New to Jacksons

[brownie64]

I just recently acquired a male, and female jax. And I've been raising veiled chameleons for over 16 years, but these are my first Jacksons. I have read that at night the should have their temperature drop down to 60, 65 degrees. now the question I have is two part; I know their temperature is lower than veiled however is it really necessary to have it drop that low at night, or would 72 degrees suffice.

Second; If it is necessary do you think it would be feasible to use small fans like a computer fan to cool the enclosure? Or would the noise be too loud, and stressful, or keep them awake? And most importantly would the air cause problems with their health?

Any help you could give me in this regard would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance Jeff

 

[kplatvoet]

I can only answer the first part of the question I find my Jackson is more active and acts healthy when she gets a drop to at least the low 60's - when the temps were changing and I wasn't getting the drop she seemed more sluggish and when corrected she went back to normal. We have a drafty old house so I was able to keep the temp drops by a combination of window air conditioner and keeping in the coolest area in the house and changing her basking lights when the weather changes - She's much more sensitive to temps than my panther - and it's a constant battle.

 

[Swayne8998]

Jackson's chameleons come from the mountainous areas of Kenya, where there is nearly 100% humidity all the time and the temperatures are not that high. They should have ambient temps around 70-75 and basking temps of 75-80. They need a cool-down period at nighttime, so low to mid 60s really is ideal. Also, unlike veileds they should have a constant fog machine running. They love to sit under it and it will help maintain the humidity, along with frequent showers.

 

[CarlC]

All of the jacksoni zantholophus available come from Hawaii. To get a better understanding of the requirements needed take a look for weather reports based on the locales in Hawaii where they are collected. Here is a 10 forecast for Maui. http://weather.hawaiiactive.com/maui-weather.html

Carl

 

[brownie64]

Well after all your help I think it's safe to say I need to get the temp down to at least 65 degrees at night. So do any of you have any idea of how I can do that? Do you think my fan idea would work. Something like the little fans they mount on the top of fish tanks to cool down the water. I'm open to any ideas what do you do?

What about a cool mist humidifier think that would cool things off, or would it be too much. I wouldn't want to disturb their sleep. or worse give them an upper respiratory infection. (I just don't know) you guys are the pros here is hoping you got some ideas for me.

Jeff

 

[brownie64]

All of the jacksoni zantholophus available come from Hawaii. To get a better understanding of the requirements needed take a look for weather reports based on the locales in Hawaii where they are collected. Here is a 10 forecast for Maui. http://weather.hawaiiactive.com/maui-weather.html

Carl

Actually mine are captive bred not sure if they came from Hawaii, but from the link you gave me the temps there are about the same as in Africa. Still need to get that temp down.

 

[CarlC]

If you would like confirmation on which of the sub species you have please post a picture. I'd be more then willing to bet you have jacksonii zantholophus though just for the fact Kenya has not released for trade any wild j. zantholophus in something like 15 years. Some farmed animals came in like 10 years ago to Europe.

Contact the seller and ask them the conditions they were able to breed the adults under. If they were able to get the adults to thrive and breed the conditions were good.

Carl

 

[brownie64]

if you would like confirmation on which of the sub species you have please post a picture. I'd be more then willing to bet you have jacksonii zantholophus though just for the fact kenya has not released for trade any wild j. Zantholophus in something like 15 years. Some farmed animals came in like 10 years ago to europe.

Contact the seller and ask them the conditions they were able to breed the adults under. If they were able to get the adults to thrive and breed the conditions were good.

Carl

I will ask the pet store where they come from, however I already made sure they were captive bred before I bought them. Theoretically they could have been born inside couldn't they?

 

[Juliaf3]

Awwww I love them both!! Looks like your dude has some shed on his head. Give him a warm mist. It'll help get that off. Welcome to the club! I love Jackson! My 5 year old son is in love with the males and their triceratop-like horns. I am pretty positive he truly believes it is in fact a dinosaur haha

 

[Juliaf3]

As for night time temps- Indiana gets fairly cool in the winter correct? You definitely need a cool mist humidifier no matter what. Jackson require a lot more water/humidity then most chams. Mine is set on a timer and goes off at night. What's your set up look like? I live in Minnesota and found the temps dropped to where they needed to be in the basement. How ever, they did not warm up enough during the day so I set up a small space heater to the lights timer. It's perfect now. Do you have a basement? Our basement has been converted to another living room- bathroom-laundry room-bedroom-and toy room. He is much happier down there.

 

[CarlC]

Nice animals! They are jacksoni zantholophus. As for being truly captive bred you can only go by what the store told you. Maybe they could hook you up with the breeder.

