Just introuducing myself and Chester =)

[Noodles87]

Hello all! My name is Alycia. I'm in Tucson, AZ. I have a Jacksons Chameleon named Chester. I've had him for 5 months now. I got him from petsmart. Now that I think of it I should have found a private breeder and got one from them...anyways. I couldn't really tell you how old he is. Maybe a year? I've been doing a lot of research online but I decided that it would be best to get the opions of people who have experience. The people at the pet stores here don't really have much knowledge about them and really aren't much help. Even the one reptile shop I went to, they were no help at all and seemed burdened by me asking questions! Ha. I'll have many questions as time goes on. I really want to make sure I do everything I can to make sure he grows into a healthy chameleon. A couple things I've notice lately about him is he will only eat crickets. I can't get him to eat any worms and I think it's because they never really move around too much, it doesn't attract him. And I think he likes to work for his food. Ya know? I'm just worried that he's not getting enough of a varied diet. Also, he seems to be getting a little more weird around me. He wont hunt for the crickets if I am watching him and if I go over there after he has caught one he will hold the cricket in his mouth until I walk away and then start chewing. I just think it's kinda odd. Also, when I first got him he wouldn't really mind me holding him and he would actually crawl around in my hands, now he will just sit in my hand staring at me or just close his eyes. It just seems like he's getting more scared of me. But maybe it's jsut because he's comfortable in the cage now and doesn't want to be disturbed? He's not getting aggressive, although when I picked him up earlier this even he did open his mouth real wide and puffed up. So, maybe he could get aggressive. He also HATES when I mist his cage....But that's really I've got for right now. Thanks for reading. =)

 

[Sang]

OK, well being also in arizona, let me tell yah, jackson are a cool mountain species of chameleons, they like it cool and humid, i am talking about having your day temps into the 72's and basking spot in the 78-80 range. as for his diet, crickets are an OK staple feeder you just need to make sure you are gut loading the crickets with a variety of fresh vegitables. there are lists on the forums posted by others members on how to make a good gut load.
as for him gaping at you thats basically "NOT NOW, Leave me the F alone" also, him closing his eyes while you are holding him is basically him stressing. he prefers his cage obviously.

DO us a favor being a petsmart animal, lets post some photos of him and lets also get some photos of your enclosure.


DO you got UVB lighting *reptisun 5.0 tube bulb, please no Compact florescent lights*.

are you dusting with calcium powder *without D3*.

he will eventually grow tired of crickets you can order painted lady butterflys, blue bottle flys, house flies and a variety of other feeders from the site sponsors.

 

[dodolah]

here's a good site for jacson's care:
http://www.geocities.com/chamjacksonii/

 

[SSimsswiSS]

he will eventually grow tired of crickets you can order painted lady butterflys, blue bottle flys, house flies and a variety of other feeders from the site sponsors.

Arizona can be a wonderful place for wildflowers and insects. I have a girlfriend in Tubac, that I go visit from time to time. I could do a little damage with a butterfly net, if I lived in this state. I'd probably have a big hairy pet spider or two too. Welcome to the Forums. Think your Jackson behavior is normal as he grows older.

 

[Noodles87]

Awesome, thanks guys. I actually just replaced the 5.0 tube light today. I buy the gut loaded crickets and dust them. But why the dust with no D3? I had no idea they would eat butterflies. I actually caught a moth in my house once and put it in his cage. He enjoyed that. I think I will order some flies and butterflies right now, thanks for the suggestion on that. As for the pics, I do not have a computer I only have my phone for internet access so it will be a bit difficult for me to get some pics uploaded. I don't have access to a computer often. I have to go to my parents for that. So it will take some time for me to get some pictures. The temp of the cage is pretty close its usually about 75-78 during the day. But I will work on getting it a few degrees cooler.

 

[Sang]

careful with what you catch wild, insects can be carriers (wild caught or un clean petstores) of parasites, which could infect your cham, also be cautious if the moth carries any toxins.

They love things that fly around and kinda grab their attention.


just read up on and about whats safe and not safe for them to take in.