Chameleon habbitats

[marticus]

Hello everyone my name is Chris I'm new to this site I have recently bought my girlfriend a male Jackson's Chameleon for our Anniversary. I do know a bunch about them but.
I need some input on the proper terrarium for our Jackson's Chameleon
Right now I have a exo-terra 18x18x24 Glass Terrarium. With compressed coconut husk for the bedding. I have one live Dracanea plant. I'm not sure if I spelled that right. I have a few fake vines and some fake plants as well. For heat I have a Zilla 50 watt incandescent black heat bulb and a Repti Glo 5.0 26 watt UVB bull. I also use two small zoo med heat pads one on the bottom and one on the back. The temp stays around 75-80 degrees and the humidity ranges from 60-90 %. If there is anything that anyone can recommend or let me know if this is sufficient please let me know

 

[Ace]

Welcome....and lets get started...


first remove the bedding...practicaly useless , if there is bugs on it an your cham eats it, then potential to choke...plus of wet , can cause bacteria growth...(you give water by a ddripper and misting spray).....not through a waterbowl....the lights well, i suggest to remove the black bulb and just use a regualr hardware bulb about 50-70 watts for heat, an the repti glo is fine ..5.0 correct? ..use the lights during the day and turn off at night..(12 hours on and 12 hours off) the ttemps seem good..jacksons like it coooler....and you post pics of your cham and your setup? please, it would b helpful for us to help you.....try an get more foilage, use pothos , ficus, umbrella plants, and hibiscus...are common and ok for the chams....if you have any questions, please dont hesistate to ask.....also i believe supplements shoudl be used "lighlty: for jacksons....you need calcium witout d3 powder(every other feeding), calcium w/d3, and multivitamins(twice a month) i believe.....hope this helps....and also what feeder bugs do you use?


i ont think you need heat pads...unless your place is really really cold...chams at night can sleep at 60 degrees F.

 

[marticus]

Ok cool what do you suggest for bedding. I feed it medium crickets and meal worms. I do have a drip system for drinking some say screened terrariums are better is this true or is it ok to use the glass one that I have. I do use a vitamin called Reptivite with D3 made by Zoo Med.

 

[DeviousMike]

Ok cool what do you suggest for bedding. I feed it medium crickets and meal worms. I do have a drip system for drinking some say screened terrariums are better is this true or is it ok to use the glass one that I have. I do use a vitamin called Reptivite with D3 made by Zoo Med.

No bedding is necessary. Just line with newspaper or paper towels

 

[marticus]

Ok cool what do you suggest for bedding. I feed it medium crickets and meal worms. I do have a drip system for drinking some say screened terrariums are better is this true or is it ok to use the glass one that I have. I do use a vitamin called Reptivite with D3 made by Zoo Med.

 

[marticus]

Would a foger be ok to keep humidity levels

 

[Ace]

What DeviousMike said....and for beginners, i suggest to use screen cages...cause of the thing about controlling heat temps....my suggestion is get a screen cage...an i suggest not to use your supplement ffor chams...

i use (for jacksons dont use supplements alot: use lightly on the bugs)
repcal with d3 (2x month)
repcal without d3(every other feeding)
herptivite mutlivitamin(2x month)

i suggest to not use mealworms alot, can cause impaction(too much shell not alot of meat)...but superworms are ok, and try different bugs like silkworms, hornworms, mantids, flies, roaches, and of course crix...make sure to gutload your bugs with healthy veggies an fruits EXCEPT (tomatoe, spinach, and broccoli)-these are ba for the chams..has todo with the absortion of d3, i believe, but use kale, colard greens, dandelion, bell peppers, carrots, etc...appeles, melon, etc...hope this helps

 

[Ace]

Would a foger be ok to keep humidity levels

some people use it, but In my opinion you dont need it...live plants, misting, and dripper should keep humidity levels up....

 

[marticus]

Yeah I am purchasing the 24x24x48 screened cage. Thank you for the advise on the vitamins. People say that the glass is ok because they keep the humidity levels but I heard the screens were better.

 

[Ace]

Yeah I am purchasing the 24x24x48 screened cage. Thank you for the advise on the vitamins. People say that the glass is ok because they keep the humidity levels but I heard the screens were better.

not really...glass terraniums are actually great for montaine species like jacksons, but you have to know what you are doing

i suggest screen cages for mostly everyone new or less experienced....alot of people have great success with the terraniums without problems in the UK...but since i live in California an i like to move things aroun , screen cages are better for me...

 

[marticus]

Im afraid if i were to go with the screen I will have trouble keeping the temp and humidity right. I think if i use the glass and get rid of the bedding and use paper towels He should be ok. the temp and humidity in the glass has been really easy to maintain.

 

[Ace]

Im afraid if i were to go with the screen I will have trouble keeping the temp and humidity right. I think if i use the glass and get rid of the bedding and use paper towels He should be ok. the temp and humidity in the glass has been really easy to maintain.

go for it then...my advice is to find an exotic vet near you..just in case..not a normal vet....you never what mite happen, and i know the forums can help, but just in case..keep a good vet in mind...you shouldnt have any trouble if the temps are easy to control...

 

[marticus]

Thanks for the advise and the info you've been very helpful