Baby Jacksons growth

Here is a new picture of one of my male J. xantholophus. These guys were born on 12/16/2010. I've been photographing them against this grey background once a month or so to document their growth rates.

24 hours old,...



11 weeks old,...



22 weeks old- current

You just have to love those little guys. Those pictures are adorable. How many babies did your girl have? looks like you are doing a wonderful job with them. That guy looks excellent.

laurie said:

You just have to love those little guys. Those pictures are adorable. How many babies did your girl have? looks like you are doing a wonderful job with them. That guy looks excellent.

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Their mother was given to me by a forum member in my area who got her from Dixie Reptile show in Birmingham Al. There was a guy there from Hawaii that we 'assumed' was 'somehow' getting them from there to here. He would have a large, deep-freezer sized screened cage with anywhere from 30-40 of them ranging in size from 4-5" up to full grown adults. Most where not in great health at all. The forum member did a trade with him for a pair- when he got home from the show, the male was already dead in his cup. He said I could take the female because his intent was to try and breed them. She was only about 5-6" and was very thin (pelvis was showing, lethargic, etc.). To my surprise, 5 months later she gave birth to 2 males, 1 female. I would never have dreamed that she was capable of carrying young based on her size and condition, but it was a very small clutch. Mom is much better now-fat and well cared for. These little guys have been a complete joy- They are absolutely one of my favorite species. I don't know why they aren't more popular than they are. I love them.

Wow thanks for the time frame! I'm about to get a pair of these guys to broaden my collection!

Most see Jackson's as "common" at this point, and for some keepers, that makes them less appealing. This is a shame because I share your view that they are wonderful animals to work with. Ecologically speaking, the Hawaiian population is problematic for biologists and wildlife managers. To me, that makes them a good source for captives (but that's another thread....). I share your love of these guys and I am impressed by your commitment in your particular situation. Beautiful animals and Great job!

Thanks for the comments and thoughts.

The only reason I no longer have Jacksons is I am terrified of live birth. I really wanted to breed them and after I got them, I wimped out. How embarrassing.

Give me live birth over babysitting eggs for 8-12 months any day!!! No incubator, no worries about fluctuating humidity-momma does all that for you!!! Be a rebel and try it!!!

Monzon said:

Most see Jackson's as "common" at this point, and for some keepers, that makes them less appealing.

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I have to ask. Why are people still keeping pardalis and calyptratus? Unless I misunderstand the way you are using common.

Great job with the mother and the youngsters, Justin!!! Beautiful young male!! Those multituberculata are going to seem like a breeze compared to the jacksonii

Cainschams said:

I have to ask. Why are people still keeping pardalis and calyptratus? Unless I misunderstand the way you are using common.

Great job with the mother and the youngsters, Justin!!! Beautiful young male!! Those multituberculata are going to seem like a breeze compared to the jacksonii

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Like a breeze huh???? They have me a nervous wreck right now as I speak!!! Your judgement on that subject certainly eases my troubled mind, because so far (knock on wood), the Jacksons have been fairly non-problematic. Those multis are freaking me out with the egg/nest digging thingy. If you think they'll be a breeze, I'm feeling alot better about the whole deal,,, (But I've still got fingers crossed!) Thanks for all your advice bro!!!

Just had to stop in and look at your babies again.

Thought I'd share the love,... Girlies always seem to get overlooked in the chameleon world. Here are a few of the female from this litter. She is showing some awesome reds in her sides and sometimes, her entire eye turrets are deep red. Really beautiful. Mom looks nothing like this- hope she maintains it into adulthood.

You are killing me here! Stop with all the wonderful pictures. Those babies make me want to do a late night visit to your house and remove some of your extras. OK OK don't stop the pictures, I am addicted to them.

I almost gave her away. The forum member whom I got their mother from said to save him one when they were born. He has had to get rid of all of his chameleons, so he never did get her- boy am I glad. It would have killed me to see how nice she has turned out. She had a tongue problem when she was born and couldn't shoot it out. I had to literally hand feed her (Or should I say, 'finger-tip' feed her) for about 2 - 2 1/2 months. She slowly gained strength and has really come around. Hopefully jrh3 will be able to get back into chameleons when his schedule permits, and I plan on helping him out with supplies and specimins when he's ready.

Great job on those babies! Really makes me realize how much bigger & faster the xanths grow compared to the j.j.'s & the meru's. Its very hard to part with them when you have raised them from birth. Just want to make more room & keep them all. Love your pics !

Love the pics! I just got my jacksons a few weeks ago and he looks identical to your 11 week picture. I can't believe how fast he's going to grow!

just looked at this thread, such great chams, i love the horn developement pics he looks so nice, mnakes me want a jackson uh oh...

Ok, silly question, since I only have panthers...
do both the male and females have the horns? And about what age do they start to show?

Beautiful!

SonTigerPantherCham said:

Ok, silly question, since I only have panthers...
do both the male and females have the horns? And about what age do they start to show?

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Of the 3 subspecies, mine are J. j. xantholophus, and only the males have 3 full horns. The females will get a tiny rostral horn. Meromontanus females get one huge rostral horn and J. jacksoni females have all 3 like the males. At birth, I could tell the sexes of each, but they really start to show at about 6-8 weeks.