60 watt bulbs. I have been looking for some live foliage but have not found anything yet. I will plan a trip to a nursery this weekend. What type of small tree can I put in? When I get home tonight I will fill out the form.

Thx again and keep the suggestions coming.

Diego

 

[ReptiGeek]

Hi Diego,
Some great live plants you can put in his enclosure would be a Ficus, Schefflera and Pothos. All will be greatly appreciated by your jacksons chameleon.

And out of curiosity, where did you get your enclosure from?

 

[FrankTheTank]

Since everyone has given great advice already...I have a question for you. Did you name him that after the character in the tv show Lost?

 

[diegoted]

Since everyone has given great advice already...I have a question for you. Did you name him that after the character in the tv show Lost?

Tank, I did! Or I should say the wife did.
RG, I built it out of screen door track.

 

[ReptiGeek]

It's very well constructed, great work!

 

[FrankTheTank]

Tank, I did! Or I should say the wife did.

Great show! Just got into it on Netflix not too long ago, and we're just starting season 4. My wife's friend wants to name her next son Sawyer, hahaha
What a great role model!

 

[Carlton]

Nice looking cage but needs more foliage. Real plants are great for raising humidity. Jackson's need high humidity. A mister is key for Jackson's I say. I cover the sides and back with clear window film to hold more humidity. Are any of those lights a UVB bulbs?

More foliage will also give him more security and he may react less to activity in the room. He's pretty exposed to view now. If you have trouble finding him in the cage it's about right.

 

[Jberd70]

Diego, what are you plans for the stand the cage is sitting on? It does not look very sturdy with the cardboard boxes and could fall and hurting your little guy. I would replace as soon as possible.

 

[diegoted]

Diego, what are you plans for the stand the cage is sitting on? It does not look very sturdy with the cardboard boxes and could fall and hurting your little guy. I would replace as soon as possible.

Not sue yet, some sort of cabinet, will hit the swapmeet this weekend to see if I can find something more sturdy. I am also going to call around to see if I can find a two foot Benjamin ficus to provide more foliage.

Diego