Can I Take Care Of A Jackson's Chameleon?

Do you mind having a pet you won't be able to interact with much?

Can you provide a tall mesh enclosure for Jackson's chameleon?

Can you provide and take care of sturdy, non-toxic plants in your chameleon's enclosure?

Can you maintain an adequate temperature for Jackson's chameleon (70 to 80 degrees F during the day, with a basking spot of no more than 85 F)?

Can you maintain adequate humidity for Jackson's chameleon (50 to 80 percent)?

Can you provide a full-spectrum ultraviolet (UVA/UVB) light source?

Can you provide a variety of insects for Jackson's chameleon?

Do you have an exotics veterinarian that specializes in reptilians?

Handling is stressful to Jackson's chameleons, so as with other chameleons, they are pets better suited to being watched than handled.

Chameleons should never be kept in a glass terrarium. They need the ventilation provided by a mesh enclosure; fine metal or fiberglass mesh is not recommended. Vertical space is essential since chameleons like to climb high up off the ground. An outdoor cage can be used when the weather is warm enough, as long as overheating is prevented.

Owners should provide lots of sturdy non-toxic plants and branches for their chameleon to climb on. Ficus trees have often been used in chameleon housing but require some caution as the sap can be irritating. Other plants owners use include pothos, hibiscus, and dracaena. Artificial plants may also be added, artificial vines work well.

For Jackson's chameleons, a daytime temperature gradient of about 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit should be provided, with a basking spot up to a maximum of 85 degrees Fahrenheit. At night, they should have a temperature drop of about 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, so heating at night may not be required if your home's temperature doesn't fall below 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Heating is best accomplished by using a basking or incandescent light in a reflector or a ceramic heat element, any of which should be placed outside of the cage to prevent burns.

Jackson's chameleons need a humidity level of 50 to 80 percent. This can be accomplished by misting the plants in the enclosure regularly (at least twice daily) and through the use of a drip or misting system. Chameleons rarely drink from a water bowl, but they will lap up droplets of water off plants. The misting and a drip system also serve as water sources. Owners should position a drip system so that the water droplets cascade over the plants in the enclosure. They should also invest in a hygrometer to measure the humidity.

Chameleons need a full-spectrum ultraviolet (UVA/UVB) light source, so owners should invest in a good bulb. Owners should keep the UV light on for 10 to 12 hours per day. These bulbs need to be replaced every six months or based on the manufacturer's recommendations.

Chameleons are insectivores, so they should be fed a variety of insects. Crickets are usually the mainstay of the diet but mealworms, super worms, waxworms (all in limited quantities), roaches, silkworms, flies, fruit flies (for young chameleons), and grasshoppers can also be fed. Wild-caught insects should only be fed if you are certain they have not been exposed to pesticides, and always avoid fireflies. All insects should be gut loaded before feeding them to your chameleon.

You can take care of Jackson's chameleon!

Parasitic infections are very common in insectivores, especially if the animal is stressed or ill. As with most reptiles, Jackson's chameleons are prone to respiratory infections and fungal infections. These conditions should receive care from a reptile veterinarian.