jackson advice

[n00breptivite]

hello my name is heather and i am new to this place. i have just aquired a female jackson chameleon and i was wanting some advice on some things or questions answered. but first let me tell you a little about this girl,( i have yet to name her) she is about 6-8+ months old and i got her from a petstore she had been there for a very long time. though before i got her i railed them with questions about their care of her, about how they did her diet, watering ect. but they where not that helpful ( as per usual). i checked her out for parasites on her skin, to see if she was properly hydrated, and in all around good healy. i have had a veiled chameleon before but that was a long tilme ago. i still have some of the things i used but i do know i dont have all the thing that she requires. here are the things that i have for her.

habitat: 16X16X20 retpabreeze cage, retapvite w/ d3, 50 watt uva bulb/ lamp, little dipper, pothos plant, large log, bendable vine.

oh and before i forget the questions:
do i need anything else for her light? or for the night? ( i live in alaska)
what supplement schedual should i keep?
what kind of diet would be best for her?
when and how offten should she be misted? should i get a automatic mister?

i would love some personal experiance advice! please and thank you!

 

[n00breptivite]

i have photos of this beauty

 

[Solid Snake]

Hello Heather
Welcome to the forum! Im glad you are here!
I started with a female jackson, they are wonderful animals
I am going to link you to another forum members video.
Jdog covers alot of great information in this video, and Im sure you will find it helpful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKTbUaOQ0aA&lc=UTGbx56R2goFVAUNNel7eLeP-FMIdMzapFkjhSVZJWY&context=G2fc8d81FAAAAAAAADAA&feature=g-all-c

To answer a few of your questions directly:
I recomend a larger cage soon. I use a 2x2x4 but you could go a bit smaller(like 18x18x36)

You will need a UVB light. Linear 5.0 reptisun or reptiglo is recommended.
No light at night whatsoever. If your temps in the room the animal is housed in fall below 50F use a ceramic heat emmitter for heat.

Jacksons are very touchy when it comes to supplements. I recently experienced a supplementation issue, and recomend you follow the advice in the vid for supplements and nutrition.
Jacksons like it cool and wet.

Watch the video, and ask any other questions. I would love to see pictures of her, and her current setup!

My best advice is to ask ALL the questions you may have.

 

[Solid Snake]

Ok I see the pictures! She looks pretty good! Maybe just a hint of sunken eyes(could be the photo). I think she is at least a year old. JMO
If you are using the same UVB light you already had, take into account that they should be replaced every 6 months or so.

 

[n00breptivite]

Ok thank you I didn't think she was that old but what I forgot to mention was a month ago she was caged with a male but he was taken out do to having to get his leg amputated and I only just got her a few days ago and yes it's not the photo I have been trying to get her hydtated but the bulb is brand new the cage and dripper are what I was able to move with. I was planing on making her a larger cage here in 4 months when I move back on post. The house never gets below 65' at night it just feels colder then that most days

 

[Solid Snake]

Ok good deal.
I want to point out that thats just my opinion on her age. I may be wrong.
My girl was confirmed at least a year old, before she was at the maturity of your girl though.
Its HIGHLY possible that she bred with the male while they were housed together. You should assume her pregnant. It is a huge undertaking from what I can tell, to raise babies. This is actualy why Jdog made the video I believe. Jacksons give live birth, and they frequently come carrying babies.
65F is great!
Having a leg amputated does not sound good.
Any idea what the reason behind it was? It could relate to your girls health.
More pictures could help to tell if she may be pregnant now. However you may not know for awhile.

 

[n00breptivite]

He had to have it amputated because of an infected bite/ cut though I saw him and he was doing great though it was I little swollen he looked healthy. And that suprised me, I have One more pic but I need to download it to my computer. And when I heard she was caged with a male I instantly thought she might be pregnant but either way I want to care for her the best I can

 

[Solid Snake]

He had to have it amputated because of an infected bite/ cut though I saw him and he was doing great though it was I little swollen he looked healthy. And that suprised me, I have One more pic but I need to download it to my computer. And when I heard she was caged with a male I instantly thought she might be pregnant but either way I want to care for her the best I can

Great! We will be here to help!

 

[n00breptivite]

I really am greatful for it! Oh and I know this might be odd behavior but she would rather be held and out n about on me then in her cage!

 

[Solid Snake]

That is odd for a jackson yes.
This could point to something about her cage that she doesnt like.
When my jackson had to much D3, she became very active, and also wanted to be held, and get out of her cage.
I would not give any supplements for two weeks or so.
That way if for some reason she has not been supplemented correctly you can start with a clean slate, and avoid doing any damage.

 

[n00breptivite]

That is what I was thinking so I have not given any to her as of yet and also she could have gotten use to being taken out of her cage at the pet store which was small maybe a 5+ gal But that all is just a guess

 

[Solid Snake]

That is what I was thinking so I have not given any to her as of yet and also she could have gotten use to being taken out of her cage at the pet store which was small maybe a 5+ gal But that all is just a guess

Valid as well, yes! If the conditions there were bad, she may be used to enjoying time out of a cage!

 

[n00breptivite]

I think that is what it might be since in her cage she is all stressed out but out n about with me she is all chill and beautiful green and calm and egerly taking crickets from my hand we're as in her cage she ignore them

 

[Solid Snake]

It can take them some time to get used to a new environment as well.
Your cage looks pretty good. The pothos is wonderful, its my favorite plant for them. It will help keep humidity up.
Does she have a basking light? I just see the one fixture, that Im assuming is a CF UVB?

 

[tattooistchameleon]

Friend jdog he is on my friends list owns alot of Jackson s

 

[n00breptivite]

Yeah it a 50 watt UVA bulb

 

[Solid Snake]

Just UVA? You will need to aquire different lights if so. Whats the brand and stats so I can look it up and check?
An all in one bulb isnt recomended anyhow really.
Especially for a jackson, I would recomend a linear 5.0, and a lower wattage regular house hold bulb for basking. Like Jdog describes in the vid.

 

[n00breptivite]

It a neodymium from all living things

 

[Solid Snake]

Well I cant find much on them. What I do find is that people complain about them alot
Also that they dont seem to put out UVB.
In this link, Julirs gives the info of what a neodymium bulb is.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/uva-uvb-mouse-19809/
That bulb is going to be useful for heat only, if anything.
Make sure its not putting out to much.
I keep my jacksons basking spot under 88F.(thats on a hot day)
You will need a UVB bulb. A linear 5.0 from reptisun or reptiglo is most desirable.

 

[n00breptivite]

ah ok ill get to replacing that for her as soon as i can hopefull when i get payed for the comic