Hello all, I went to my local Pet Store today to buy rats for my boa. While I was there I saw they had some new born Jackson's chameleons so I asked the salesman about them. He said they were born Tuesday to a female they had in the shop. He admitted he didn't know much about chameleons especially baby's and that he also didn't think they would live, at that point he began soaking them with a spray bottle. I didn't think much of this until I came home and read on the internet that you shouldn't soak them because it can drown them. Also the enclosure was very large and it looked like they were having a hard time finding food, half looked thin as if they hadn't ate and all of them were very dark as if they were stressed. I have always wanted to have a chameleon as a pet and I have studied them so I know the challenges. I am thinking of trying to raise one of these babies before the pet shop kills them. I have a food supply, pinhead crickets. What I don't know is how to set up a baby enclosure meaning size, heating, and light. The little guys are only 1" or less so what advice can anyone with experience with baby's give me on there care, please I need help. Thanks, NCSean
Need help with newborn Jackson's
- Thread starter NCSean
- Start date
dodolah
Retired Moderator
Here are good links for Jackson care:
http://www.geocities.com/chamjacksonii/
http://adcham.com/html/taxonomy/species/chjacksonixanth.html
http://adcham.com/html/husbandry/babycare.html
read everything in the site first and then feel free to ask more specific Qs after you have read it.
I would usually not recommend Jackson's neonates (especially the ones that are 5 days old) to someone who is not familiar with chameleon care.
So, be aware that baby chams are not easy to raise.
Normally, in this situation, I would advise you not to "rescue" the baby chams (I know it sounds cruel).
But, i think it is horrible to jump into this without a proper preparation.
Please realized that I understand your intention is honorable; however, in the long term, buying the neonates from a pet store that admits they do not know anything about how to care for chameleon is basically rewarding the store's negligence and irresponsibility.
And, then, the store will continue to victimize another new chameleons.
But, if you insist, then you have a lot of readings and shopping to do.
The links I gave you are good starters.
Best of luck
http://www.geocities.com/chamjacksonii/
http://adcham.com/html/taxonomy/species/chjacksonixanth.html
http://adcham.com/html/husbandry/babycare.html
read everything in the site first and then feel free to ask more specific Qs after you have read it.
I would usually not recommend Jackson's neonates (especially the ones that are 5 days old) to someone who is not familiar with chameleon care.
So, be aware that baby chams are not easy to raise.
Normally, in this situation, I would advise you not to "rescue" the baby chams (I know it sounds cruel).
But, i think it is horrible to jump into this without a proper preparation.
Please realized that I understand your intention is honorable; however, in the long term, buying the neonates from a pet store that admits they do not know anything about how to care for chameleon is basically rewarding the store's negligence and irresponsibility.
And, then, the store will continue to victimize another new chameleons.
But, if you insist, then you have a lot of readings and shopping to do.
The links I gave you are good starters.
Best of luck
Last edited:
ciafardo 4
New Member
Excellent advice dodolah couldn't be said any better
Dodolah thank you for your reply and the links. I totally agree with you about not rewarding the store's negligence and irresponsibility. And I also agree it is horrible to jump into this without proper preparation. But and I know you were probably expecting a but 
the way I see it its not the fault of the Chams they were born in a pet store (the mother was gravid when they received her the neonates where a surprise) that doesn't know anything about them. At least the one I purchase has a chance. If it makes it to adulthood great if it dies at least I tried. The way I see its a win win, win loose situation. If it makes it I learn alot about Chams and it lives a long happy life. If it dies I still learn alot about Chams and there care better preparing me for an older Cham in the future. I already have most of the supply's I need I have an enclosure, 2 clamp lamps 1 with a rheostat, small red spot lamp, timers, spray bottle, 2 digital temp/humidity gauges, cricket keeper, calcium gut load, rep cal with D3 (should I buy the one without D3?). I still need to buy a compact 5.0 bulb, a pothos or fake vines, pinhead crickets and cricket gel. Am I forgetting anything? NCSean
the way I see it its not the fault of the Chams they were born in a pet store (the mother was gravid when they received her the neonates where a surprise) that doesn't know anything about them. At least the one I purchase has a chance. If it makes it to adulthood great if it dies at least I tried. The way I see its a win win, win loose situation. If it makes it I learn alot about Chams and it lives a long happy life. If it dies I still learn alot about Chams and there care better preparing me for an older Cham in the future. I already have most of the supply's I need I have an enclosure, 2 clamp lamps 1 with a rheostat, small red spot lamp, timers, spray bottle, 2 digital temp/humidity gauges, cricket keeper, calcium gut load, rep cal with D3 (should I buy the one without D3?). I still need to buy a compact 5.0 bulb, a pothos or fake vines, pinhead crickets and cricket gel. Am I forgetting anything? NCSean
Eric Adrignola
Avid Member
don't get a compact uvb bulb - they cause severe eye problems. They were supposed to be fixed, but I do not think anybody has been able to provide anything showing that they were fixed.
