New to Jacksons

[brownie64]

Two part question: I have had and raised veiled Chameleons for 19 years, and have loved every minute of it. But I just recently acquired two Jacksons, a male and a female. I only wanted a male however the pet store said they could only sell them in pairs, because they thrive better that way. Now with veiled chameleons this never worked out for me. So I figured I would give it a try with the Jackson's because I noticed they were much more docile. I will keep an eye on them, and if it looks like one is stressing the other out too much I could always separate them later. What do you think.

The second question is: I have a setup that has worked for me quite well for the veiled chameleons, but I see that the Jacksons are a little more sensitive to heat, and hydration. So I tell you my set up and if you guys could give me some feedback I would greatly appreciate it. Ok here's what I got a 55 gallon aquarium with a 30"-18"-18" screened in enclosure on half of the top. The tank part helps me maintain the humidity, and the top part takes care of the fresh air. I also pump air through air hoses to the bottom so the air don't get too stale, and I have live plants, a 26 watt UVB CF, 50 watt sunglow heat bulb, and I hand mist two to three times a day, and I have a dripper. You guys are the experts on Jacksons please tell me what you think.

 

[camimom]

So, first off, your pet shop is stupid.

All chams but pygmys are solitary animals. So, you need to seperate them now. Not to meniton, babies are 100% going to happen, and if the female is too young, it could kill her.

Next- no fish tank. no fish tank. no fish tank.

Chams are arboreal species. they need height, not width. So what you have wont work at all.

You need to get two screen cages (exo terra larges should work) and read our care sheet, posted here.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/jacksons/

jacksons are sensitive to heat and water, they need alot of water, and lower temps than veileds do.

they also need less supplementation.

 

[jrath]

Ok, so I won't be so harsh on you.
First off, glass isn't the best option but with the screen cage on top it could work pretty well. Jackson's love to roam and the extra height with the screen cage on top would be good, a 36" screen cage on top would be best. With that said, I would absolutely not keep them together, the male will stress her out and continually try to breed.
What if you divided the 55 gal. In half and put a screen cage on each side. You would still have to put a visual barrier all the way down the center so they can't see each other. Also read the care resources on Jackson's, their supplementation and temps are less then what you are probably use to with veileds.
And the only reason they would only sell them as a pair is because that is how they probably buy them and everyone wants a male so they don't want to end up with a bunch of females that they can't sell.
Hope this helps.

 

[brownie64]

Sorry if this post twice my internet is messed up must be this stinking snow storm.

First off let me thank you for your input it was very helpful.

I knew that they were pulling my leg. When I tried putting them together with my Veiled they done just like you said he would breed her all the time. She had way too many clutches of eggs her calcium level went too low, and she became egg barren which inturn cost her life. She was a very loving chameleon which is very unusual for veiled chameleons I miss her greatly. Come to think about it they did have two Jacksons a few years back sold the male, and had the female forever. I feel real stupid right now. I hate when people lie to you knowing it could hurt the animal just to make a buck.

The idea of turning this into two enclosures is brilliant, but I probably would have to kill my beautiful panthos. I will check to see if the cost is more effective if so this sounds like a go. But if I shorten it up I think I would have to make the screened in part taller you think? What ever it takes I want to do right by my beautiful pets. If I can figure out how I will show you a pic of them.

I'm going to get a misting unit, and was thinking about getting one of those cool mist humidifiers what do you think. too much?

 

[brownie64]

clueless

So can anyone tell me how to upload a pic from your photo album on your pc when there is no url ??? usually you click on the photo icon and click browse, got to your photo album find the pic you want double click it and presto you're done. Sorry that I'm so stupid.

 

[camimom]

Sorry if this post twice my internet is messed up must be this stinking snow storm.

First off let me thank you for your input it was very helpful.

I knew that they were pulling my leg. When I tried putting them together with my Veiled they done just like you said he would breed her all the time. She had way too many clutches of eggs her calcium level went too low, and she became egg barren which inturn cost her life. She was a very loving chameleon which is very unusual for veiled chameleons I miss her greatly. Come to think about it they did have two Jacksons a few years back sold the male, and had the female forever. I feel real stupid right now. I hate when people lie to you knowing it could hurt the animal just to make a buck.

The idea of turning this into two enclosures is brilliant, but I probably would have to kill my beautiful panthos. I will check to see if the cost is more effective if so this sounds like a go. But if I shorten it up I think I would have to make the screened in part taller you think? What ever it takes I want to do right by my beautiful pets. If I can figure out how I will show you a pic of them.

