Question about my jacksons male

[RobandNik2014]

So I'm completely new to raising a chameleon. I have done tons of research and made sure my set up was adequate before I bought my jacksons male to make sure he would be comfortable when he got to his new place. So I've had him almost a week now and he is eating good. I've never seen him drink. He is 8 months old and is eating 4 or 5 crickets a day. He is black most of the time. Unless he is eating or sleeping. He is very active. But sometimes sits at the top of the cage with his mouth open. The temp at the basking area is 78-85 degrees. And the rest of the cage never gets below 68. He is in a large reptibreeze and has plenty of vine and plant work along with a dripper system. Plus I spray the cage 5-6 times a day or more. The humidity level varies between 80-95. My question is, is he turning black to bask in the sun ? Why is his mouth open ? Is it too hot ? He doesn't do it all the time.

 

[leedragon]

So I'm completely new to raising a chameleon. I have done tons of research and made sure my set up was adequate before I bought my jacksons male to make sure he would be comfortable when he got to his new place. So I've had him almost a week now and he is eating good. I've never seen him drink. He is 8 months old and is eating 4 or 5 crickets a day. He is black most of the time. Unless he is eating or sleeping. He is very active. But sometimes sits at the top of the cage with his mouth open. The temp at the basking area is 78-85 degrees. And the rest of the cage never gets below 68. He is in a large reptibreeze and has plenty of vine and plant work along with a dripper system. Plus I spray the cage 5-6 times a day or more. The humidity level varies between 80-95. My question is, is he turning black to bask in the sun ? Why is his mouth open ? Is it too hot ? He doesn't do it all the time.

he may be stress out, post pictures of the enclosure

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

 

[JamesBryan]

Humidity doesn't need to be that high all the time, it should peak at about that but then drop down to around 60% as well.

Too much could cause a respiratory infection.

 

[johnnyev]

Your minimum cage temp is also quite high for a montane species.

 

[JamesBryan]

Baby/juvenile (<9 months): 70-75F ambient, 75-80F basking
Adult: 70-80F ambient, 82-85F basking

If it's an adult, then it's about right. Too high for a juvenile though.

 

[RobandNik2014]

After measuring the temp again. His basking area is about 78-82 degrees and the bottom area of the tank is around 68-75 degrees. He gets a lot of color when taken outside. I've only held him twice. But in the tank he stays black.

 

[RobandNik2014]

I attached a pic of the enclosure. The rock in the back is a dripper. And just ordered a monsoon system for mist. Plus I added a couple of live plants off the safe list to maintain humidity. The pic is sideways for some reason. But you can see the enclosure.

 

[leedragon]

I attached a pic of the enclosure. The rock in the back is a dripper. And just ordered a monsoon system for mist. Plus I added a couple of live plants off the safe list to maintain humidity. The pic is sideways for some reason. But you can see the enclosure.

yeah, you need a hole more plants, he may feel insecure

 

[kplatvoet]

When I moved my Jackson into her new cage she was dark for over a week - they do tend to not like people messing with their stuff- changing things but I would add some more cover for him- My jackson will eat from my hand no problem but gets dark if I clean her cage and don't put things back correctly
They also need a drop in temps at night - most problems with Jackson's that I have seen come from over supplementing and over heating especially night time - but as long as your following the care sheet for Jackson's
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/jacksons/
I wouldn't worry too much about him being a bit out of sorts until he gets settled in. As long as he continues to eat - he may not be drinking in front of you keep an eye out for urates and if they are white - your alright.
Keep the box & the receipt for your monsoon- some people have no problem with them- and people who have who keep boxes (not me) haven't had problems getting them replaced.

 

[jajeanpierre]

Regarding his open mouth--I think there are three usual reasons: Respiratory infection, over heating, defensive posturing. Maybe the experienced keepers can add to the list.

 

[leedragon]

Regarding his open mouth--I think there are three usual reasons: Respiratory infection, over heating, defensive posturing. Maybe the experienced keepers can add to the list.

