7 week old jackson chameleon

[ba354]

This is my chameleon it is NOT wild caught. Oddly it is only eating 2 crickets a day which seems very low. The cage is kept humid (my Monsoon rainfall system is coming in tomorrow) I have a UVB light and a nylon mesh cage. Right now I am using the composite humidity soil to use as the substrate and have all plastic plants. I am hopefully gonna get some real plants tomorrow just not sure where to find them where they arent treated with pest control. My chameleon randomly lays on the bottom of the cage and I'm not sure why because they normally like it very high up. It seems happy to me. Is there anything specifically I should be doing? Like a said Jackson chameleon about 7-8 weeks, male, cage dimensions are 15x15x24 for now will get bigger as the chameleon ages. cage is completely mesh plenty of foilage and branches. Temperatures during the day kept at around 75-80 and 85 in the basking area, 65-75 at night depending on the night and I spray the cage 3 or 4 times a day because I live in desert climate so It's naturally very dry. any tips? this is my first reptile.

 

[thephotoprincess]

He is much older than 7 or eight weeks. Did you mean 7 or 8 months?

How long are you spraying/misting? They need long mistings of several minutes to drink, not just a spray to wet down the cage. I mist mine for 10 minutes a couple times a day and have a humidifier in the room to control humidity as needed.

 

[camimom]

i would reduce the basking temp. they like cooler temps/

How old is your uvb?

and as was stated. he is far from 8 weeks old.

 

[Solid Snake]

Welcome to Chameleon Forums!

We are super glad to have you and your little guy here with us.


Your basking temp is fine, in my opinion, depending on how large an area is being heated to 85F. You only want a very small airspace heated to that temp, at the very top, in a corner preferably.

Living in the desert really sucks. ;/

When trying to keep RH levels appropriate for a humidity loving species such as a jackson, it really, really really sucks. ;/

No fear! There are many ways to keep it nice and comfy for him, that are relatively simple.

You can cover 2-3 sides of the enclosure with plastic sheeting, like drop cloth or shower curtain material. This will still allow airflow, but keep RH levels higher, longer.

Foggers, or cool mist humidifiers, or whatever youd like to call them, can be utilized as well.

The best thing you can do for humidity, is to get some live plants. A pothos would be a good place to start with plants.

Here are a few links with information I think you will find useful:


https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/hoj/634-montane-chameleon-care-info.html


(note that the comments section of this video, seen when viewed on youtube, has lots of extra info!)
If you have any questions after reviewing them (you should) please ask them!

Again, welcome to CF, its great to have you here.

 

[Psychobunny]

Nice looking fella you have there!

Here is something you MUST do for him;
get one of the cheap cool mist humidifiers from Walmart or other discount outlet. Make sure it has a forward and front mounted mist nozzle.
I recommend using filtered or distilled water only. That way you wont have to worry about having to clean it every few days, and your cham wont breath any micro organisms.

Put it on the side of the cage with the nozzle right up against the mesh and turn it on high enough to get nice clouds of mist into the cage.

Your jack will LOVE it!!

Mine parks himself right in front of it, closes his eyes, and really really enjoys it.
Also, they dont need as high a basking temp as a veild or panther, so a 40 or 50W incan bulb is plenty.

 

[Miss Lily]

I have to agree with the others on the most part, but your temps sound ok to me, although I try not to let mine get up any higher than 82 or he just sits with his mouth open. Yours looks to be about the same age as mine - like the others have said, he is more like 8 months than 8 weeks. His age would also explain why he is eating less. Males of most species have a decrease in appetite at around the 7 - 8 months age. Mine has done exactly the same. In fact, I posted a thread about appetites the other day. I was told that a couple of insects every other day is normal for these guys. check out my thread: https://www.chameleonforums.com/jackson-males-appetites-85406/#post801160

 

[ba354]

Thank you so much everyone! And months is what I meant but how much bigger will he get? I'm being told they get about a foot long and he is only about 6 inches right now? I definitely will go get a humidifier and place it in the room by the cage. I really want live plants but don't know a good place to get them where they aren't covered in pesticides. Any suggestions? Especially in Tucson, AZ if you know of any for all you desert dwellers. Thanks again for all the suggestions.