JerseyJax44
New Member
Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Jackson's, Male, don't know age. Had for 1 day. Here is the story-- I was buying crickets at a local chain pet store for my tree frogs. I got to talking to the cricket girl about pets and the repti expo came up. I told her I was excited to go because I have been preparing to get a chameleon. She explained that they had a male Jacksons that was living in the back room of the store because he had a swollen elbow and could not be sold. I told her I would take him and give him a home. I was originally looking to get a Veiled, so had done a lot of research on them, and none on Jacksons. BUT I did recall most places saying Jacksons are different and cannot live in the same environment. Needless to say I was convinced to buy a 18x12x12, ecoEarth substrate, to mist 2x a day, and to always feed w D3 dusted crickets. She said I could use a heating pad (which I already had). I had not researched Jacksons, but knew they were different from Veiled, I just went with it. SOOO long story longer... I am changing his enclosure today, removing the substrate and adding more plants, and then readjusting his diet and giving the frogs all the new stuff I bought for the Jacksons... Lucky frogs! Anyway, as soon as I got home I looked up what he needed and will be providing it today. So I will tell you what I was told to do as I assume that's what they have been doing.
Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon? Only to move him into his home
Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? So far just crickets. What amount? Gave him 4, he ate them all, so added 4 more. What is the schedule? I will be feeding 3-4 days a week depending on how he is eating. How are you gut-loading your feeders? veggies, leafy grns
Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule? So far only used ReptiCal +D3, will be changing schedule to cal every feeding, d3 every 2 weeks, and vita every 2 weeks.
Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? Misting for now, we will see what I can find at the store today to make some more humidity. How often and how long to you mist? Right now i mist 8-10x a day, just keeping humidity btw 75-85 Do you see your chameleon drinking? Have not seen him drink yet, but he has been hiding most of the time.
Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. White and light orange, looked a little dry (Ive never seen cham poop before so I could be overreacting), but as far as I know he could be a bit dehydrated or stressed. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites? Not that I know of
History - I was told he had been to a vet multiple times re his elbow and that they even did xrays... this is while he was living in a chain pet store, so I don't know how that works. Vet said it was a deformity or old injury. Nothing that effects his climbing, eating, or personality.
Cage Info:
Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions? Right now he is SQUEEZED into a 18x12x12, but will be in his new home tonight. Not sure what I am getting, but it will def be bigger and better.
Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? I was told I didn't need a light if I had a heating pad... I KNOW, you're screaming at me right now!-- But currently he has a uvb tube light I borrowed from my fish tank (getting a new one today since it's over a year old) and I will be getting him a 40 basking today also. What is your daily lighting schedule? 12hrs on 12 off
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? 70-75 all around for now. Lowest overnight temp? 65 How do you measure these temps? I have a thermometer in the tank.
Humidity - What are your humidity levels?75-85 How are you creating and maintaining these levels? lotsa misting What do you use to measure humidity? have a gauge
Plants - Are you using live plants? not at the moment, but I am going to go get some today. Ficus or maybe umbrella, I have some orchids I want to add, but it makes me nervous to use them. While I'm here... How do you treat your plants before putting them in?? I read to change the soil and rinse the leaves, is that all you do??
Placement - Where is your cage located? High on a stand for now. No fans or vents, but the heat is on and seems to dry everything out quickly.
Location - Where are you geographically located? NJ USA
Current Problem - What's going on with his elbow? Could it be gout? It's only on the front left, but his back left looks larger than the right. I posted pictures of both sides so you could see the difference. They had said the vet saw him and said it was nothing serious. Since he has a heftier price tag than some other chainstore pets I am convinced they tried to fix him so they could sell. Also I was told he came to the store with the "injury". He had been living in the back of the pet store for at least 4 months. He is eating well for his first day, I have not seen him drinking much, but he has peed and could be drinking when I am not looking, I've been trying to leave him alone. He had just finished his shed, but I don't know how much shedding he did, he has little spots of skin that are peeling off with bright skin underneath.
Sorry it's so long, but I just want to give you all the info!!
Thanks in advance for your help!!
