Need help with a Jacksons Cham

[LT2012]

My boyfriend and I have anxiously been awaiting the arrival of our new jackson chameleon, LT, which arrived friday morning. But since then we have yet to see him eat but has been drinking. He may have eaten 1 or 2 small crickets but we're not sure if he did or they just got out of the feeding dish. We've also offered him a reptiworm,which he didn't touch. He's little, about 4-6 inches in total length. He is moving around the cage, basking and again drinking alright.

Any advice/suggestions why he isn't eating ??
Thanks

 

[Cainschams]

He looks good in the pics but they are small. Can you give more information about your setup? In the health clinic forum there is a form called "how to ask for help". Fill that out and post it here.

He is probably just acclimating to his new home. I suggest not handling him for a while until he adjusts. Even going as far as only feeding and watering him then leaving him alone where he cannot see any humans or pets.

You can try feeding him blue bottle flies. They usually stimulate a good feeding response. Even try free ranging the feeders. He will like the more movement of that certainly.

 

[LT2012]

LT- Chameleon Info

Chameleon Info:
• Your Chameleon – Male Jacksons Cham, not sure of the age but he’s about 4-6 in. in total length. We’ve had him for 4days
• Handling – Only once when he arrived to put him in the cage.
• Feeding – We have crickets, reptiworms, and mealworms. We’ve been putting about 6-8 small crickets in a day some in the dish one day and then we let some run around. Gutloading with Flukers and Quencher
• Supplements – ZooMed Repti Calcium one with and one without D3, and ZooMed ReptiVite with D3
• Watering- Right now we are misting with a spray bottle at 8a,11,2p,5p, and lightly again at 7p before lights go off. Yes we’ve seen him drink
• Fecal Description – once- brown and white, no hasn’t been tested
• History – ordered from backwater reptiles, shipped from fl , we’re in pa

Cage Info:
• Cage Type – Zilla Screen Cage 30hx30lx18w
• Lighting – ZooMed Deluxe Porcelain ClampLamp 5 ½” , 50watt ZooMed Basking Spot Lamp, ReptiGlo 5.0 Strip Light 30%UVA 5%UVB, 8am-9pm
• Temperature – Basking 80-85 , 68-80 varies throughout the cage Lowest overnight temp?65 Exo Terra Digital Thermometer/Hygrometer
• Humidity - What are your humidity levels? 70-80in cooler and 40in warmer areas. How are you creating and maintaining these levels? Misting(spray bottle) a dripper and a coolmist humidifier on the outside of the cage.
• Plants – Live plants, 1 schefflera umbrella and 1 dracaena also 1 fake foilage
• Placement – In bedroom, low traffic. No windows or vents, in a corner. Its up on a dresser and the top of the cage stands at 7ft
• Location - PA

Current Problem – Not sure if he’s eating. We have tried a feeding dish and free ranging with small crickets. We also offered a couple reptiworms. He is basking, drinking, and climbing regularly. He seems to be in good health but we are first time owners and are getting worried about him not eating.. We just want to make sure this is a suitable setup. Any suggestions would be helpful. We will have more pictures soon.

 

[pigglett79]

How often are you dusting with the calcium and vitamins? Jackson's are sensitive to supplementation and require much less than other chameleons. I give mine calcium without D3 twice a week, calcium with D3 twice a month and a multivitamin twice a month. Also be careful with basking temps, they like it cooler. I don't let my basking temp get over 82 max. I use a 45 watt regular house bulb. He might just need time to adjust, I have always had issues getting my Jackson's to eat. He is super picky and I have to change up his feeders often.

 

[Decadancin]

I wouldn't worry, yet. Let him settle in after his trip from Florida. Try to look into some better cricket supplements for gutloading. There are some good resources on some of the blogs. I would also use a lower wattage bulb for basking, or move it a little further away, at least until he gets older. Also, make sure he has a way to get out of the heat (shaded area) and a few spots to choose from with varied basking temps if possible. Best of luck, and hope he is eating soon!

 

[LT2012]

LT- Chameleon Info

Thanks for your replies. We've been lightly dusting the crickets everyday without d3. Any tips on other feeders to use and different sizes?

 

[camimom]

Thanks for your replies. We've been lightly dusting the crickets everyday without d3. Any tips on other feeders to use and different sizes?

you are over supplementing, jacksond otn need that much calcium.

only dust maybe 2 times aweekm though i personally only do once a week for jacksons.

you can use all feeders, and just make sure the size is correct for his size.

hornworms
silkworms
dubias
crickets
supers
mealies
pheonix worms

 

[LT2012]

ok thanks


do you have any tips for feeding jacksons?? We're not 100% sure he's eating the crickets...or if they've gotten out of the dish.

 

[LT2012]

ok thanks


do you have any tips for feeding jacksons?? We're not 100% sure he's eating the crickets...or if they've gotten out of the dish.

we've given him 'undusted' crickets, and still we don't think he's eaten any..

 

[mcbdz]

Hello, I'm now expert by any means but would suggest you look for his poops. If he's pooping you'll know he's eating. Some aren't going to eat infront of you.
Cainschams did sugest the blue bottle flies. You may want to try them.

 

[sulfurboy1o3]

more time.

Try different foods like small silks and flies and small roaches. see if that will trigger something better

 

[kirekameleon]

Definitely flies, it is better he is drinking than eating. My little guys loved the M. hydei and were slow to adjust to crickets. Blaptica dubia colony could help you produce your own feeders.