Baby jackson's are very hard to raise. See if he'll just let you have them.
Where in NC are you? I'm near Asheville.
Baby jackson's are very hard to raise. See if he'll just let you have them.
Where in NC are you? I'm near Asheville.
Dave Weldon
Avid Member
Howdy Sean,
I agree with Eric. Offer to take as many off of his hands as he'll agree to. Maybe offer to return as many as you want after they are more than a few months old. The odds are slim that any will survive at the store. You'll receive the reward of the learning experience and he'll have a shot at a little monetary profit from selling whatever you get to survive to a proper selling age of >3 months. In the past, I've done this with panther eggs, Veiled eggs, and baby Jackson's.
I agree with Eric. Offer to take as many off of his hands as he'll agree to. Maybe offer to return as many as you want after they are more than a few months old. The odds are slim that any will survive at the store. You'll receive the reward of the learning experience and he'll have a shot at a little monetary profit from selling whatever you get to survive to a proper selling age of >3 months
. In the past, I've done this with panther eggs, Veiled eggs, and baby Jackson's.
merumontanus
Avid Member
Well said. I would add to this that in addition to the difficulty in raising neonate chameleons in general, livebearers are even more challenging to raise, especially if they were not kept optimally from the beginning.
Apart from lots and lots of mistings and a constant supply of pinhead crickets and/or fruit flies, they will need a small spot light. Neonate jacksonii love to bask throughout the day, and this is what will drive their appetite, in addition to being well hydrated. A 35-50 watt spot light will be sufficient. Add a Reptisun 5.0 and, if possible, a normal fluorescent bulb (not absolutely necessary), and you're good to go. Keep the red bulb in your closet as they will need complete darkness at night and a slight drop in temperature.
Good luck, and keep us posted!
Cheers,
Fabián
Dave Weldon
Avid Member
Howdy Sean,
I was also thinking that you might just leave your contact info with the store. Keep the whole conversation of your helping them on a positive note, even the part about neonate Jackson's easily dying in captivity. Let them see that you are there to help. Offer to help them get the right equipment and to help them set it up. If the Jackson's get into trouble, the store may decide to take you up on your offer, especially if they start failing to survive. At least they might not want to "put all of their eggs in one basket" .
I was also thinking that you might just leave your contact info with the store. Keep the whole conversation of your helping them on a positive note, even the part about neonate Jackson's easily dying in captivity. Let them see that you are there to help
. Offer to help them get the right equipment and to help them set it up. If the Jackson's get into trouble, the store may decide to take you up on your offer, especially if they start failing to survive. At least they might not want to "put all of their eggs in one basket" .
Redeye
New Member
I too am raising a couple baby Jacksonii, Born 5-23-09
I good misting every few hours and a constant supply of pinheads (loaded and powdered) seems to be keeping Dina and Dino happy, Dino's horns have noticeable growth almost daily
I take them outside to bask at least every other day~
I'm running a larger enclosure for them, since I am keeping the two together at least for a few months or until signs of stress (20x20x36) with 5.0 UVB bulb and a basking bulb (50w) Hibiscus and a piece of Ashwood spanning the entire cage top to bottom
All screen, near a window, which gives them a light breeze they like
I good misting every few hours and a constant supply of pinheads (loaded and powdered) seems to be keeping Dina and Dino happy, Dino's horns have noticeable growth almost daily
I take them outside to bask at least every other day~
I'm running a larger enclosure for them, since I am keeping the two together at least for a few months or until signs of stress (20x20x36) with 5.0 UVB bulb and a basking bulb (50w) Hibiscus and a piece of Ashwood spanning the entire cage top to bottom
All screen, near a window, which gives them a light breeze they like
dodolah
Retired Moderator
Eric and Dave offer you excellent suggestions on how to deal with this uncomfortable dilemma.
I would absolutely try to somehow rescue the baby WITHOUT having you to support such pet store with your money; so, they cannot actually make profit and use the money they got from you to abuse new chameleons by giving them improper care.
I wish you the best.
I would absolutely try to somehow rescue the baby WITHOUT having you to support such pet store with your money; so, they cannot actually make profit and use the money they got from you to abuse new chameleons by giving them improper care.
I wish you the best.
