New Jackson Need Help!

[OahuJacksons]

Hi guys im from the islands of Oahu Hawaii and I wanna grab a Jackson 3 horn chameleon. I went on the web and read about it and stuff but it only says the same thing no matter what u type in or what search site u go on. So I want to hear from actual chameleon owners. They say u need a cage about 25x25x35, do u really need it that big?? My cage I built is 12x12x25 is that ok? Like I said I live in Hawaii so can I keep him/her out side in natural sun light?? Cuz I don't have the money to buy the lights right now. What's the best type of food to feed them? Cuz people say they get tired of the same food like crikets, mealworms. I also wanted to know what's the best way to avoid MBD? Thank u guys for all your help and support Mahalo.

 

[Carlton]

Hi guys im from the islands of Oahu Hawaii and I wanna grab a Jackson 3 horn chameleon. I went on the web and read about it and stuff but it only says the same thing no matter what u type in or what search site u go on. So I want to hear from actual chameleon owners. They say u need a cage about 25x25x35, do u really need it that big?? My cage I built is 12x12x25 is that ok? Like I said I live in Hawaii so can I keep him/her out side in natural sun light?? Cuz I don't have the money to buy the lights right now. What's the best type of food to feed them? Cuz people say they get tired of the same food like crikets, mealworms. I also wanted to know what's the best way to avoid MBD? Thank u guys for all your help and support Mahalo.

Well, if you are finding some basic husbandry info that agrees, that may be because the sources are supported by each other. A good thing. The husbandry info on jackson's you find on this forum can be trusted, as there are years and years of collected experience here. The MINIMAL cage size I'd use for a male jax would be even larger than 25x25x25. Larger cages are actually easier to manage. You can find better bushy plants for them, there is more living space for the cham to regulate its own body temp by moving around, there will be more surfaces for water droplets to accumulate to provide drinking water and humidity. A 12x12x25 cage is much too small. Animals need space to live, and one that is crammed into a small area is less active, frustrated, bored, and won't be nearly as healthy or interesting as one that can behave more normally. After all, the behaviors we want to observe in chams are the ones that take space...hunting for prey, shooting their tongues, climbing all through its habitat, etc.

If you can provide outdoor space that gets morning or afternoon sunlight but is shaded at the warmest time of day you should be OK without lighting. If you have a bushy shrub or small tree you could use it for a habitat by covering it with some sort of mesh or netting the cham can't get through. And, if there are flowers or fruit it will attract insects that your cham can eat. There are probably many wild insects a wild caught HI cham eats normally. Non-stinging flies, dull colored moths or butterflies (bright colors are warning that the bug is toxic or tastes bad), small spiders, roaches, crickets, superworms, other soft bodied grubs and larvae.

MBD is prevented by good nutrition and correct lighting. If your cham has access to "real" sunlight each day outdoors, and you gutload and dust your insects correctly this will all prevent MBD. Jax are sensitive to supplement dusts containing fat soluable vitamins. They do need daily calcium (without added vit D3) however. If you read through the forums's "basic care for chameleons" tab you will see recommended dusting and gutloading schedules.

 

[Devokid]

I have found that Jacksons seem to enjoy very large enclosures. If the cage is small, then they tend to sit in one place. However, if you provide them something bigger, like 30X30X50 or bigger, then they move around more and eat and drink better. If cost is an issue, then I would make my own.

If you are going to stick him outside, which I would recommend, there are a few precautions that need to be taken. I'm not sure where on Oahu you live, but in Kaneohe it gets too hot for them if you leave them in full sun. I would place the cage near a tree so that it never gets full sun.

One last think of note. I would pay attention to where your jackson came from. I say this because the chameleons that I have caught up high in the mountains seem to have a different color pattern and require much cooler temperatures. The ones that I caught down low seemed to be loving life outside, but the ones that came from the top of the mountains would search for the cooler spots in the cage and just sit there gaping.

 

[OahuJacksons]

you can provide outdoor space that gets morning or afternoon sunlight but is shaded at the warmest time of day you should be OK without lighting. If you have a bushy shrub or small tree you could use it for a habitat by covering it with some sort of mesh or netting the cham can't get through. And, if there are flowers or fruit it will attract insects that your cham can eat. There are probably many wild insects a wild caught HI cham eats normally. Non-stinging flies, dull colored moths or butterflies (bright colors are warning that the bug is toxic or tastes bad), small spiders, roaches, crickets, superworms, other soft bodied grubs and larvae.[/QUOTE]

Thank u so much man I just got them today and I don't wanna lose em I will build a larger cage for them as soon as I can. A 25x25x25 should be good for them right?

 

[Carlton]

you can provide outdoor space that gets morning or afternoon sunlight but is shaded at the warmest time of day you should be OK without lighting. If you have a bushy shrub or small tree you could use it for a habitat by covering it with some sort of mesh or netting the cham can't get through. And, if there are flowers or fruit it will attract insects that your cham can eat. There are probably many wild insects a wild caught HI cham eats normally. Non-stinging flies, dull colored moths or butterflies (bright colors are warning that the bug is toxic or tastes bad), small spiders, roaches, crickets, superworms, other soft bodied grubs and larvae.

Thank u so much man I just got them today and I don't wanna lose em I will build a larger cage for them as soon as I can. A 25x25x25 should be good for them right?[/QUOTE]

No, I think I said that 25x25x25 would be less than minimal. And, you wouldn't be able to house more than one per cage either. Chams don't "share" space well at all regardless of sex.

 

[OahuJacksons]

Right now I got 4 3month old Chams in a cage and they are doing well. I see no color changesthey have a nice color. I would post pic but I have no camera I'm using an ipad 1st gen.

 

[Carlton]

Right now I got 4 3month old Chams in a cage and they are doing well. I see no color changesthey have a nice color. I would post pic but I have no camera I'm using an ipad 1st gen.

If they are not posturing, competing for space, or subtly stressing each other now they soon will. Separate them, especially as they are in a completely new environment! That's a critical time to reduce stress.