I'm going to get a misting unit, and was thinking about getting one of those cool mist humidifiers what do you think. too much?

Personally, you dont need a humidifier unless your area gets super dry.
I recommend a mist sysytem, as it can be tiring trying to keep up with a jacksons water demand. I recommend mistking or aquazamp ( I have the mistking, and its super fantastic, I run 6 cages on it).

So can anyone tell me how to upload a pic from your photo album on your pc when there is no url ??? usually you click on the photo icon and click browse, got to your photo album find the pic you want double click it and presto you're done. Sorry that I'm so stupid.

to load a photo:

post reply
click the paper clip in the utilitiy bar
browse the comp (like you said)
click upload after each pic
close the window that popped up
click paper clip again
click insert (or manage) attachments.

submit reply.

 

[brownie64]

here ar my babies

I hope I can figure this out, I think I need to go get one of the windows for dummies. But as much as these things change don't know how much good it will do. Thank you for your info on my chams I really appreciate you taking the time to help me. It's when you do things a certain way successfully having one veiled live as long as 8 years you just figure it will work for all. But I knew deep down this wasn't true, so that's where you come in again thanks Jeff.

While taking your advice it went fairly easy with the pics. again thanks. I did hit the paperclip yesterday however nothing came up but a box. I think it was the snow reeking havoc with my internet.

 

[camimom]

I hope I can figure this out, I think I need to go get one of the windows for dummies. But as much as these things change don't know how much good it will do. Thank you for your info on my chams I really appreciate you taking the time to help me. It's when you do things a certain way successfully for that many years you just figure it will work for all. But I knew deep down this wasn't true, so that's where you come it again thanks Jeff.

They look good. and both are close to if not, full grown adults.

Female may be gravid if shes been kept with a male, so I would keep an eye out.

Since Jacksons give live birth, you may come home to babies in her cage, if this occurs, remove the babies from her cage, and get on this forum for help! haha

also, in case it does occur, you can get large jars of producing fruit fly cultures from petco, in case you are caught with babies suddenly.

 

[brownie64]

Jackson birth

If she does become gravid will she show it by coloring up like veiled do? If not what are the signs.

 

[camimom]

If she does become gravid will she show it by coloring up like veiled do? If not what are the signs.

Some will change colors, but I couldnt tell you the color change in female jacksons.

m sure there are gravid pics on the forum somewhere.

 

[brownie64]

greatfull

Some will change colors, but I couldnt tell you the color change in female jacksons.

m sure there are gravid pics on the forum somewhere.

Thanks again for your help, and don't worry if she ends up gravid I'll definitely be asking questions. When I raised veiled there were losses of course, but then again the female would lay about 65-70 eggs. I think the best clutch I ever raised long enough to sell to the pet store was about 38 so lost almost half. And I heard that Jacksons are even worse something about living for about 4-5 months and then die for no reason? scary!

 

[camimom]

Thanks again for your help, and don't worry if she ends up gravid I'll definitely be asking questions. When I raised veiled there were losses of course, but then again the female would lay about 65-70 eggs. I think the best clutch I ever raised long enough to sell to the pet store was about 38 so lost almost half. And I heard that Jacksons are even worse something about living for about 4-5 months and then die for no reason? scary!

That's a lot of eggs. My female only laid 38 eggs her first fertile clutch.

If you ever keep females again, there are ways to reduce clutch size.


And yea, jax have a SIDS issue.

 

[brownie64]

Eggs

That's a lot of eggs. My female only laid 38 eggs her first fertile clutch.

If you ever keep females again, there are ways to reduce clutch size.


And yea, jax have a SIDS issue.

Yeah that was her first clutch later clutches were less and less here last clutch was around twenty five and wasn't fertile. Its too bad there wasn't forums like this back then all those eggs (three clutches) was too much for her. even with a calcium supplement from the vet she never recovered enough to be operated on to get the stuck egg or eggs out of her. Wasn't as much information in those days, however I still feel responsible for what happened. In hindsight should have taken her out of the cage to give her a rest, but had to find out the hard way. she only lived for little over a year, but in that time captured our hearts. like I said she was very loving never had another like her.

In the event she gets gravid before I get her out of his tank. Is there any pointers on what to do to stop this SIDS from happening? I mean if you could get veiled to live past 3-4 months they were pretty much home free. I'll go on my wife's facebook account and let her help me navigate it. I don't know that much about it. I need to catch up with the times LOL.