Well I went out and bought one of the baby Chams. It is basking under its 5.0 light right now. The hot side temp is 85 degrees and humidity is running from 65% after misting to 55% before misting. It has drank water the last 2 mistings and one of the five pinheads I put in the tank is missing hopefully it became a meal. I do have a question though, witch calcium powder should I dust with Rep-Cal Phosphorus Free Calcium with Vit.D3 or Jurassi Cal without Vit. D3? I have both on hand. I did ask the manager about raising them for him then giving them back in three months he said that was a no go. He said his staff was more than capable of caring for them, he was polite about it though. Wish me and the Cham luck. NCSean
dodolah
Retired Moderator
Leave your name card or something.
Soon they will have a different attitude when the babies dropping one by one like flies.. I would not expect too much from those "capable" staffs.
come back later but be graceful instead of doing "I told you so."
If they truly care about their animals, they would do something about it.
I'm sorry if i sound a bit negative within a few second after this sentence.
But, of course they would be polite to you; After all, you have just bought a chameleon from them.
Don't give the guy a credit he does not deserve,
Well.. I am getting too pent up.. Sorry..
I hope your cham going to be all well.
Did you read the links yet? The links covered about supplementing as well.
chameleon guy
New Member
Can you post some pics of the little guy?
I just got home from work and went to check on the little guy. My wife sprayed the cage for me at 9am and the humidity was still 60% at 2pm the temps were a little high at 86.5 so I lowered them to about 83. After checking temps and misting again I did a cricket count. When I left this morning there were 7 crickets when I got home there were only 4 left also when I misted I saw him drink again . He is very active moving around his vines and watching the crickets, so far so good. I read all the articles suggested but still haven't found any references to using calcium with D3 or without D3. Any body know for sure? I tried taking pictures but they look blurry my camera phone is prity good but it cant focus on him I think he is to small. I will try to get some when I feel he is eating right and the stress of handling wont put him off his feed. Right now he is sunning himself and looks very content. I will give updates periodically. NCSean
also when I misted I saw him drink again . He is very active moving around his vines and watching the crickets, so far so good. I read all the articles suggested but still haven't found any references to using calcium with D3 or without D3. Any body know for sure? I tried taking pictures but they look blurry my camera phone is prity good but it cant focus on him I think he is to small. I will try to get some when I feel he is eating right and the stress of handling wont put him off his feed. Right now he is sunning himself and looks very content. I will give updates periodically. NCSean
Fidel
New Member
You want to get both supplements, with AND without D3. The D3 is too be used much less frequently then the without. I've never raised jacksons so I can't say for sure, but I think once every two weeks would be enough of the D3.
Anybody have a baby jacksons supplement schedule for him?
Anybody have a baby jacksons supplement schedule for him?
I'm using a 13 watt 5.0 compact bulb in a reflector. I read the directions for the 26 watt bulb as far as distance from the bulb the reptile should be for safe basking and cut the distance by a little less than half. So far no closed eyes no swollen lids or other unusual eye symptoms but im keeping a look out for any. I'm scared if I take him outside he might overheat. When he gets past the 12 week mark I will take him out for some natural sun light. NCSean
dodolah
Retired Moderator
I read all the articles suggested but still haven't found any references to using calcium with D3 or without D3. Any body know for sure? I tried taking pictures but they look blurry my camera phone is prity good but it cant focus on him I think he is to small. I will try to get some when I feel he is eating right and the stress of handling wont put him off his feed. Right now he is sunning himself and looks very content
Hi NC,
here is the excerpt taken from the site i gave you (http://www.geocities.com/chamjacksonii/):
Vitamin/Mineral supplementation
You will need to supplement your chameleon's diet by "dusting" them with a vitamin and mineral powder. There are a few different kinds out there for you to use. For calcium/mineral supplementation you can use Sticky Tongue Farms Miner-All (with vitamin D3 for chameleons housed indoors, without for those housed outside), or Rep-Cal. Like Miner-All, Rep-Cal also comes with or without vitamin D3 but some people recommend mixing both of the Rep-Cal (with and without D3) together as the Rep-Cal with vitamin D3 has excessive amounts of it. This calcium/mineral supplementation should be used just about every day for newborns, juveniles, and gravid females; 3 times a week for adults.
As for vitamin supplementation you can use Herptivite, also from Rep-Cal. Some people recommend using this once per week, others say only once per month. If you gut-load your insects properly, once per month should be plenty. Overdoing the vitamins can be just as dangerous and not using any vitamins at all.
But please note: There is no exact answer as to what is the right amount of vitamins/minerals chameleons should have and it would vary with species, age, whether or not a chemeleon is gravid, etc. Let it be said that the better you gut-load your feeder insects, the less you'll need to supplement.
So, yes... use both with and without D3.
