Jackson's

[Tateg]

I've been told (not sure if this is true or not) that Jackson's are very hard to keep and usually die if you buy some and they also have a tendency to die in between five to seven months Is this true or are they pretty hardy and usually live their whole life, if they die is it because of what reasons? Thanks

 

[Ryan Jarosek]

I've been told (not sure if this is true or not) that Jackson's are very hard to keep and usually die if you buy some and they also have a tendency to die in between five to seven months Is this true or are they pretty hardy and usually live their whole life, if they die is it because of what reasons? Thanks

I keep Jacksons and do not have any problems with them. They require cooler conditions and higher humidity. With the proper care and the choice of a healthy Jackson I do not see any reason they should not live a full life.

 

[hallenhe]

My first chameleon was a Jackson's. I got him at ~7 months, and he lived an uneventful 2.5 years with me. His death was by accident (fell into a fish tank; I still feel terrible about that, and have since ensured that all tanks are very securely covered) - my point being, that he had no health problems and could have kept going for possibly a few more years. I was surprised on talking with the breeder to order my current panther chameleon to learn that Jackson's were considered difficult.

 

[kenya]

My first cham was Kenya, my male Jackson's, and he has been easy in my opinion. I wasn't ready for a cham and didn't know what I was really doing. He survived for 3 months being watered less than he should have, having a compact UVB bulb, a small screen cage, and only fake plants. I also didn't gutload crickets or superworms. I found the forums and started reading away and made some huge changes and he flourished. I still have him and am expecting a clutch any time now. I think I got lucky with him because where I live is naturally very humid. If I had lived somewhere dry, he would have had more problems.

You should get a Jackson's if that is what you really want, but have the setup up and ready and tested out, and a misting system would be a good idea so you don't have to worry about getting him the proper humidity and hydration if you will be working away from home for 4+ hours a day. You will just have to do some extra research before purchasing him (from a reputable breeder and at over 6 months if you can)

As to ask one of your specific questions, yes, some Jackson's will die for no apparent reason before about 7 months. My theory is that since they are an oviviviparous species that they are all born, no matter what, and if they had been in eggs, some wouldn't have been strong enough to break through the shell. Instead, these weaker individuals are dropped anyway and wander off into life unprepared. Jackson's are also smaller as neonates than other species that come from eggs because there is only so much room in the mother so it makes sense they would be smaller and therefore a bit more delicate. Since they are kept inside their mother the whole gestation/incubation period, they are also fully subjected to her health. If mom isn't healthy, the babies won't be healthy because they directly depend on her, just like mammalian babies.

 

[Tateg]

Size of cage

hey Thanks for the info I really appreciate it, also about what size of tank would a Mt.Meru need, a Xanth?
Thanks