Hi all. I am new to Chameleons but not to high maintenance pets. In the past I have had some coral reef tanks that required me to be pretty OCD about care. I was given a male Jackson's from a friend who is moving away and can't take him with. He is a little stressed and was not in the most capable care before so I want some ideas for how to get him back to 100%. I looked over the forums for a couple days. I'm sure lots of this has been covered somewhere, sorry for asking repeat questions. I would appreciate any insight you guys have on this.
Temp: I live in Hawaii on the Big Island in the range they have moved into. I don't think I need to control temp much. days are 75-80 F and nightly lows are 65-70 F
Cage: He is currently in an ugly tiny bird cage in my yard because thats what he came in. I just ordered him a nice 18x18x36" screened enclosure. I got him a gardenia & a hibiscus for the new house.
Health: Yesterday I put him in a Rubbermaid box and he ate 3 big crickets so at least he is eating ok. I'd like to see him gain some weight tho, and to get a few bug cultures going. All I can get at my local pet store is crickets. Also need to know more about any standard parasite meds. I assume he was wild caught and has probably never been wormed.
Light: I think the sun is enough? If he is here does he need any vitamin D supplements? Minerals? Is full sun with plants for shade good or should I keep him under the car port so he isn't singed? I want to give him the ability to thermoregulate as he wants.
Water: Is it ok if I just let him get rained on? That was kind of my watering strategy because it showers morning and evening here. I covered half his cage for now in case he wants to stay dry.
long term plan, after I establish that he is stable & healthy: I have a spare walk in dog kennel 6'x6'x8' with like 1" mesh welded wire sides. I don't think he could get out of that but it will need a little more work to set it up. I was thinking maybe an orange or a tangerine tree for it as well as other smaller plants. Could he share that much space with a girl or two? how could I control food & prevent it from escaping in a situation like that?
Ethics: Yes he was probably wild. I could just let him go. I don't want to because I see big pretty Jackson's killed by cars and by cats & feral chickens every day here. I feel like he is already stressed and I would not want to release a compromised animal, and they are not a native species. I like him and I want to help him.
Thanks for any insight you guys have.
Temp: I live in Hawaii on the Big Island in the range they have moved into. I don't think I need to control temp much. days are 75-80 F and nightly lows are 65-70 F
Cage: He is currently in an ugly tiny bird cage in my yard because thats what he came in. I just ordered him a nice 18x18x36" screened enclosure. I got him a gardenia & a hibiscus for the new house.
Health: Yesterday I put him in a Rubbermaid box and he ate 3 big crickets so at least he is eating ok. I'd like to see him gain some weight tho, and to get a few bug cultures going. All I can get at my local pet store is crickets. Also need to know more about any standard parasite meds. I assume he was wild caught and has probably never been wormed.
Light: I think the sun is enough? If he is here does he need any vitamin D supplements? Minerals? Is full sun with plants for shade good or should I keep him under the car port so he isn't singed? I want to give him the ability to thermoregulate as he wants.
Water: Is it ok if I just let him get rained on? That was kind of my watering strategy because it showers morning and evening here. I covered half his cage for now in case he wants to stay dry.
long term plan, after I establish that he is stable & healthy: I have a spare walk in dog kennel 6'x6'x8' with like 1" mesh welded wire sides. I don't think he could get out of that but it will need a little more work to set it up. I was thinking maybe an orange or a tangerine tree for it as well as other smaller plants. Could he share that much space with a girl or two? how could I control food & prevent it from escaping in a situation like that?
Ethics: Yes he was probably wild. I could just let him go. I don't want to because I see big pretty Jackson's killed by cars and by cats & feral chickens every day here. I feel like he is already stressed and I would not want to release a compromised animal, and they are not a native species. I like him and I want to help him.
Thanks for any insight you guys have.
