Caught Jacksons Crossing Road in Maui - Need Help

[drpicklo]

Hello all - I'm new to the forum and a life-long chameleon enthusiast (now 33). I recently moved to Maui, and in driving through the up country I saw a full-grown, male J. Cham. attempting to cross the road at 3pm HST. There was a huge truck about 500 ft behind me, so I quickly pulled over, grabbed him and let him ride home on my shoulder.

At the time, he seemed okay, so I stopped by a pet store, got a 24x24x48 enclosure, a rinsed-off house plant, a few hibiscus twigs and were set up in an hour. If he was okay I was going to put him back, but I think he left his tree for a reason (maybe territory war).

He was pretty slow in reacting relative to my previous experience, and for a wild animal wasn't shy at all, so I'm wondering what caused him to leave his tree and attempt to cross the road, and now he has lost steam and is sleeping a lot, although he is still fairly colorful in dark green with lighter green blotches. He closes his eyes at times, but if I handle him he will open them up and crawl around on my hands, but once comfortable will go back to sleep.

I have misted him, put the plant in a humid bathroom and have left him with meal worms (will get crickets once those are gone).

So in all, quite a mystery with this one. Any thoughts?

 

[Xenti]

hmm maybe some one realeshed him.

Poor Jackson!

 

[ataraxia]

Hi, you may want to try this. https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/ataraxia/594-shower-chamber-treatment.html

Then, i would take his very next feces to a vet for analysis of parasites.

 

[junglefries]

As much as it pains me to say this. i know you just got him a setup and all. maybe, release him back and nature do its thing. he could be a release or he could be upset at being now wild caught. i would suggest, releasing him and purchasing a cb jax from your local store. it is official. i have now become that user on this site, who lectures everyone. gotta go, i need some prozac or something. so this can sink in. never did i want to become this.

 

[nightanole]

My sister lives on the big island. Them things cross the road all the time. I dont know whats on the other side of the street. I should ask the local wolliebears why they all cross the street (one going one way, one going the other) in the fall.

 

[SaintJimmy]

As much as it pains me to say this. i know you just got him a setup and all. maybe, release him back and nature do its thing. he could be a release or he could be upset at being now wild caught. i would suggest, releasing him and purchasing a cb jax from your local store. it is official. i have now become that user on this site, who lectures everyone. gotta go, i need some prozac or something. so this can sink in. never did i want to become this.

You don't have to become this.

You can just suggest "Hey, I think maybe this jackson's was wild. It would be best to let him go eventually, rather than keeping him cooped up in a cage" rather than "I wish I didn't have to force you, but you have to".

It's all up to the keeper.

There is a good chance this chameleon is not wild caught, due to the mild temperament described, but who knows.

I would keep it for a while, see how it does, and if it is healthy and happy, woo you got yourself a free cham. If it is unhappy in that enclosure for a time that usually it would adjust to you, then I guess you could let it go.

No one is forcing you to do anything.

 

[laurie]

True, I am not forcing you. That said it is very difficult to get wild caught chams to adjust to cage living. Most likely the reason he was friendly was he had no reason not to be. He did not know cages exist. Living in Hawaii I am sure you are aware of the large number of wild Jackson's. I also think your best move would be to release him back into the wild. If you can take him back to the area he came from, even better.JMO

 

[dom1959]

You don't have to become this.

You can just suggest "Hey, I think maybe this jackson's was wild. It would be best to let him go eventually, rather than keeping him cooped up in a cage" rather than "I wish I didn't have to force you, but you have to".

It's all up to the keeper.

There is a good chance this chameleon is not wild caught, due to the mild temperament described, but who knows.

I would keep it for a while, see how it does, and if it is healthy and happy, woo you got yourself a free cham. If it is unhappy in that enclosure for a time that usually it would adjust to you, then I guess you could let it go.

No one is forcing you to do anything.

why would you even bother to write this... "
There is a good chance this chameleon is not wild caught, due to the mild temperament described, but who knows. " this adds nothing to the conversation and you really have nothing to base the statement on...

 

[fuzzhc]

I know alot of reptiles will close their eyes as a defense mechanism or to pretend youre not there, just a thought

 

[teejayteej]

ok ..it is said on here that chams never close there eyes during the day? Now we are saying that they do?? confused??
My question is do you have lights on him heat and such?? pictures of enclosure and Cham would help

 

[christyj637]

My sister was just in Maui and texted me a pic of her holding a Jackson, she said that it was really friendly, the gardener at the condo was working and found him on the road and let my sister hold him. She let him walk up her arm onto a tree and off he went.

 

[ridgebax1]

Hi welcome to the forums; It could be a pet that escaped or was released. I say this because you said it rode home on your shoulder. Would a wild cham do that? It was nice of you to rescue him from the road so he would not get hit by a car or truck. Everything I have read on the forum suggests it is abnormal for a cham to sleep during the day. If his eyes are closed only when you try to interact with him maybe it is a defensive reaction, but if he is sleeping he may not be well. He could have parasites so if you do keep him be committed to keeping him healthy and get that checked out. If you think he is pining to be let go that decision is entirely up to you. Maybe he could live in a tree near your house or apartment? Whatever you chose, I hope it turns out to be the best for the chameleon and maybe the start of an addictive hobby

 

[Tay And A]

I don't reccomend keeping him. You never know what kind if diseases or parasites he could have. I would hate to see you get an emotional connection to him and he then pass away

 

[Chris Anderson]

Jackson's chameleons were introduced to Hawaii in the 1970s and have since have been spread to many of the Hawaiian islands, many of which have very large feral populations. This species is generally a much shier and gentler species than either the Panther or Veiled chameleon that most people are used to, so the fact that it was timid rather than aggressive and didn't freak out is not surprising, even for a chameleon that almost undoubtedly was not itself a captive at any point. These shier species will often simply try to be still, slowly slink away, and slowly retreat behind an object in hopes you won't see it. Other times they simply don't seem worried about people in the same way as either panthers or veileds.

As for why he is closing his eyes during the day, as was previously alluded to, chameleons will often close their eyes and basically sleep when stressed. Obviously being picked up on the road and put into a cage is going to be stressful. You also didn't mention anything about lighting for your enclosure, which if not appropriate, could be a contributing factor.

I personally don't like the idea of you rereleasing the chameleon. They are an introduced species that doesn't belong there, have been documented as preying on endangered Hawaiian endemics, and while a single animal is not going to make a dent in the population as a whole, its also one less in that population. I would just try to make sure your setup is correct, see if he has any injuries, etc., and try to keep him.

If you post photos of your setup and the chameleon itself, we can help you figure out what you need to do to make him more comfortable.

Chris

 

[drpicklo]

He was doing better after a couple days so I released him into an isolated garden - seems to be doing well.

I think the veiled chameleons on Maui are the real threat, as they are large enough to eat birds, etc. The lavender farmers love the Jacksons as natural pest control.

 

[Tyaeda]

Without a vet, you may never know what's wrong with him, especially since he's from outside. You don't know if he was abandoned or not. You don't know what he ate while outside. It sounds like he may be stressed, but I'm not a vet, and have no idea what your husbandry is setup like.

Jacksons are not native to Maui, and were only introduced in 1970's. I'm not sure what negative impact that has on Maui's ecosystem, however I would definitely research this, and the legalities more before releasing him - if you choose to do so.