Cage building question for female jackson's

[Casketmaker]

I just picked up a pair of breeder Jackson's and need to build a cage. Since they have live birth I was wanting to find out if 1/4" coated wire material would be OK to use since the babies are so small. I breed boas so this is my first attempt at chameleons. I had a veiled about 10 years ago and have wanted chameleons ever since but my boa projects kept me to busy. Now I'm moving away from the boas and want to try something new.
Thanks in advance for any and all help.

 

[mcleodschams]

yes that should be fime i just use the aluminum window screen

 

[Solid Snake]

Hello!
Welcome to Chameleon Forums.
We are glad you have found us.

I have never seen a baby jackson first hand, but I believe that will be fine.

That said, when they give birth, you will need to remove the babies immediately, as they are likely to be eaten by the mom.

Its generally not a good idea to house males and females together either.(just FYI)

Here is an excellent video on jackson chameleon care, made by fellow member Jdog1027. I would recommend any jackson owner watch it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKTbUaOQ0aA&feature=g-user-c&context=G25967f8UCGXQYbcTJ33YOjjcnP7N3zVx9ElNlUn2sbX39EjUjO2o

Please feel free to ask any and all questions you may have!

Again, welcome to CF!

 

[mcleodschams]

right babies need their own enclosure as the parents will eat them also jakson supplimenting is different and they are alot more wet habitat then most i believe thay are best housed separate also welcome to the forum this is a great place for info on any chameleon related questions there are alot of very knoledgable owners here enjoy hope we helped and continue to be of help

 

[Casketmaker]

Thanks for the help and I will watch that video in a few minutes. I am planning on making a cage that is 2' deep X 4' wide X 3' tall with a solid divider in the middle so the Jackson's can't see each other. I was just going to use metal window screen but I read a couple places where people warn that the chameleon toe nails can get stuck in it or it can cut their feet so it looks like the 1/4" coated wire would be the best. Since warm weather is here and stores are putting out their plants it shouldn't be hard to get them some nice plants to hang out on.

Does anyone have an opinion on the repti-glo 5.0 cfl type bulbs? I have lots of clamp lights around so it seems to me that they would be the easiest uvb to install.

 

[Solid Snake]

Thanks for the help and I will watch that video in a few minutes. I am planning on making a cage that is 2' deep X 4' wide X 3' tall with a solid divider in the middle so the Jackson's can't see each other. I was just going to use metal window screen but I read a couple places where people warn that the chameleon toe nails can get stuck in it or it can cut their feet so it looks like the 1/4" coated wire would be the best. Since warm weather is here and stores are putting out their plants it shouldn't be hard to get them some nice plants to hang out on.

Does anyone have an opinion on the repti-glo 5.0 cfl type bulbs? I have lots of clamp lights around so it seems to me that they would be the easiest uvb to install.

I havnt used those bulbs, but many people do, and say they work fine.
Reptisun has a better "reputation" if you can find that instead.

The screen will hold humidity better, and keep feeders in as well.

For an indoor permanent setup, I would recommend using screen.

From the same awesome guy:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnNl5IMXFCI&feature=relmfu

 

[Casketmaker]

My Jacksons came in yesterday. They are a little skinny and were showing lots of stress but after I unpacked them and got them in temp homes (while I build Jdog cages) they started to calm down the male started to show a lot of blue in his head and 2 of the females went to a more a lime green color instead of the dark stressed out look that they had. When I got them I put them in my reptile room to warm them up (ambient temp of 85) after they got warmed up and had a little drink I moved them into my bedroom where it stays about 75 because some heat from the snake room radiates into my room. They are undisturbed except for the times I go up there and spray them or when I go to bed.

I ordered 2 48" reptisun 5.0 bulbs that will be shared by 5 cages. I already have the clamp lights for the top heat. Going to walgreens for a cool sonic mist humidifier today but really need to find a cheap temporary misting system. I'm going to have to wait on a good misting system for a couple weeks so if anyone has a good idea for an easy drip system or something that I can make I would appreciate the help.

I bought all the stuff on jdogs list and it cost me $86 at Home Depot. I'm sure a 25' roll of screen will do more than one cage but everything else is just enough for the one cage. When I make the next one I will have to check with Lowes to see if their prices are lower. I live in a small town and its a 40 mile drive to these stores so really if you add $20 for gas the cage is quite expensive. LOL

 

[camimom]

I built two cages, one is 2x2x4, one is 2x2x3.

I bought 25 ftx 48 in aluminum screen, and i still have plenty left over.

I use big drippers (thats the name)
and a mistking system (not cheap, but totally worth it)

 

[Casketmaker]

I made a few errors like pulling the screen too tight on the door (oops) but all in all it looks pretty good. I haven't been able to find any real plants that I like so I started with some fake stuff. I have added more since these pic's were taken.


Untitled by casketmaker1, on Flickr


Untitled by casketmaker1, on Flickr

 

[Casketmaker]

My new jackson chameleon by casketmaker1, on Flickr

 

[laurie]

Hello casketmaker, welcome to the forum, sorry I must have missed your first thread. Nice looking jacksons. looks like you are starting out well by learning what they need.

Do you by chance live Batesville, IN ?

 

[Casketmaker]

No I live in Keokuk,Ia. I love these little guys but it appears that the guy I bought them from shipped me one that is gravid so now I have more reading to do. she has gotten bigger since she arrived and she is staying mostly black. Still eating good so hopefully she will hold off on birth until I can figure out what to do with the babies when they are born.