Wile I'm picking your brain I have another question if this is a dumb one I'm sorry. Does temperature have any bearing on what the sex is. They said it did with veiled however I didn't see it, as I had both sexes with the clutches. And I kept the temp on the high side (78-80 degrees) in hopes of having mostly males.

 

[camimom]

Yeah that was her first clutch later clutches were less and less here last clutch was around twenty five and wasn't fertile. Its too bad there wasn't forums like this back then all those eggs (three clutches) was too much for her. even with a calcium supplement from the vet she never recovered enough to be operated on to get the stuck egg or eggs out of her. Wasn't as much information in those days, however I still feel responsible for what happened. In hindsight should have taken her out of the cage to give her a rest, but had to find out the hard way. she only lived for little over a year, but in that time captured our hearts. like I said she was very loving never had another like her.

In the event she gets gravid before I get her out of his tank. Is there any pointers on what to do to stop this SIDS from happening? I mean if you could get veiled to live past 3-4 months they were pretty much home free. I'll go on my wife's facebook account and let her help me navigate it. I don't know that much about it. I need to catch up with the times LOL.

Wile I'm picking your brain I have another question if this is a dumb one I'm sorry. Does temperature have any bearing on what the sex is. They said it did with veiled however I didn't see it, as I had both sexes with the clutches. And I kept the temp on the high side (78-80 degrees) in hopes of having mostly males.

Veileds are a hardier species,

Im pretty sure temps dont really play into genders for eggs. I kept my eggs around 75, and had an even split between the two, but i think that was just luck.

As for the SIDS issue, its just a matter of making sure mom stays healthy during the pregnancy, and that the babies get the food, water, and warmth they need to thrive.

 

[brownie64]

Sorry

I went on your facebook site, Sorry to hear about your loss he was a beautiful chameleon. Things just happen sometimes, I remember I had a female one time called her Lizzy. Any way she wasn't showing any signs of being sick what so ever. I just got done hand feeding her some crickets which she took with vigor, and went outside for just a few minutes came back in, and there she was on the bottom dead. I don't know but I think she had a heart attack never seen anything like it.

Love your lizard collection, especially the chameleon's. You might say I'm a little jealous. Absolutely stunning!

 

[camimom]

I went on your facebook site, Sorry to hear about your loss he was a beautiful chameleon. Things just happen sometimes, I remember I had a female one time called her Lizzy. Any way she wasn't showing any signs of being sick what so ever. I just got done hand feeding her some crickets which she took with vigor, and went outside for just a few minutes came back in, and there she was on the bottom dead. I don't know but I think she had a heart attack never seen anything like it.

Love your lizard collection, especially the chameleon's. You might say I'm a little jealous. Absolutely stunning!

Thanks, he was my favorite (shh dont tell the others)

Im sorry about your girl, its also possible she choked, which i knwo doesnt help much, that that just seems very sudden.

i have some panther eggs incubating now, that im hoping are fertile and hatch in september.

 

[brownie64]

Thanks, he was my favorite (shh dont tell the others)

Im sorry about your girl, its also possible she choked, which i knwo doesnt help much, that that just seems very sudden.

i have some panther eggs incubating now, that im hoping are fertile and hatch in september.

I wish you all the luck, I know you can't replace him but maybe he will have an offspring to carry on. And if there is I hop he is a lot like his dad.

 

[brownie64]

Finaly done

Ok, so I won't be so harsh on you.
First off, glass isn't the best option but with the screen cage on top it could work pretty well. Jackson's love to roam and the extra height with the screen cage on top would be good, a 36" screen cage on top would be best. With that said, I would absolutely not keep them together, the male will stress her out and continually try to breed.
What if you divided the 55 gal. In half and put a screen cage on each side. You would still have to put a visual barrier all the way down the center so they can't see each other. Also read the care resources on Jackson's, their supplementation and temps are less then what you are probably use to with veileds.
And the only reason they would only sell them as a pair is because that is how they probably buy them and everyone wants a male so they don't want to end up with a bunch of females that they can't sell.
Hope this helps.

It was almost three months in the making but I finally finished. I thought you would want to see how it turned out since it was your idea. To anyone out there who builds their own enclosure I commend you, it was fun but a lot of work, and more expensive than store bought.

 

[Bush baby]

View attachment 97487

Amazing!

 

[jrath]

Looks great, you did a great job. They should be very happy!
Actually I think more cages should be built like this, you have the best of both worlds, they hold humidity and allow ventilation.