Jackson's Chameleon

[daftperception]

ok I've been thinking about maybe getting a lizard in the future and i like chameleons and I've been doing some research and im leaning towards the Jackson's Chameleon can anyone tell me about there personal experiences with them.thanks

[gozetec02]

I don't own a Jacksons chameleon but i have heard that they required very specific care i.e. misting systems and such. I have a Veiled Chameleon and would recomend one of these as a beginner chameleon. Chameleons are a whole different lizard. The most common problem encountered with chameleons is dehydration. Since they don't drink from a bowl they depend on other sources like water dripping on leaves and they also get moisture from the food that they eat. It is also important that you give the crickets food that will keep them full and hydrated. But both these animals do very well in captivity if given the correct conditions. But i have to stress that getting your Chameleon from a reputable breeder or supply store.

Here is an exelent caresheet on Veiled Chameleons.
http://www.kingsnake.com/rockymounta.../RMHveiled.htm
Here is an very good site on Jackson's Chameleons.
http://www.kingsnake.com/rockymounta.../RMHveiled.htm

[JamminJonah]

I read on these forums that a good trick for the dew or drip drinking critters is to put ice cubes on the lid (if it is screen) that way as they melt they drip. I think it was like soul of fire or something who suggested this but it sounds like a great idea to me!

[gozetec02]

You can do that. I put one every morning. But the first chance i get i am getting one of those drippers.

[MJ]

Jackson's rock all that is rockable

Once you get their care down, get on a schedule of the stuff you have to do for them, it gets pretty easy. It definitely helps to have their lights on a timer (I have the UV go off before the heat lamp at night and then the UV on first in the morning) and also to have either a waterfall or ultrasonic fogger in the cage to keep the humidity at a decent level. Broad leafed plants are good to have because this is pretty much the only thing they'll drink off of (I mist mine several times a day-- I never had good luck with drippers). Mine are a funny pair... they're like old people: they go to sleep at like 7pm, hehe.


My little girl Chamile... clever name, eh?


And my big boy Zander... the males are definitely the coolest!

I can talk about them forever...

[daftperception]

how long do chameleons live :?: thanks

[gozetec02]

They can live as along as 7 years but 4 to 5 being the norm. Females live somewhat shorter lives. This holds true for Veileds i dont know for Jackson's.

[gozetec02]

Oh as far as misting. You know those personal misters that you can buy from walmart. I got one yesterday turned it on this morning and it works great. You fill the bottle up with watter and pump it up, then you turn the valve to half way of full on. It lasts around 10 minutes if you pump it up full. It great because it lets our a very fine mist that collects on plants and waters the plant and provides drinking water for your chameleon. It also has a clip so you can hang it inside the cage or you can run the hose that it comes with into the tank.

Here is what it looks like.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...310762548&rd=1

Here is what it lookslike