Not sure if right thread but Dwarf jackson help?

CottonChameleon

New Member
Hi I was thinking about getting a Male dwarf jackson's chameleon. I have kept a panther and he is doing really well! But I thought it would be fun to get a tiny dwarf jackson's but it's really hard to find info about them. Adult panthers usually have a 24x24x48 cage but they only grow like 10 inches so would they want a smaller cage I already have one that he might like I think it's 16x16x20. I know the general stuff about chams so I don't really need generic advice. What i'm really asking for does anyone own these cute guys and have tips for keeping one? Or what you feed them because they're small and if they require different types of dusting because I know jackson's do. Basically any advice for these little guys to see if it's right for me.
 
I've kept them a couple of times. I keep them he way I keep veileds and panthers basically with the basking temperature in the low 80's F. I feed them mostly crickets but you can use other appropriately sized insects for them too. Some of the other insects some of them don't like....you just have to try to see what they will take.

She for supplementing...I do it like the veileds too...most feedings with phosphorous - free calcium powder, twice a month lightly with a phosphorous - free calcium D3 powder and twice a month with a vitamin powder that contains a beta carotene ( prOformed ) source of vitamin A. The actual products I used were Rep-Call calcium, calcium with D3 and Herptivite.

I gutload crickets, etc with greens such as collards, escarole, endive, dandelion greens, kale, etc and veggies such as carrots, sweet red pepper, squash, zucchini, sweet potato, etc.

I mist the cage at least twice a day and use a dropper too.

Hope this helps.
 
As far as I know, Jacksons can overdose on supplements, so I dust my feeders 3x weekly with phosphorus free calcium without d3, and then I use Repashy calcium plus twice a month.

I currently have my male meru in an 18x18x36" reptibreeze, and my female (sub adult) in a 16x16x30 reptibreeze. The bigger, the better as these guys can be pretty active. I've also heard that jacksons are picky when it comes to feeders, but my two will eat anything I put in front of them with gusto! So far they've had crickets, hornworms, waxworms and butterworms.

As far as watering, humidity and temps, Jacksons like it cooler and more humid. My critters live in my unfinished basement and have 3 sides of their enclosures tarped off to maintain humidity. I have a mistking set up and it goes off every 4 hours, 4x daily. First mist is for 5 mins, second for 4 mins, third for 3 mins and fourth for 2 mins. Their basking temp is around 82F and ambient is approx 76F. They also get a drop at night to around 64F. Montane species benefit from a significant temperature drop overnight.
 
I live in nj so our summer would be perfect for these guys do you think a male would be able to live in a 16x16x20 or should I upgrade to a 18x18x36 and cool so calcium no d3 3 days a week, then calcium with d3 twice a month? I will probably be getting an aquazamp raindome for my panther I wonder if a small meru would like one aswell? I was planning on getting small crickets and small silkworms
 
I personally think that a 16x16x20 would be too small for a jackson. My guy looks right at home in an 18x18x36, but it's heavily planted with live plants and I have tons of different sticks and vines for him to get around on.

Right now, my jacksons are eating 3/8" crickets as a staple, but only because I prefer them to 1/2". They'd easily be able to eat 1/2", so getting small crickets isn't really necessary. Silkworms would be fantastic and I'm sure he'd love them! Unfortunately for me, I haven't been able to get my hands on any silks yet so I can't tell you whether or not my two like them- although I imagine they would!

A raindome would be an amazing addition to a jackson enclosure! I've heard many other keepers say that their jacksons prefer those to automatic misters.
 
What I was actually thinking of doing with the old cage is cutting off the top screen and adding an extension to it made out of wood probably drilled into the frame of the metal then attaching whatever that screen is made out of to the walls. That way I don't have to drop 80$ on a new cage and it's got a home made feel to it. But yes I think a the little chap would really prefer drips and to the mistings from a bottle/machine. I was thinking of getting one from backwater reptiles, I have heard bad things happen from that place, but I have also heard from people on here that they order some reptiles from there with no problem. But if you guys know any other places that might have healthier ones available or a better reputation I would really appreciate it! :)
 
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