Carl

 

[Juliaf3]

Get on you tube and watch this video. He is very good at explain everything you need to know about raising jackson! It helped me get my set up perfect, and my jackson has never looked and acted better.

 

[brownie64]

As for night time temps- Indiana gets fairly cool in the winter correct? You definitely need a cool mist humidifier no matter what. Jackson require a lot more water/humidity then most chams. Mine is set on a timer and goes off at night. What's your set up look like? I live in Minnesota and found the temps dropped to where they needed to be in the basement. How ever, they did not warm up enough during the day so I set up a small space heater to the lights timer. It's perfect now. Do you have a basement? Our basement has been converted to another living room- bathroom-laundry room-bedroom-and toy room. He is much happier down there.

Thanks for the nice comment, I have raised Veiled chameleons for over 16 years, but these are the first jax I've tried. I must say they are a little more challenging. However so far well worth it, I love their laid back gentle demeanor. In the whole time I raised Veiled there were only two that would interact with me favorably. They are a little cantankerous.

No I don't have a basement, but I believe you're right I will get a cool mist humidifier, I'm finding it really hard keeping the humidity up with just misting. especially with it being winter, and the dry forced air heat.

 

[brownie64]

Thanks

Thanks for all the help guys! I wish they had sights like this back when I first started. It really makes things easier. I'll keep you posted on how things go. I think Wally world has a humidifier on sale for $40 that would fit the bill perfectly.

 

[brownie64]

Nice animals! They are jacksoni zantholophus. As for being truly captive bred you can only go by what the store told you. Maybe they could hook you up with the breeder.

Carl

Yah I hear you there they also told me that they only sell in pairs because that's how they thrive. Now in raising Veiled I knew this wasn't the case, But since these guys were so much more gentle I thought well maybe they're right. Ha Ha guess who has to get another enclosure for my female.

I will see if they will give me the breeders name and see what happens there.

 

[Juliaf3]

Thanks for all the help guys! I wish they had sights like this back when I first started. It really makes things easier. I'll keep you posted on how things go. I think Wally world has a humidifier on sale for $40 that would fit the bill perfectly.

Did you get a chance to watch that video on you tube? Here is the humidifier I use- with added pvc pipe connected to control where exactly the cool mist is going. You don't want to engulf the whole cage. That's when you get respitory issues. Keep one side dry and warm, other side cool and moist. They will go where they needs. Your jacksons will love you for it! I just have my jackson currently, but I have a new baby coming this week! When I bought my jackson I had no idea what I was doing. Not the slightest clue. This forum saved his little life! So I most definitely agree with you on how awesome it is! I mean what works for someone in Florida-May not work for someone in say, Minnesota. Thanks to this forum, you can find someone in similar climates with the same species! It's fantastic!

 

[brownie64]

Did you get a chance to watch that video on you tube? Here is the humidifier I use- with added pvc pipe connected to control where exactly the cool mist is going. You don't want to engulf the whole cage. That's when you get respitory issues. Keep one side dry and warm, other side cool and moist. They will go where they needs. Your jacksons will love you for it! I just have my jackson currently, but I have a new baby coming this week! When I bought my jackson I had no idea what I was doing. Not the slightest clue. This forum saved his little life! So I most definitely agree with you on how awesome it is! I mean what works for someone in Florida-May not work for someone in say, Minnesota. Thanks to this forum, you can find someone in similar climates with the same species! It's fantastic!

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Yes I saw the video, since he was able to raise the young to adulthood I would say he is doing something right.

Yea that's the one they have at Walmart, now if they just stay on sale until payday. is $40 about what you gave for yours? Because if you know someone cheaper I'm all ears.

How often do you have it cycle, and for how long. I was thinking during the day with the misting system it wouldn't be necessary what do you think?

 

[Juliaf3]

Yes I saw the video, since he was able to raise the young to adulthood I would say he is doing something right.

Yea that's the one they have at Walmart, now if they just stay on sale until payday. is $40 about what you gave for yours? Because if you know someone cheaper I'm all ears.

How often do you have it cycle, and for how long. I was thinking during the day with the misting system it wouldn't be necessary what do you think?

That's what I gave for mine as well. As for run times, I say let it run all day. Not on high though. That humidifier is crazy good. Worth every penny even at full price. Medium strength is what I have mine running on. Just make sure it's on your cool/moist side of the cage. By doing this you give him options. Just like with the "basking spot" give him a cool moist spot. He will go where he is comfortable. Mine digs the cool side of the cage. I do not run it at night though. When lights go off, so does everything else.

 

[Juliaf3]

But I do not have a mist king. I stay he during the day and have a pump mister I spray the cage down with three-four times a day depending on humidity readings. Maybe someone will chime in who does have a mist king.