Your Chameleon - Jackson's, Male, don't know age. Had for 1 day. Here is the story-- I was buying crickets at a local chain pet store for my tree frogs. I got to talking to the cricket girl about pets and the repti expo came up. I told her I was excited to go because I have been preparing to get a chameleon. She explained that they had a male Jacksons that was living in the back room of the store because he had a swollen elbow and could not be sold. I told her I would take him and give him a home. I was originally looking to get a Veiled, so had done a lot of research on them, and none on Jacksons. BUT I did recall most places saying Jacksons are different and cannot live in the same environment. Needless to say I was convinced to buy a 18x12x12, ecoEarth substrate, to mist 2x a day, and to always feed w D3 dusted crickets. She said I could use a heating pad (which I already had). I had not researched Jacksons, but knew they were different from Veiled, I just went with it. SOOO long story longer... I am changing his enclosure today, removing the substrate and adding more plants, and then readjusting his diet and giving the frogs all the new stuff I bought for the Jacksons... Lucky frogs! Anyway, as soon as I got home I looked up what he needed and will be providing it today. So I will tell you what I was told to do as I assume that's what they have been doing.
Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon? Only to move him into his home
Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? So far just crickets. What amount? Gave him 4, he ate them all, so added 4 more. What is the schedule? I will be feeding 3-4 days a week depending on how he is eating. How are you gut-loading your feeders? veggies, leafy grns
Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule? So far only used ReptiCal +D3, will be changing schedule to cal every feeding, d3 every 2 weeks, and vita every 2 weeks.
Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? Misting for now, we will see what I can find at the store today to make some more humidity. How often and how long to you mist? Right now i mist 8-10x a day, just keeping humidity btw 75-85 Do you see your chameleon drinking? Have not seen him drink yet, but he has been hiding most of the time.
Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. White and light orange, looked a little dry (Ive never seen cham poop before so I could be overreacting), but as far as I know he could be a bit dehydrated or stressed. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites? Not that I know of
History - I was told he had been to a vet multiple times re his elbow and that they even did xrays... this is while he was living in a chain pet store, so I don't know how that works. Vet said it was a deformity or old injury. Nothing that effects his climbing, eating, or personality.
Cage Info:
Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions? Right now he is SQUEEZED into a 18x12x12, but will be in his new home tonight. Not sure what I am getting, but it will def be bigger and better.
Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? I was told I didn't need a light if I had a heating pad... I KNOW, you're screaming at me right now!-- But currently he has a uvb tube light I borrowed from my fish tank (getting a new one today since it's over a year old) and I will be getting him a 40 basking today also. What is your daily lighting schedule? 12hrs on 12 off
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? 70-75 all around for now. Lowest overnight temp? 65 How do you measure these temps? I have a thermometer in the tank.
Humidity - What are your humidity levels?75-85 How are you creating and maintaining these levels? lotsa misting What do you use to measure humidity? have a gauge
Plants - Are you using live plants? not at the moment, but I am going to go get some today. Ficus or maybe umbrella, I have some orchids I want to add, but it makes me nervous to use them. While I'm here... How do you treat your plants before putting them in?? I read to change the soil and rinse the leaves, is that all you do??
Placement - Where is your cage located? High on a stand for now. No fans or vents, but the heat is on and seems to dry everything out quickly.
Location - Where are you geographically located? NJ USA
Current Problem - What's going on with his elbow? Could it be gout? It's only on the front left, but his back left looks larger than the right. I posted pictures of both sides so you could see the difference. They had said the vet saw him and said it was nothing serious. Since he has a heftier price tag than some other chainstore pets I am convinced they tried to fix him so they could sell. Also I was told he came to the store with the "injury". He had been living in the back of the pet store for at least 4 months. He is eating well for his first day, I have not seen him drinking much, but he has peed and could be drinking when I am not looking, I've been trying to leave him alone. He had just finished his shed, but I don't know how much shedding he did, he has little spots of skin that are peeling off with bright skin underneath.
Sorry it's so long, but I just want to give you all the info!!
Thanks in advance for your help!!
