Question about horns
- Thread starter boosh96
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Lathis
Chameleon Enthusiast
They aren't horns in the same sense that animals like goats, cows, or sheep have "horns"; they are more like a specialized scale. I believe they are also vascular, so if one breaks, it will bleed.
I'm certainly not an expert in this, but I would think that calcium (while definitely important) isn't the main factor. I would expect overall nutrition, food availability, and general health to be the strongest influencers for Jax horn growth.
I would be really interested to know if someone has more info on this!
I'm certainly not an expert in this, but I would think that calcium (while definitely important) isn't the main factor. I would expect overall nutrition, food availability, and general health to be the strongest influencers for Jax horn growth.
I would be really interested to know if someone has more info on this!
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amanda509
New Member
I came to the conclusion it is overall nutrition, maybe different supplement brands, exposure to sunlight, etc. obviously a malnourished chameleon will not have as healthy a set of horns as a healthy one, but there are some cases where one who is healthy has unhealthy horns. its a game of chance.
for example, i had gotten my jacksons when he was 6-8 months old. his horns were only half grown, he was from flchams. i noticed after awhile, he developed a growth ring (equestrian enthusiasts, you know this one!) as you can see, you can clearly tell how long his horns were when i first got him, and how long they have grown because of the difference in supplements, nutrition, sunlight, etc, there is a clear ring which indicates the change
for example, i had gotten my jacksons when he was 6-8 months old. his horns were only half grown, he was from flchams. i noticed after awhile, he developed a growth ring (equestrian enthusiasts, you know this one!) as you can see, you can clearly tell how long his horns were when i first got him, and how long they have grown because of the difference in supplements, nutrition, sunlight, etc, there is a clear ring which indicates the change
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Psychobunny
Avid Member
Noogie was from FL chams also, and has the rings on his horns were there was a rapid rate of growth.
I don't know what it is that makes them grow, but his horns are really long.
They have also turned dark color from him always siting under the dripper and letting the water drip on his head and horns.
I don't know what it is that makes them grow, but his horns are really long.
They have also turned dark color from him always siting under the dripper and letting the water drip on his head and horns.
Yes, all of these are going to need to be balanced for appropriate growth in all aspects, including the horns. If there is a deficiency the horns may be stunted because there are more important areas for nutrients to be spent than on the horns. Rate of growth will affect it as well. And should anything happen to the horns during the growth phase like an injury, or even a strong bump, it can alter the shape. Even a very minor shape change in one tiny little area can alter the shape of the entire horn because everything that grows from that abnormal area will have an abnormal shape.
Lathis
Chameleon Enthusiast
Holy rostral, Batman! Look at that horn! I bet that brings all the ladies to the yard
My little guy is the same - there is a clear mark on his horns from where I adopted him (I like to tell myself this is because of improved care).That's really interesting. I've seen photos of Jax with very curved or asymmetrical horns and always wondered how that happened.
leedragon
Chameleon Enthusiast
this is really interesting, I have hear that bent horns is partially due bad nutricion, anyone who has experience on this one?
jackson captivity care should be low in powders and suplements but could it not be the reason of all those bend horns that captivity jakcsome show?
I saw a couple of years ago a thread of a guys merumontano had started to get bend horns so he use a straw or something on the horn for a while so the horn got a better shape when it grow further, anyone know which thread I am talking about?
jackson captivity care should be low in powders and suplements but could it not be the reason of all those bend horns that captivity jakcsome show?
I saw a couple of years ago a thread of a guys merumontano had started to get bend horns so he use a straw or something on the horn for a while so the horn got a better shape when it grow further, anyone know which thread I am talking about?
Seiryu
Established Member
My male Jacksons, Trident had straight horns for the longest time. I had him since he was roughly 2-3 months old. He eventually developed a temporal gland infection, and I think the stress of that and treatment actually caused his horns to not grow straight.
He ate as usual through everything. Now his are not bent way sideways by any means. But you can see where near the tip they started to go a little sideways.
So TridentJuvie1 pic. He was gosh, roughly 8-10 months old? Notice how straight they were.
The other 2 were from about 4-5 months ago soon after Treatment stopped. You can see where his horns started to bend a bit.
He ate as usual through everything. Now his are not bent way sideways by any means. But you can see where near the tip they started to go a little sideways.
So TridentJuvie1 pic. He was gosh, roughly 8-10 months old? Notice how straight they were.
The other 2 were from about 4-5 months ago soon after Treatment stopped. You can see where his horns started to bend a bit.
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amanda509
New Member
i wish i still had my jacksons so i could do that....deff an experiment when i get another! ill deff keep a log! thanks for the idea
