Want to make sure everything's okay

[boosh96]

I'm just outlining how I'm caring for Handsome Jack so you all can point out anything that needs to change. Here goes:

Temperature gradient: Mid-70's ambient, 84 degree basking spot

Lights: Basking bulb and fluorescent UVB bulb

Cage size: 27 x 17 x 37" homemade cage

Furnishings and stuff: Potted Schefflera arboricola and several sanitized branches so he can go where he wants

Food: I've been offering Dubia nymphs, he's still not interested in food. I got him on Sunday, so I've been told I don't have reason to worry just yet.

Supplementation: When he starts eating I'm planning on alternating between Calcium+D3 and vitamin supplements, every other feeding.

Humidity/Water: I haven't gotten any exact humidity readings, but he currently has a dripper and is misted several times a day. I think the live plant is supposed to help with humidity as well.

Handling: I just handled him on Sunday to move him into his new home.

How's everything look so far? Any questions, comments, concerns?

 

[CLP]

I'm just outlining how I'm caring for Handsome Jack so you all can point out anything that needs to change. Here goes:

Temperature gradient: Mid-70's ambient, 84 degree basking spot

Lights: Basking bulb and fluorescent UVB bulb

Cage size: 27 x 17 x 37" homemade cage

Furnishings and stuff: Potted Schefflera arboricola and several sanitized branches so he can go where he wants

Food: I've been offering Dubia nymphs, he's still not interested in food. I got him on Sunday, so I've been told I don't have reason to worry just yet.

Supplementation: When he starts eating I'm planning on alternating between Calcium+D3 and vitamin supplements, every other feeding.

Humidity/Water: I haven't gotten any exact humidity readings, but he currently has a dripper and is misted several times a day. I think the live plant is supposed to help with humidity as well.

Handling: I just handled him on Sunday to move him into his new home.

How's everything look so far? Any questions, comments, concerns?

A picture would be helpful as well. First thing that jumps out at me is your supplementation. You don't want to use calcium +D3 and multivitamins more than twice a month or you will oversupplement which can cause organ damage. Use plain calcium - no D3 the rest of the time.

Also, with the jacksons you need a higher humidity than some of the other common species. I would make sure you buy a good gauge to make sure you're keeping the humidity where it needs to be.

Finally, make sure you read up on proper gutloading (see sandrachameleons blog) and ensure he gets lots of variety in his diet (i.e. lots of different kinds of feeders). Good luck with him, and we'd love to see pictures!

 

[boosh96]

Alrighty, I'll get ahold of a good hygrometer and keep the Calcium+D3 and multivitamins to twice a month, as well as gutloading and adding variety. Thanks for the input!

Here's a link to his picture thread:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/handsome-jacks-picture-thread-118003/

 

[Solid Snake]

Is Handsome Jack a jacksons chameleon?

If so, Id recommend using a light dusting of calcium with all feeders. By light, I mean if you put the feeders in a jar, and add some calcium powder, and swish them, there should be no calcium powder in the bottom of the jar, and just enough on the feeders that you can tell they do have it on them.

D3 and Multi should be kept at once, every 6 weeks.

They are really easily overdosed on the D3.

Here is the site recommended caresheet for a jacksons chameleon:https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/jacksons/

It recommends once a month for the D3 and multi, and twice a week for the calcium.

This is fine, and will likely result in a healthy animal.

However, the calcium to phosphorous ratio in most feeders is (supposedly) something like 1:2, respectfully. The ratio for proper calcium absorption is the opposite, 2:1. Thus, I recommend having a very small amount on each feeder, thereby giving it the proper ratio for absorption. It does not take much to do this understand. There isnt much phos. or cal. in the feeder insect as it is, so a ton of dusting is unnecessary, and will likely result in health issues.

On days that you do give d3 or multi, give it by dusting one feeder insect with it.

If your chameleon gets to go outside for more than 8hrs a week, no D3 supplement is necessary.

Ive provided the site recommended caresheet, as well as my own opinions. They differ. Neither is gospel, but neither is detrimental.