Jackson Chameleon care- Need input.

[sandrachameleon]

Wow. That must have been quite the shock - way beyond suprise, especially given recent unfortunate events. I'd be super duper mad at my brother if he pulled an "i changed my mind" on me like that. Sounds like you are more responsible - perhaps the chams will be better off.
Best of luck with the new charges.

 

[blackbetty]

What are charges?

Yea, I should have known better.. He has been being more responsible but this is just like him...

I will def get pics when they are less stressed and thanks for the vote of confidence Skeeta.. Im just freaked. I opted not to get Leo a necropsy since I was pretty sure I did a good husbandry job, I just added way too much stress and perhaps he was ill beforehand..Doesnt matter..but now Im super scared that maybe it was all my fault and Im not gonna do good with these little ones.. I mean, they seem a lot harder..

I have NO clue if they are dwarf..Yea, Im used to panther size but these are little to me..it just said breeding pair of jacksons..The person claims they are CB. but I dont think so.. It was my brothers endeavor, I just wanted to be educated as well to make sure when I visited, he had everything going..didnt expect to be adopting them..

They are asleep now.. They really are cute..

 

[sandrachameleon]

What are charges?

the ones you're now in charge of the new chams.

 

[Murrdox]

Good luck Betty! I'm sure they'll do great under your care.

Send pictures of them!

A friend of mine had a setup with a pair of trees in his house, and he had a free-roaming setup with a pair of Jacksons. It was really awesome. It was a large enough area that each chameleon didn't stress the other one out, and they really thrived. When I get a larger house, I'm dreaming of having a setup like that. I miss having Jacksons. They're so calm and people-friendly, they love being hand-fed, they don't stress too easily. The only hard part about Jacksons is the humidity honestly. Otherwise their care is almost identical to what a Panther requires.

 

[Murrdox]

anyone else have any experience with this one?

http://www.amazon.com/ZooMed-Zoo-Med-Repti-Fogger/dp/B0019IJXD2

"Product Description Ready to operate. Includes one liter bottle and all necessary fittings. Create a tropical rainforest in your terrarium using Zoo Med Reptifogger. Dramatic cool mist increases animal comfort, relative humidity, and visual appeal. Can be used to increase the overall humidity level in smaller terrariums or to create a humid micro climate in larger terrariums. Excellent for use with chameleons, anoles, amphibians, geckos, forest tortoise, box turtles, hermit crabs, etc."

I'm curious how this will work out for you. Let me know.

 

[skeeta]

Haven't had experience with the Repti-fogger, but for the price I'd go for a cool mist humidifier.
I actually have 2 of these outfitted with pvc pipes over the top of my cages. They fit right into the humidifier when you take the "eyes" off. Get an elbow joint, drill a few holes, and up your humidity! You can also drape a towel over one side, and get it wet when you mist, just remember to WASH IT REGULARLY.

We've got the ones that look like frogs. Crane Adorable 1 Gallon Cool Mist Humidifier
You can get them at Toys R Us, etc., and are far cheaper.

Cheers!

 

[DawnLove]

Haven't had experience with the Repti-fogger, but for the price I'd go for a cool mist humidifier.
I actually have 2 of these outfitted with pvc pipes over the top of my cages. They fit right into the humidifier when you take the "eyes" off. Get an elbow joint, drill a few holes, and up your humidity! You can also drape a towel over one side, and get it wet when you mist, just remember to WASH IT REGULARLY.

We've got the ones that look like frogs. Crane Adorable 1 Gallon Cool Mist Humidifier
You can get them at Toys R Us, etc., and are far cheaper.

Cheers!

Thanks! I believe we have a humidifier at home, so I currently have my man looking around for it. I'm pretty sure it's a humidifier and not a vaporizer. So I hope. LOL.

Once I do find it,I will take a picture of the machine..cause I'd def be interested in finding out how to make it work with our cage...

 

[blackbetty]

Skeeta: That humidifier is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have a cool mist Reli-On, but cant figure out how to modify it to go over the top of the cage.

