New Jackson Chameleon Owner looking for help

[Quinnie88]

Hello! My names Quinn and I recently took in a 10 month old Jackson’s chameleon Female about 3 weeks ago. I have been doing a lot of research on what their colors mean, feeding, humidity etc. This wasn’t a huge leap for me as I used to own a veiled and have a ball python, a jumping spider, and two guinea pigs to top things off. I do know that the heating and humidity is different for Jackson’s than it is for veiled. She’s been eating great! She eats 3-4 large crickets and a hornworm every other day. She has a basking spot of 88°F and the middle of the enclosure reaches 78. I so turn off the hot bulb that produces light at night and keep a heat projecting bulb on at night to keep the cage at a good 72-75. I know that there’s a lot of things online about them overheating. Thing is I changed the heat bulb to make it less hot and she’s been sitting there GRAVID. She’s dark, still eating, doesn’t feel cold. But I don’t know where to start which bulbs to get etc. I just want her to have a better life as she was previously held in a 10 gallon glass tank her whole life. She’s in a 2x2x4 screen enclosure and I hand feed her she does sit dark on non feeding days and gets light and happy after a wax worm or a hornworm but I don’t know if her dark colors are because she’s hangry or I’m doing something wrong. Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[SteveH]

Jacksons needs a nighttime drop in temperature down to low to mid 60s
88° is just a little tool warm for the basking temp.

 

[JacksJill]

For females I keep the basking temperature closer to 78. Females are not heat tolerant. I use a 40 or 50 watt bulb or raise the basking bulb up off the top of the cage to achieve this. I also don’t keep the basking bulb on continuously. My UVB is on for 12 hours but the basking is only six in 30- 60 minute segments.

 

[ehdee6]

Hey there,

Are you able to provide pictures of your cage/little girl? And answer the following? Sorry if it's repetitive of what you just wrote.

Chameleon Info:

• Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
• Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
• Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
• Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
• Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
• Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
• History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.

Cage Info:

• Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
• Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
• Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
• Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
• Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
• Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
• Location - Where are you geographically located?

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.

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Please Note:

1. The more details you provide the better and more accurate help you will receive.
2. Photos can be very helpful.

I have a male Jackson, who I've been successfully been giving the somewhat same living conditions as my female vailed. Although, I understand Jacksons give live birth apposed to vaileds. So, I'm not fully aware, first hand, of the special needs for a girl. From what I understand they don't "lay" eggs in a bin/plant base, but drop 'slugs'. Slugs are the equivalent of live stillbirths; unless the female was in contact with a male, then you might get a baby Jackson...

I'll tag a senior member knowledgeable in Jacksons in case they have more advice. Edit I said @JacksJill but she replied as I was posting.

I'll also mention the best care sheets for Jacksons:

https://chameleonacademy.com/jacksons-chameleon-care/

https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/jacksons/

If you prefer a video: