Strange Jackson activity
- Thread starter Jakescham
- Start date
luvbug237
Member
We suggest that you fill out the form so we know a better idea of your husbandry. Is your Jackson sleeping during the day?
https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/
Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - New Jackson I got it a week ago its a male. hes about 4ish months
Handling -I've handled him about twice since I got him.
Feeding - I feed him 8ish crickets a day but he doesn't eat them all. I gut load them with Total Feed cricket food or something.
Supplements - I use phos free calcium every other feeding and will do reptivite WITH D3 once or twice a month.
Watering - I mist the cage about 3 times a day, put ice cubes on the top a couple times and use a little dripper. I see him drink sometimes.
Fecal Description - It's fecal matter is brown with yellow(before I saw him drink I think he's drinking more now.)
Cage Info:
Cage Type - 18x18x24 exoterra terrarium
Lighting - I use a mini dome halogen 25 watt for heat and a reptisun 10.0 for UV
Temperature - The cool spot is a constant 70F I've been trying to figure out the basking temp it was too high Im trying to get it to 83 but its been a bit lower than that like 79.
Humidity - I use reptifogger several times a day and keep humidity between 50 and 80 percent.
Plants - I have a pot with some pothos and schefflera (with organic soil) but they are too small so I have a large fake fichus to fill up the space until they get larger.
Placement - It is in my bedroom no sun shines on it because my curtains are always closed. Its a low to medium traffic area.
Location - I live in Fort Collins Colorado
Current Problem - He is constantly trying to escape the cage and claws at the glass and then he just falls asleep right there on the ground then he tries to escape again and theres this cycle. I don't know if this is normal? he also opens his mouth a lot even when its not hot (at night). Please help!
Your Chameleon - New Jackson I got it a week ago its a male. hes about 4ish months
Handling -I've handled him about twice since I got him.
Feeding - I feed him 8ish crickets a day but he doesn't eat them all. I gut load them with Total Feed cricket food or something.
Supplements - I use phos free calcium every other feeding and will do reptivite WITH D3 once or twice a month.
Watering - I mist the cage about 3 times a day, put ice cubes on the top a couple times and use a little dripper. I see him drink sometimes.
Fecal Description - It's fecal matter is brown with yellow(before I saw him drink I think he's drinking more now.)
Cage Info:
Cage Type - 18x18x24 exoterra terrarium
Lighting - I use a mini dome halogen 25 watt for heat and a reptisun 10.0 for UV
Temperature - The cool spot is a constant 70F I've been trying to figure out the basking temp it was too high Im trying to get it to 83 but its been a bit lower than that like 79.
Humidity - I use reptifogger several times a day and keep humidity between 50 and 80 percent.
Plants - I have a pot with some pothos and schefflera (with organic soil) but they are too small so I have a large fake fichus to fill up the space until they get larger.
Placement - It is in my bedroom no sun shines on it because my curtains are always closed. Its a low to medium traffic area.
Location - I live in Fort Collins Colorado
Current Problem - He is constantly trying to escape the cage and claws at the glass and then he just falls asleep right there on the ground then he tries to escape again and theres this cycle. I don't know if this is normal? he also opens his mouth a lot even when its not hot (at night). Please help!
ridgebax1
Avid Member
I think you are keeping things a little to warm and the UVB may be too strong as most use a 5.0 UVB for chams. It could be that it is too hot and bright for him. I also think the cage is on the smallish side and they do best in a screen cage rather than glass. Here is the link to the care page for jackson's https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/jacksons/.
GrimsbyPatchwork
Member
keeping him in a glass enclosure is ok as long as there still no stagnant air in the enclosure ...is the top of the enclosure screen?
A 10.0 uvb light is ok and not too strong however considering the size of the enclosure it might sound like he does not have enough space where to hide from the uvb is he wants to regulate so he might be using the only place in the viv where he is not exposed to uvb ....I would suggest adding more foliage to part of the enclosure to create a shady spot away from the uvb and basking.
...you will definitely need a larger enclosure though as a restricted space might lead to stressing out your chams...
Jackson`s are great, I Love them ...great that you are showing concern as it shows that you care for him ...got any photos of him in his enclosure so that we can give you a few more pointers based on the enclosure ?
check out this vid its of great help > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKTbUaOQ0aA
A 10.0 uvb light is ok and not too strong however considering the size of the enclosure it might sound like he does not have enough space where to hide from the uvb is he wants to regulate so he might be using the only place in the viv where he is not exposed to uvb ....I would suggest adding more foliage to part of the enclosure to create a shady spot away from the uvb and basking.
