Really worried

[Shawnschamelion]

I've now had my fudge for a week but he does not seem to be Happy. The only time he turns green is when he's asleep. From the instant he wakes up until he falls asleep he is black.. very very dark. Because of this I don't try to handle him and I'm starting to get worried. I figured he would of been settled down by now. Any help would've greatly appreciated

 

[Shawnschamelion]

Sry my phone sucks.

 

[ali9021]

The same thing happened with my little darling, its usually stress or the temperatures are wrong

 

[Shawnschamelion]

My temps are right on so it's def stress. I'm just at the point I think it might be beneficial to return him so he's not this stress. I'm at a loss..

 

[ali9021]

He will start to chill out, I don't handle mine yet, it's been a month but he explores my room when I am home now and shows more colors. Try hand feeding him

 

[Shawnschamelion]

When I open the cage he does not like it . He instantly heads in the other direction. When I first got him he was green and eating plentiful but now he does not eat. I haven't seen him eat in days and I'm just worried about the little guy. I feel terrible

 

[jajeanpierre]

I've now had my fudge for a week but he does not seem to be Happy. The only time he turns green is when he's asleep. From the instant he wakes up until he falls asleep he is black.. very very dark. Because of this I don't try to handle him and I'm starting to get worried. I figured he would of been settled down by now. Any help would've greatly appreciated

Pictures of the chameleon and the cage would help a lot.

If he feels vulnerable, he will be stressed. Stuff the cage full of live plants with lots of places for him to hide deep in the foliage. The foliage needs to go from the bottom of the cage (or at the least, from the middle) to the top. Make sure he can get in and around inside the plant. You want plants that have branches and are somewhat open. A big mass of plant whether live or plastic does not offer the security of cover especially is if is at the bottom of the cage.

Improper temperature and lighting can be the problem, too.

Pictures would really help.

 

[Shawnschamelion]

OK here's some pics... don't know how old he is I got him from petco. I have the zoo me dual lighting system. And inter back I have a 18 zilla tropical uva uvb. Also I have a spray bottle I spray him once a day and use the repti fogger twice daily. Use reg calcium with no vit d and use the rep cal with vit d 3 once a week. Feeding the crickets flukers high calcium cricket diet. Also I have meal and superworms but he does not seem interested. Ahhhhhh!!!

 

[Shawnschamelion]

Here's the cage

 

[Shawnschamelion]

Here he is. Sorry it's a bad pic. When I'm able to I'll post another photo of him

 

[Jwillchamel]

Ok so you got him from petco remember jacksons are montane so its dif temps then most other cams you also should be misting 3 times aday for atleast 3min each and humidity should be between 75 to 95% at all times now im not an expert on jacksons but there are alot of people on her that are so use the care sheets and follow perfectly and when he gets comfortable it will get better it takes time there is a wealth of knowledge on her use that search bar and read read read

Here he is. Sorry it's a bad pic. When I'm able to I'll post another photo of him

 

[Extensionofgreen]

Most jacksons are also wild caught and a fecal exam from a vet would not hurt, especially if he is not eating. I'm relieved and impressed by your set up, as it seems well done and that is unusual amongst new keepers, so kudos.
Chameleons will frequently get bored or tire of certain foods for one reason or another and these hunger strikes can come and go. Try blue bottle flies and give a call to one of the hornworm sellers and ask for smaller ones, as these 2 feeders tend to entice the pickiest of eaters.
Jacksons, at least in my experience, tend to be pretty calm and relaxed as males, so just stay the course, eliminate potential concerns ( run the fecal/change feeders ) and you will be rewarded with a very enjoyable species.

 

[jajeanpierre]

I doubt this Jacksons is getting near enough humidity/fluids with one hand spray a day and a fogger.

He is undoubtedly a wild caught and they are fraught with problems. You need to leave him alone and make sure your temps are perfect for the species. You should probably keep him more humid.

I can't imagine how anyone can keep any chameleons, especially a montane species that needs high humidity, without an automatic mister. You probably can get by with a fogger, but he probably would appreciate fog almost constantly. (I'm not a Jackson's person but I do have a lot of experience withe wild caught montanes that want a lot of humidity.) Live plants would help a lot with your humidity levels.

Good luck. Wild caughts need special care to get them over the shock and damage of capture and transport. Do not even think of handling him for months. Wild caughts are incredibly stressed and fragile animals. They don't even want you to look at them.

 

[Shawnschamelion]

OK great thanks for the info.. the fogger does put off a lot of water and leave it on for at least one to two hrs at a time. Also soak him very heavily when I spray him. I will spray him twice a day instead of once to keep up the humidity. Thanks for the knowledge and kudos I really appreciate it

 

[Extensionofgreen]

I didn't notice the watering schedule. Absolutely, a mist system is a must.

 

[Shawnschamelion]

Also I forgot to mention I have the little dripper available to him to. This is his watering schedule. 730am soaked heavy with spray bottle . Around 10 the fogger for a little over an HR. 1230 full soak again.. 400 full soak and then 630 fogger again.. I know the mister would be great but I'm here everyday to give him this routine. I think this should be plenty.. any thoughts??

 

[Jwillchamel]

Do you have something to watch humidityand temps whats basking temp and ambient temperature?

Also I forgot to mention I have the little dripper available to him to. This is his watering schedule. 730am soaked heavy with spray bottle . Around 10 the fogger for a little over an HR. 1230 full soak again.. 400 full soak and then 630 fogger again.. I know the mister would be great but I'm here everyday to give him this routine. I think this should be plenty.. any thoughts??

 

[Shawnschamelion]

Yes I do I have the zilla temp and humidity Gage. His basking is right around 83. And his humidity is 70 to 75 I feel like I was being told to get one for the better and I do want the best for fudge so I bought him this ten min ago.