I still dont have pics. I didnt want to stick a big lens in their faces just yet.
They dont like to handfed yet. they are scared. they turn around when my moster hand comes at them. Its funny,. with Leo my hand was smaller than him so I was intimidated. with these little things, my hand looks huge.

We have named them..Well, Hubby named them: Al and Peg EYEROLL!!

THey are eating quite well. Neither will cup feed right now. ill work ont hat later. i was more concerned with getting them to eat. Im keeping a log.
Peg ate 2 hornworms and a butter worm.
Al ate 2 horns, 1 butter, 1 super, and a cricket with no back legs. LOL
There are 2 dubias roaming the cages.

The temp is around 79 and the humidity is average of 46, after misting about 54. Working on getting that up.

Al like to stare out the window as 1/4 of his cage is in front of one. Peg doesnt have that but the window is in her view, just not right in front of.

Im still dealing with the shock of this. I have been SOOO busy doing everything. I have cords everywhere, cages everywhere, timers going on and off all the time.. We use the dial and its almost impossible to get them all synced. I had fans running last night to get their nighttime temps down and woke up with next to no voice today and am coughing like crazy...

Ive misted a full 1/2 gallon twice today between them and the frogs..(which are doing great).

We tried a fogger before for the frogs and it sucked. We'll try to humidifier route instead but thank you for offering.

Gonna check out the geocites thread later on today when I get more than a few minutes, just wanted to stop by and letcha know how its going..

and I am sooo happy that you guys are being supportive. I know Ive had a bad run of luck lately..but maybe this is meant to be...somehow.

Let me know if im doing anything wrong os i can correct it asap.!!

 

[DawnLove]

Best of luck to ya honey, but to me, it sounds like you are doing a superior job!!

I've fallen in love with my Jackson, and it was my boyfriend who wanted it so bad to begin with ...LOL

She's SO ultra sweet, she comes to me when I go to her cage and *wants* to be held, it's very strange how friendly she is, that's why we got her to begin with. I've never seen a chameleon like quite as friendly like her, she never stresses over me unless I get the camera..LOL she doesn't like my huge arse Nikon d70.. Then again, I've only met veiled & panther chameleons, so maybe it is more common with Jackons?

She has the cutest personality and always makes silly faces at me and stretches out her front legs to come to me if I am near her cage. I still try not to handle her much...still want to let her become better acclimated to her enviroment.

 

[Murrdox]

She's SO ultra sweet, she comes to me when I go to her cage and *wants* to be held, it's very strange how friendly she is, that's why we got her to begin with. I've never seen a chameleon like quite as friendly like her, she never stresses over me unless I get the camera..LOL she doesn't like my huge arse Nikon d70.. Then again, I've only met veiled & panther chameleons, so maybe it is more common with Jackons?

She has the cutest personality and always makes silly faces at me and stretches out her front legs to come to me if I am near her cage. I still try not to handle her much...still want to let her become better acclimated to her enviroment.

I totally agree, Jacksons have the sweetest personality. They're the only chameleon I've had who ever approached my hand and crawled up to sit on my shoulder.

He grew to recognize me, and would come down off his basking spot whenever he saw me get home from work. He'd wait by the door of his cage to be hand-fed. When I got my Jacksons he was at least 9 months old! I didn't teach him this behavior as a youngin!

 

[blackbetty]

Pictures.

I did not resize so they could be as large as possible for better viewing. i do not know how to make them thumbnails or attachments...?

Females Cage:

Female Peggy:

Males cage:

Male:

The upclose pics are through the mesh so I didnt bother them so sorry about the quality. Let me know if I need to adjust anything.

 

[kenya]

They look really dark. They are probably still adjusting. Is that a bump on your male's side near the front of his body?

 

[Djscifee]

They look really dark. They are probably still adjusting. body?

i wuldnt worry bout it being too dark, mine did that at first for awhile bbut now she is a light green. not too vibrant, but she is pretty in her own way
i think its them adjusting too.

lol

 

[DawnLove]

I totally agree, Jacksons have the sweetest personality. They're the only chameleon I've had who ever approached my hand and crawled up to sit on my shoulder.

