Jackson Chameleon not moving

I just got my Jackson Chameleon Sunday night and he has been in the habitat I set up for him ever since. When i first got him he climbed all the way to the ceiling of the cage and hung upside down which worried me because I thought he was going to fall. But today he hasn't been moving or drinking at all. He has gone back and fourth maybe about 6 inches total. I have heard lots of stories where people couldn't get their pet to stay alive and I am worried that I am doing something wrong.. HELP!



Your Chameleon - Jackson's chameleon
Handling - Just got him 2 days ago, so have only handeled him to get in and out of the box
Feeding - small crickets put into his cage
Supplements - havent given any yet
Watering - I have a continuous dripper, and i mist his cage about 5 times a day .


Cage Info:

Cage Type - All screen cage, 18x18x36in.
Lighting - 5.0 Reptisun UVB bulb and 75 W basking light.
Temperature - It's been hard to measure accurately, but I think it's roughly 8- in the hottest part and down to 70 in the unlighted areas.
Humidity - perfect
Plants - No live plants, just fake ones.
Placement - On a dresser in bedroom
Location - Michigan

Hello and welcome to the forum!
You've come to the right place for good information on chameleons since there are many knowledgeable people here.
Merlin is such a handsome fellow!

In the picture it looks like he is sleeping.
Is he sleeping or keeping his eyes closed during the daytime at all?

How warm is the room that his cage is in?

I ask because a 75watt bulb very often makes enclosures too warm for Jackson's chams.
The hottest part of his cage should be a basking spot directly below the basking bulb and it should not be warmer than 85 degrees.
Jackson's need temperatures that are a bit cooler than what many other cham species prefer.
Many people use a digital infrared thermometer like this one, to accurately measure temperatures in the cage:
http://www.amazon.com/Kintrex-IRT04...act+infrared+thermometer+with+laser+targeting
I think that Home Depot and Lowe's have similar ones.

Jackson's are often a bit shy and like plenty of leaves to hide behind.
Adding another plant or two so he isn't "on display" will help him to feel more secure.

Jackson's do like high humidity ranging from about 60% to 80% and your misting might be providing that or it might not.
Without anything to actually measure the humidity, the air in his cage may be much drier than you believe it is.

It can take 4-5 minutes of continuous misting for some chameleons to actually begin drinking and Jackson's often fall into that category.

Here is an excellent Jackson's caresheet which may answer some other questions for you:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/jacksons/

In the picture he's sleeping...the rooms at 80 at the basking and 70 anywhere else.

But I will try to get more plants


thank you!

What is your lighting schedule?