chak
Member
Hi, I don't know if this should go here but I've had my Jackson's chameleon for nearly three years and today I randomly found him passed away in his enclosure. I could tell by the smell. But his colour looked fine, if I didn't smell anything I wouldn't of guessed or thought.
His name was Barnaby and he was the sweetest... I got him from a reptile expo and he seemed very healthy and had no issues with anything from what I could see. I made sure to do a lot of research before and after I got him, and I improved his enclosure over time. He had a lot of live plants, but a few fake ones for him to climb on. I rarely handled him, because he didn't seem to enjoy it, but I would get him out to clean his enclosure. He ate mostly crickets but would have hornworms as treats. We'd dust them with repticalcium, and we'd dust every other day. He was misted every hour for about 10 minutes. His droppings looked fine and he was tested for parasites when we first got him.
He was in a screen cage, I forgot the dimensions. It's very humid and hot in my room, about 85 degrees F at the moment, and then there was his heat lamp.. is it possible he got too hot?
About two weeks ago he started getting darker and struggled with getting around, but I just assumed he forgot he could go on the screen so I added more branches which helped. Then he was fine, back to his normal colour. There was no indication he was ill, but I know they tend to hide that. I am in Ohio and there was a very sudden temperature change (from low 60s to high 80s, although I don't think it affected my room that much so I don't think that's related). I'm just so surprised that this happened. I haven't processed it yet, but I miss looking over and seeing him bask or walking around. He had a nightly routine and would be asleep by 9 PM and I always found it funny. I just miss him. I guess writing this has finally made me realize he's gone. I had played around with the idea of getting another chameleon but now that he's passed I'm not too sure. He was so beautiful. I can't think of anything else to add but if there's any more information needed, please ask.
I guess I'm just looking for some idea as to why he's gone. I thought I was doing things right.
His name was Barnaby and he was the sweetest... I got him from a reptile expo and he seemed very healthy and had no issues with anything from what I could see. I made sure to do a lot of research before and after I got him, and I improved his enclosure over time. He had a lot of live plants, but a few fake ones for him to climb on. I rarely handled him, because he didn't seem to enjoy it, but I would get him out to clean his enclosure. He ate mostly crickets but would have hornworms as treats. We'd dust them with repticalcium, and we'd dust every other day. He was misted every hour for about 10 minutes. His droppings looked fine and he was tested for parasites when we first got him.
He was in a screen cage, I forgot the dimensions. It's very humid and hot in my room, about 85 degrees F at the moment, and then there was his heat lamp.. is it possible he got too hot?
About two weeks ago he started getting darker and struggled with getting around, but I just assumed he forgot he could go on the screen so I added more branches which helped. Then he was fine, back to his normal colour. There was no indication he was ill, but I know they tend to hide that. I am in Ohio and there was a very sudden temperature change (from low 60s to high 80s, although I don't think it affected my room that much so I don't think that's related). I'm just so surprised that this happened. I haven't processed it yet, but I miss looking over and seeing him bask or walking around. He had a nightly routine and would be asleep by 9 PM and I always found it funny. I just miss him. I guess writing this has finally made me realize he's gone. I had played around with the idea of getting another chameleon but now that he's passed I'm not too sure. He was so beautiful. I can't think of anything else to add but if there's any more information needed, please ask.
I guess I'm just looking for some idea as to why he's gone. I thought I was doing things right.