Keeping 1.2 Jacksons together.

[JohnnyD]

I read today that Jacksons can be kept three to a cage, 1 male, 2 females. Is this common and can this cause problems? I will be getting Jacksons next to add to my collection.

 

[jastate09]

Each one should be housed seperately or one is going to be dominant and stress the other ones out causing health problems.

 

[Julirs]

Jacksons are tricky anyways-there is no way I would keep even 2 together.

 

[JaxyGirl]

I plan on getting a female Jackson's soon and I plan to keep my male and female seperated

 

[Dank241]

I had a pair together and it did not end well. (I still have the female).
Its best to keep them separate. These guys take a turn fast and sometimes its to late when you notice...

Just play it safe and have separate enclosures for them.

 

[Manik6]

Yeah! I have a male and female. Luckily my female was receptive at the time I got em so they did fine together for a while but after they mated she couldnt stand the male and i caught her head butting him and gaping at him. Wasnt a good feeling to see that.

 

[Carlton]

I read today that Jacksons can be kept three to a cage, 1 male, 2 females. Is this common and can this cause problems? I will be getting Jacksons next to add to my collection.

I'd like to know just where you read that...so we can set them straight! Maybe in a greenhouse with lots of territories!

 

[JohnnyD]

Actually it was in two popular Cham books. Essential Care of Chameleons by Philippe de Vosjoli, and Reptile Keepers Guide: Jackson's and Veiled Chameleons, Facts and Advice on Care and Breeding by RD Bartlett and Patricia Bartlett. It is contrary to what I've heard elsewhere and doesn't seem like info that would change over time or due to advances in cham husbandry. In other words, if they'd kill each other today then they would have probably killed each other when these two books were written. I'd have to assume the authors had success keeping their animals this way. Contradictions on chameleon care are difinitely nothing new though. Lol

 

[laurie]

Actually it was in two popular Cham books. Essential Care of Chameleons by Philippe de Vosjoli, and Reptile Keepers Guide: Jackson's and Veiled Chameleons, Facts and Advice on Care and Breeding by RD Bartlett and Patricia Bartlett. It is contrary to what I've heard elsewhere and doesn't seem like info that would change over time or due to advances in cham husbandry. In other words, if they'd kill each other today then they would have probably killed each other when these two books were written. I'd have to assume the authors had success keeping their animals this way. Contradictions on chameleon care are difinitely nothing new though. Lol

I don't want to sound rude but Philippe de Vosjoli, wrote a book on the care of every reptile on the planet. The books are all old and I have lots of trouble believing he actually kept all those reptiles, the info you are talking about - maybe just a error- or lack of knowledge. Bartlett's I have no info on. jmo

I keep Jacksons and there is no way to put more than 1 in a cage. Some of mine stress when they just see one of the others.

 

[JohnnyD]

Thanks Laurie, no rudeness taken. I plan on keeping all 2.3 Jacksons I will be purchasing seperate. The post is for my own knowledge as well as others who may read these books and try something that may injure or kill their chams. The 3 panthers I have now are all babied and by my wife and myself. We do our best to constantly learn and give them the best of everything.

 

[laurie]

Glad to hear that you and your wife are responsible keepers. I always gives me a shock when I see things that could be harmful to chams. They are such wonderful creatures, I don't see how anyone could not love them.

 

[Carlton]

Thanks Laurie, no rudeness taken. I plan on keeping all 2.3 Jacksons I will be purchasing seperate. The post is for my own knowledge as well as others who may read these books and try something that may injure or kill their chams. The 3 panthers I have now are all babied and by my wife and myself. We do our best to constantly learn and give them the best of everything.

I have both those books. They are pretty outdated and much of the information isn't considered all that great now. Not that they deliberately mislead hobbyists, but at the time most chams didn't survive all that long in captivity and much less was understood about their behavior. The more subtle signs of long term stress just wasn't detected...and jax are not known for showing very overt aggression due to stress. They are more likely to show results of stress by being sick or dying rather than flaring colors, attacking, etc.

 

[JohnnyD]

Any suggestions on books that are more current and have useful info? Most of the info I use comes from this forum and from breeders. Seems like a golden opportunity for a great chameleon book to be written.

 

[flipfrommd]

When the two are seperated, can you have the cages side by side or do they have to be some distance apart? I just bought another cage today for my male because they weren't getting along at all and they're still young!!

 

[shineru]

When the two are seperated, can you have the cages side by side or do they have to be some distance apart? I just bought another cage today for my male because they weren't getting along at all and they're still young!!

yes as long as u divided them in the middle of the space btwn the cages you shld be good, i have mys like that

 

[Action Jackson]

You should maintain a visual barrier between the cages. If they can see each other it will be as stressful as keeping them together.

When the two are seperated, can you have the cages side by side or do they have to be some distance apart? I just bought another cage today for my male because they weren't getting along at all and they're still young!!

 

[Ulrich]

You can keep them together but you will need a very large enclosure as Jackson's roam quite a bit (small room size) with enough visual barriers and each one a home tree. We tried to house 2 together once (before we entered this forum, more or less our first Chams ever). Bad result. Cannot recommend to repeat.