He grew to recognize me, and would come down off his basking spot whenever he saw me get home from work. He'd wait by the door of his cage to be hand-fed. When I got my Jacksons he was at least 9 months old! I didn't teach him this behavior as a youngin!

That's wonderful to hear!!

She's not particularly fond of my boyfriend it seems, she gets very uncomfortable when he tries to pick her up or open her cage for feeding...Suppose it's just maybe he lacks the ability to maintain voice volume & move slow enough. He's quite the "outgoing" personality..he's learning though..lol...

 

[Titan]

Yea those are Sub to near adult Jacksons, And Even though abit Blurry they do appear to be Xanth Jacksons, They Just have to settle in to get their more true colors. Even then they may be the more Army Green Type. Hard to tell, lighting makes them appear darker also with no flash on the Camera.

They look fairly healthy, But I do not believe them to be Captive Bred, so paracites could be an issue. Since you have reptaid try small dose each, injected into their feeders for 10 days, then you will at least feel at ease about paracites. + it will give them abit if vitality. Inject into a Med to Small crickets bunghole (Abdomen). and that should be a sufficient amount of Reptaid for each at: One each injected cricket daily.

Also the Males Horn was definately dammaged somewhere along the lines of shipping. But His snout looks fine and the horn is like your fingernail, so the bend will always remain.

I like your setups! only thing I would add would be some of those climbing vines you put in there. Only add and bend some around the Cool side (left) of each. Dont be afraid to bend them up and down lower on that side. My female loves sleeping on near vertical perches. giving them some walkways around the cool side of the enclosure.

After that let them settle in. without changing anything. Mine like roaches, real well, also Silks and hornworms of size. Yep, and always a Fly!

Keep up the good work, Its looking good, Now just sit back and enjoy!

 

[blackbetty]

OKay. I dont think they are dark. They were when they arrived, but they have lightened. the male turns pretty green when he is drinking and the female, when she is dark, gets red on her sides. THey are doing well I think.

TITAN: Thank You so so so much.. You have NO idea how that makes me feel. I ma freakin out thinking I am so not ready for this.. and Yea, Im calling BS on the captive bred too.. I point blank asked the person and they wouldnt give me a hatch date to tell my brother..just 9-12 months..that was a red flag..

The males horn has moved a little back into place, its still bent upwards but isnt as noticeable. The shipping means were awfuls o it wouldnt surprise me.

I do not have REPTAID, I have Repti-aid that I bought from Petsmart. Im being told these are 2 different things? Gesang contacted me when Leo was ill and informed me of this so now Im confused.

Titan: Do yours cup feed? The male sits int he same spot most the day. o sleeping, but just hangs out staring out the window. He does stalk his food. I do not allow a bunch to be dumped in at once, just a cricket, dubia, and horn, one at time as they are eaten. He tried to eat a horn this morn but the sucker had a grip on the vine and Al gave up.



QUESTION: Since the female technically gives live birth, will she still cycle eggs? Someone told me I do not need a laying bin so Im concerned if she would still go through this like the other chameleons?

Still having an issue with humidity and frankly, running the fans at night is making me pretty ill...so I need to find something else.

I was thinking..since they are a cooler species.. putting them in the basement/garage. my rabbits are down there..and it gets pretty cold at night, we run an oil heater for them and they have a sunlight lamp on a timer.. but my only concern, is this is where my hubby works on his cars..welding, oil changes, ect.. Would that be extremely harmful? The bunnies are fine. They get wheeled outside on nice days or the garage door stays open for fresh air.. But I think this is the only way I could maintain the low nighttime temps for them in the summertime..and they wouldnt be in anyones sight to be bothered (kids, dogs....me)

 

[blackbetty]

Okay, concern: I saw the male bulging out his right eye and rubbing it on a vine. Not sure what to make of this. I have errands to run so Im hoping when I get back, someone can shed light on this? could it just be water from misting I did about 45 minutes ago?

