Recent content by Jaden

I agree with Fogerty about not feeding wild isopods (rolly pollies) because they accumulate heavy metals. However other wild caught bugs like grasshoppers, moths, and aphids can be a good addition to a chameleon's diet as long as they are collected in a pesticide free area. Jaden

I have a dripper on 12 hours a day and created a drainage system to deal with excess water. My drainage system is just 6 holes drilled around the base of a potted plant. Water runs down them and into a reservoir below. I also want to say that a dripper does not replace misting, it just gives...

I live in California too, and I've heard of some non native populations around the coast. I know for a fact that there are jacksonii xantholophus in Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo county, and I also know of rumors of them in Laguna Beach and San Diego. I think they are rare though and hard to find...

I agree, it very important to gutload. Especially if your only feeding crickets, your cham will not get any nutrients. As for handling, I've read it's good to start by hand feeding. Once you have him hand feeding, you can try to take your chameleon out with a stick. Gently tap his back leg onto...

You have a few errors in your husbandry. First, you will probably need to change your supplements. Most people suggest calcium no D3 daily, multivitamin twice a month, and calcium with D3 twice a month. Also, most commercial gutloads are not very good. If you don't gutload well, your cham might...

You might want to remove the night bulb. The chameleon will not really go to sleep without complete darkness. If the cage drops below 50 degrees at night, then you can use a ceramic heat emitter. Also, he might still get burned from the bulb, 98 is very high at the top of the cage. What would...

I believe the mesh is in there so crickets can move around. A chameleon might be more interested in eating something if it's moving. It is also so water does not pool in it and insects drown. If the water is deep enough, the chameleon might even drown. Jaden

Make sure that you repot it in organic soil. I think Home Depot puts pesticides in the soil and those aren't good for your chameleon. I can't wait to see pictures. I have a Jackson too and he loves his Schefflera. I hope Albert does well. Jaden

I think it is a cup with screen glued to the bottom like mine. Steve McNary showed me how to make it. Saldarya, it is great that so many Merus are being bred right now. She will probably make a great mom. Jaden

I'd suggest taking the substrate out of the cage. Wood chips can cause your chameleon to be impacted if he eats some. Many people who use a glass cage either use no substrate or organic soil. I you decide on organic soil, make sure the soil you get has no pieces to large. Also, I would add a...

Chameleons change color based on their mood and to thermoregulate. So if he is basking he may turn brown to absorb more heat, or he may turn nice colors if he is calm. He is probably turning green when hunting because he is excited. So unfortunately, there is no way to make your chameleon stay a...

Most people say to change the bulb every 6 months. However, I feel like the reptisun would last longer. You'd have to consult someone with UV meter to be sure though. Jaden

SoCal Soldier, As far as I know, the Arcadia lights are the best for UVB. Our sight sponsor sells Arcadia lights. I think they only need to be replaced once a year too. However, if you're not going to get Arcadia, Repti-sun is your best bet. Especially the T5HO. That is what I have and it seems...

You also might want to change your supplement schedule. Most people use three types of supplements, Calcium no D3, Calcium with D3, and a multivitamin. For a veiled or panther chameleon, I'd suggest supplementing with Calcium no D3 daily and Calcium with D3 as well as multivitamin twice a month...

I am curious if anyone here knows if it would be safe to bake branches from a Sycamore Tree. I noticed my chameleon lose his grip on a bamboo branch, so I thought other branches and sticks would not have the same problem. By the way he is an eight month old T. j. jacksonii.