March 2013
Jacksons Chameleon
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Jacksons Chameleon
Chamealeo Jacksonii
Lifespan: Up to 10 years.
Size: 9 to 13 inches long.
Sexing: Males have 3 large horns on their head and are slimmer than females.
Enclosure: Jackson's Chameleons can easily be housed in a 24" by 24" by 36" tank, but prefer tall tanks to long ones.
Hiding/Climbing Spots: Chameleons love to climb. Provide a lot of plants and vines for them to climb and hide on.
Humidity: The enclosure should be well ventilated and misted well to keep the humidity high (75% to 90%) and to aid the process of shedding and prevent health problems. Use a hygrometer to maintain a constant humidity level. If housed in a mesh tank, a humidifier or fogger can help keep humidity at an acceptable level. Pisces recommends: Zoo Med Repti-Fogger
Substrate: Loose forest substrate with Sphagnum Moss in parts to help with humidity. Pisces recommends: Exo-terra Plantation Soil.
Heat: Maintain a temperature of as low as 18 °C at night to as high as 29 °C during the day (65 °F to 85 °F). Use a heat bulb on one portion of the tank so the animal can escape the warm area if they need to. Pisces recommends: ExoTerra bulbs and fixtures.
UV Lighting: Use of a full spectrum 5.0 bulb for 12 hours per day is required. Fluorescent bulbs lose effectiveness and need to be replaced every 6-8 months.
Feeding: Offer food everyday, you can skip a day without causing any harm, but do not make a habit of it. Jackson's Chameleons feed on appropriately sized crickets and also worms and will eat pinkie mice when offered (no more than 2 pinkies per month). Place food in a cup or dish for easier hunting.
Vitamins & Supplements: Dust crickets with calcium supplement every third feeding. Be sure to use a calcium supplement with Vitamin D3. Pisces recommends: Rep-Cal Herptivite Multi-Vitamin.
Handling: Jackson's can be handled, use extreme gentleness. Some may be reluctant to be handled, if they appear stressed and show a lot of black in their coloration, put them back in their terrarium and try again later.
Other: Chameleons will generally not drink still water. It is important to have running water in your terrarium. Pisces recommends: ExoTerra Waterfalls.
Salmonella: Jackson's Chameleons are low-risk carriers but precautions should still be taken.
Always:
· Wash your hands after handling your Jackson's Chameleon or any item in its enclosure.
· Keep your Jackson's Chameleon off any surface on which you would prepare or serve your own food (i.e. kitchen counters, tables etc.).
· Wash their dishes separate from your own.
Infants, children under 5 years of age, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with a compromised immune system have a greater risk of infection. Extra caution should be taken when they are in contact with any animal.
Recommended Books: Pisces recommends The Chameleon Handbook (Barron's Books).
Recommended Supplies:
Calgary, Alberta T2E 4G5
Phone: (403) 274-3314 Fax: (403) 275-6296
www.piscespets.com
Email: pisces@piscespets.com
Reprint of this handout only with permission of and full credit to Pisces Pet Emporium
Jacksons Chameleon
Chamealeo Jacksonii
Lifespan: Up to 10 years.
Size: 9 to 13 inches long.
Sexing: Males have 3 large horns on their head and are slimmer than females.
Enclosure: Jackson's Chameleons can easily be housed in a 24" by 24" by 36" tank, but prefer tall tanks to long ones.
Hiding/Climbing Spots: Chameleons love to climb. Provide a lot of plants and vines for them to climb and hide on.
Humidity: The enclosure should be well ventilated and misted well to keep the humidity high (75% to 90%) and to aid the process of shedding and prevent health problems. Use a hygrometer to maintain a constant humidity level. If housed in a mesh tank, a humidifier or fogger can help keep humidity at an acceptable level. Pisces recommends: Zoo Med Repti-Fogger
Substrate: Loose forest substrate with Sphagnum Moss in parts to help with humidity. Pisces recommends: Exo-terra Plantation Soil.
Heat: Maintain a temperature of as low as 18 °C at night to as high as 29 °C during the day (65 °F to 85 °F). Use a heat bulb on one portion of the tank so the animal can escape the warm area if they need to. Pisces recommends: ExoTerra bulbs and fixtures.
UV Lighting: Use of a full spectrum 5.0 bulb for 12 hours per day is required. Fluorescent bulbs lose effectiveness and need to be replaced every 6-8 months.
Feeding: Offer food everyday, you can skip a day without causing any harm, but do not make a habit of it. Jackson's Chameleons feed on appropriately sized crickets and also worms and will eat pinkie mice when offered (no more than 2 pinkies per month). Place food in a cup or dish for easier hunting.
Vitamins & Supplements: Dust crickets with calcium supplement every third feeding. Be sure to use a calcium supplement with Vitamin D3. Pisces recommends: Rep-Cal Herptivite Multi-Vitamin.
Handling: Jackson's can be handled, use extreme gentleness. Some may be reluctant to be handled, if they appear stressed and show a lot of black in their coloration, put them back in their terrarium and try again later.
Other: Chameleons will generally not drink still water. It is important to have running water in your terrarium. Pisces recommends: ExoTerra Waterfalls.
Salmonella: Jackson's Chameleons are low-risk carriers but precautions should still be taken.
Always:
· Wash your hands after handling your Jackson's Chameleon or any item in its enclosure.
· Keep your Jackson's Chameleon off any surface on which you would prepare or serve your own food (i.e. kitchen counters, tables etc.).
· Wash their dishes separate from your own.
Infants, children under 5 years of age, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with a compromised immune system have a greater risk of infection. Extra caution should be taken when they are in contact with any animal.
Recommended Books: Pisces recommends The Chameleon Handbook (Barron's Books).
Recommended Supplies:
- Terrarium
- Branches for climbing
- Plants
- Misting bottle
- Water dish
- Peat Moss/Sphagnum Moss
- Zoo Med Repti-Fogger
- ExoTerra Waterfall
- Heat Bulb & Fixture
- Fluorescent Light & Fixture
- Rep-Cal Herptivite Multi-Vitamin
- Rep-Cal Calcium Supplement
- Crickets
- Thermometer
- Hygrometer
Your New Pet: It is the responsibility of any pet owner to provide their pet with regular veterinary care to maintain their pet's health and to prevent illness.
Should you experience any problems with your new pet, contact Pisces Pet Emporium. We will make every effort to assist you but we may refer you to a qualified veterinarian if the problem is beyond our ability to treat.
A pet is a large responsibility and should not be purchased without due consideration. Pets should never be released into the wild.
4921 Skyline Way N.E.
Calgary, Alberta T2E 4G5
Phone: (403) 274-3314 Fax: (403) 275-6296
www.piscespets.com
Email: pisces@piscespets.com
Reprint of this handout only with permission of and full credit to Pisces Pet Emporium