 

[Titan]

Ok, I thought in an old post you said Reptaid, Ha now I realize why you were trying to figure out how to mix it? I dont shop Petsmart or places like that so I never knew there was such a thing as Repti-aid. Trash that. Get some real Reptaid its a liquid, in a small bottle with an Eyedropper top and comes with a small syringe, for injecting into feeders. The site sponsor Chameleons Northwest here will sell you a bottle, get the smaller one. and follow instructions. Be discrete and do everything at an easy slow pace till these guys settle in. and If they dont eat when offerd, the Reptaid injected, try again later when hungry. I feed lightly everyday when doing this so they usually do eat when I offer the stuff.

When I mist I never shoot the animals. I'm sorry this may upset some of the other owners on this site. But I live in 20% anuall humidity, I added a humidifyer to my Jacksons Room and Keep It at 30 to 35%, and THEY live real well! Ive said this before and I'll say it again, Its not about getting water onto the Chameleons, Its about getting water INTO the Chams. So yes mist the cage, thats fine, and they will drink/lick the water off the plants, But please dont shoot the Cham heavily with water, especially in the eyes. By accident he probubly got abit of water in that eye and was just rubbing it out. The colored statement is not for you but others that read your thread. Drippers work well for mine also!

These Females dont lay eggs, so if not bred they dont go through any sort of birth. and may discharge or absorb any thing involved with the girly prosses. If you do breed the 2, live young come out in clear sacks that they immediately get out of and start running around.

Temperature, If its 65 to 75 in your house, they will be fine. so keep them where they are. And enjoy them, I doubt you let it get any hotter than 80 in there as you would not be comfortable. Average room temps work just fine.

 

[blackbetty]

So I dont need to have the fans running? I keep them running all day and night now to keep lower temps at the bottom. Al likes to walk by there as I have put a vine by it. He makes rounds around the cage.

I dont mist them directly.. Never have unless Im directed (aka, Shower). He is doing it on occasion though. I was wondering if it were possible parasites behind/in the sockets? I thought I saw this somewhere on this forum before. They are drinking very well.

They arent eating. They didnt eat yesterday..Al ate a small hornworm. He is scared of the dubias. I try cup feeding and they wont go anywhere near it. I tried clear and opaque, big and little..getting nothing. I dont feel right letting crickets roam. I had a few in my roach tank until I could get them fed off and they destroyed 3 adult males and ate them clean.

Other than that, They seem to be good. Peggy knows when her lights go off and we put blankets over them (light ones) at night to keep out any extra light since the hubby likes to read in bed.

Im gonna get some reptaid like you suggested.
Can you give me a rundown of how often and how much they should be eating?

 

[Titan]

As for the fans, how hot do you keep your house? The fan if noisy at night, you can turn it off, and crack the room window very slightly depending on the weather outside at night. Thats trial and aire and will need to be adjusted as you see fit. If a cold front is comming then close it and so on.

By the nearly developed horns on that guy, they are near adulthood, so feeding usually every 2 to 3 days @ however much they will eat at one sitting. for example 4 to 5 Med to large Crickets. But once you use the reptaid, since you want it in them daily, Just feed them 1 food Item every day, that way they will be ready for another the next day.

With paracite infected animals the sooner you start the treatment the easier it is to complete the cycle. Paracidic Chameleons can decline real fast once the paracites take over. and eating may become absent making it even harder to get the Medication in them. Just a note of caution to do this as soon as you can get the product.

Reptaid has a good instructional sheet with delivery or you can read about it I think on Chameleon Northwest web site, Since they were involved in the development of it. I'm sure they would be more than happy to go over their product with you should you contact them.

Cup feeding is not something wild Chams are used to. So you will have to work them in on that. Hand feeding works sometimes, or you will just have to free range the bugs they will eat. for awhile till they settle in and get used to the other ways you provide for them to eat.