...you will definitely need a larger enclosure though as a restricted space might lead to stressing out your chams...
Jackson`s are great, I Love them ...great that you are showing concern as it shows that you care for him ...got any photos of him in his enclosure so that we can give you a few more pointers based on the enclosure ?
check out this vid its of great help > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKTbUaOQ0aA
pigglett79
Avid Member
10.0 UVB is ok when you have a large heavily planted cage. He needs to be able to get out of it when he wants to. Also be sure the basking temp is around 82 as they don't like it too warm. You will definitely need a larger cage, my Jackson has a 20x30x48 and uses every inch. He also roams around the room in his free range in the afternoons. They are also sometimes more nervous so really appreciate lots of plants for cover. I don't have an issue w glass vs screen, just size.
If you could post pics of him and the set up that would be great.
Edit: opening mouth can also be sign of a respiratory infection. Do you see excess saliva or hear popping sounds?
If you could post pics of him and the set up that would be great.
Edit: opening mouth can also be sign of a respiratory infection. Do you see excess saliva or hear popping sounds?
Lathis
Chameleon Enthusiast
Definitely listen to these people - they have great experience and are giving you good info. When I was starting out, some of these same people were helping me with my new chameleon. They are very nice and want you to succeed!
I have a male Jax, too. He is VERY active. I had him in a 24x24x48 screen cage, and he used every inch of the enclosure. I made him a much larger cage and he seems to be much happier now. Jax need a lot of space, so ventilated vivarium or screen enclosure, very soon you will need to double his space. Time to safely free range to explore is also very welcome - my Jax is very curious about everything. He might be stressed about feeling "trapped" in a small space.
If he is sleeping during the day, that is a sign that he is ill. It could be any number of different infections, and you will need to take him to the vet. If he is breathing with his mouth open all the time, he could be too hot (glass enclosures can get much hotter inside than the screen cages with the same type of lights) or he could have a respiratory infection. It's easy to adjust the temperature to see if he still keeps his mouth open.
The 10.0 light might be too much for him in such a small cage. You can downgrade to the 5.0 of the same brand (in fact, I think you should until he has a much larger cage). I keep my basking spot only at about 86*F and the rest of the cage is around 70. That seems to be perfect for my Jax.
Pictures of your cage and enclosure would definitely help.
I have a male Jax, too. He is VERY active. I had him in a 24x24x48 screen cage, and he used every inch of the enclosure. I made him a much larger cage and he seems to be much happier now. Jax need a lot of space, so ventilated vivarium or screen enclosure, very soon you will need to double his space. Time to safely free range to explore is also very welcome - my Jax is very curious about everything. He might be stressed about feeling "trapped" in a small space.
If he is sleeping during the day, that is a sign that he is ill. It could be any number of different infections, and you will need to take him to the vet. If he is breathing with his mouth open all the time, he could be too hot (glass enclosures can get much hotter inside than the screen cages with the same type of lights) or he could have a respiratory infection. It's easy to adjust the temperature to see if he still keeps his mouth open.
The 10.0 light might be too much for him in such a small cage. You can downgrade to the 5.0 of the same brand (in fact, I think you should until he has a much larger cage). I keep my basking spot only at about 86*F and the rest of the cage is around 70. That seems to be perfect for my Jax.
Pictures of your cage and enclosure would definitely help.
Lathis
Chameleon Enthusiast
Go ahead and get the biggest size you can - 24 x 24 x 48. Save your 10.0 bulb because you can use it for the larger screen cage. Lots of plants, vines, and branches. The video above is great. I must have watched it a dozen times when I was setting everything up.
Don't hesitate to ask questions. We are here to help!
Lathis
Chameleon Enthusiast
Let him out of his cage to wander around.
Lathis
Chameleon Enthusiast
Yes!!! Just keep an eye on him and make sure he is safe.
Lathis
Chameleon Enthusiast
If he just opens and closes, then it might not be anything to worry about. My guy does this to express his displeasure sometimes. If its hanging open, he might be too hot. Keep an eye on him and see if he calms down.
The only times my Jax ever hisses is when I put him back up and he wants to explore.
Last edited:
Lathis
Chameleon Enthusiast
Now all he wants to do is get out
Mwa ha ha ha ha ha! I forgot to tell you about that...