**** yes, how could O have missed that,you are right? do you hear any sounds when he has his mouth open?

 

[johnnyev]

Your minimum cage temp is also quite high for a montane species.

I don't think i made my post clear, or interpreted the original post, after reading it again. I was referring to night time temps, think Rob&Nik, mean't daytime temps never drop below 68?

 

[RobandNik2014]

I don't think i made my post clear, or interpreted the original post, after reading it again. I was referring to night time temps, think Rob&Nik, mean't daytime temps never drop below 68?

The night time temps drop to around 67-68 degrees. So it for sure cools off at night. I added a couple of live plants to the mix. But they aren't real big. I took him outside yesterday and he turned green. It was a nice day and I took him out for some natural Rays. I think it was getting to hot so I elevated the light fixture about 2 inches above the cage. Now the basking spot is around 82 degrees or so max. I hope the monsoon works cause with a spray bottle and a dripper its hard to keep the humidity up with a screened cage. With the cage hanging from the ceiling it's hard to mount a humidifier or something to it.

 

[RobandNik2014]

I don't think i made my post clear, or interpreted the original post, after reading it again. I was referring to night time temps, think Rob&Nik, mean't daytime temps never drop below 68?

I hear no sounds when his mouth is open. Nothing at all. He doesn't do it all the time. Just every once in a while. I think he was getting to hot. He still eats well and drinks. His color is just dark.

 

[JamesBryan]

If you still struggle with humidity, I'd cover three sides of the cage which will help.

 

[JaxyGirl]

Jackson's chameleons don't need that much humidity. Should be around 40-60% tops. The humidity will rise when you water him and it should drop after and the enclosure should dry out completely until the next watering or harmful bacteria can build up.They need to be hydrated by drinking water which is different then getting water on their bodies or from the air by misting. In fact high humidity can cause disease and encourage bacteria growth. You need to make sure your cam is drinking from its dripper. My chams won't drink from a dripper and they hate being misted. I've tried all kinds and setups. I spray them directly with a small spray bottle on stream setting and I squeeze it in a way so the water coming out of the nozzle mimics light rain drops. In this way I squirt at their mouths and they will drink their fill. It might take a little training on your part but at least you will know how much he is actually drinking.

Also, Jackson's like cooler temps then other chams being a mountain species. So a basking spot that is around 80 degrees is ideal and should drop down at night when the lights are off. You could use a thicker branch as a basking area that is at a downward angle so your cham can spread out a bit and go to the top of the branch for more heat or lower for less.

He's probably black from stress. either from his new enclosure environment or he's dehydrated or too hot.

Is that him at the bottom area of the cage?

 

[RobandNik2014]

His basking area is around 80-82 degrees now. It drops to around 68 at night. The humidity rises when we spray the cage then drops. When I took that pic we hadn't picked him up yet. He is starting to get color. He actually likes to get sprayed with a warm mist. The guy at the pet store who knows all about "reptiles" said he is needed a 100 watt basking bulb. That is total BS cause he was way too hot. We are down to a 50 watt now and it seems to be perfect. He is starting to get color now but is eating and seems to be drinking. The dripper isn't real effective so I've ordered a monsoon system.

 

[kplatvoet]

I would try to go cooler at night.

 

[Bush baby]

My cham's basking area is about 75 and this is done by using a regular household 75 watt bulb. This same bulb is what heats the entire enclosure.

Since i have the enclosure in the basement, the lights off/ night time temps range from being in the 50's now (in the winter) and being in the 60's in the summer. This is perfect for a montane specie who appreciate a good temperature drop at night in order to sleep more soundly.

 

[RobandNik2014]

We are letting it go cooler at night now. He seems to be doing well. Except I haven't seen him drink. Not lately anyway. I have a dripper but he doesn't seem to respond to it. I'm hoping he will respond to the monsoon system.