My Jacksons Chameleon Escaped (but I found him)

[DartFrogKeeper]

Earlier I got home after being gone for several hours. I looked in my chameleon cage and he was nowhere to he found. I searched for about 2 hours and actually took most of the plants and branches out and he was Nowhere to be found. Apparently I didn't secure the top latch and he was able to squeeze through the opening. So I started searching and I found him at the very top of a fake tree I have on the other side of the living room! Thankfully he was able to avoid my dog! So he had to have walked a good distance across the floor and made his way up to the tree. Anyway I am so relieved and plan to make sure I close the door all the way from now on. But I will start free ranging him a little once I clean all the dust off the tree, lol.

 

[janjan20]

Glad you found him!

 

[JacksJill]

they are pretty stealthy

 

[Harley510]

Funny lookin leaf u got there feller

 

[Mawtyplant]

have you recently buy this boy?

 

[DartFrogKeeper]

I'm embarrassed to admit this, but my Jackson's escaped from his cage twice more since I posted! Yesterday I caught him in the same tree as earlier and today I searched and searched and he was walking on the edge of my bed. Unreal. It turns out it wasn't the door he was wedging his way through. There is a hole near the bottom of the cage he had been crawling out of. I had no idea it was there. I bought my cage used and I guess this whole time that hole had been there and I didn't know. I have plugged the hole for the time being with a towel and will work on a more permanent fix.

But it amazes me how far this little guy can travel and explore. After this experience I really do want to set up some type of part time free range for him using my large artificial tree. Not a full time free range but just something to give him a break from his cage (if he'll stay put in the tree that is).

 

[JacksJill]

If you do a tree free range I would recommend a fence he can't climb around it. You can put the tree pot in a much larger plastic pot.
Just a know Jackson's are capable of jumping down when they really want to.

 

[Highway61]

With a tree free range setup, do most have a soft surface for the bottom in case they fall? I realize they're "live without a net" in the wild and although my own Jacksons is agile, I still worry about him falling when I take him out for some sun.

 

[JacksJill]

The ones I have seen do not. I personally do not use free ranges indoors or out.
These are some nice ones. https://www.chameleonforums.com/thr...e-chameleon-condos-with-drainage-pans.146593/