Jackson’s chameleon, named after the ornithologist and governor of Kenya, Fredrick Jackson, is a great exotic pet. These lizards were found initially in East Africa, but now they are also found in parts of the USA like California and Hawaii. These reptiles go from being brown when young to green as adults. They also develop blue and yellow markings on their bodies. They can grow to about 12 inches on average. Pet Jackson’s chameleons can live up to ten years if you give them proper care.
You can visit sites like https://www.topflightdubia.com/caring-for-a-jackson-chameleon for more information. Here are some things to know.
Avoid Handling Them Too Much
You should not handle them or pet them too often. Instead, admire your pet as it plays and moves about in its enclosure. Too much physical contact is stressful for it.
Right Enclosure
Unlike other reptiles, you should never house Jackson’s chameleon in a glass tank. Mesh enclosures are ideal for them as they provide adequate ventilation. The pen should also have some height as they love to climb. You can keep it outdoors, but away from too much direct sunlight.
Make sure that mold does not grow in the enclosure as it can affect their skin. Use paper towels to clean the chamber as they do not leave behind any residue. You can also keep plants like dracaena and hibiscus inside the cage. These are non-toxic plants and safe for climbing.
Heating and Lighting
The ideal temperature for Jackson’s chameleon is 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The basking spot can be around 85 degrees during the day night. At night, the temperature should be ideally about 60 degrees.
If your room temperature goes below that, you can use a basking light or a ceramic heating element. Keep it a little away from the enclosure to prevent overheating. Use full-spectrum ultraviolet light, and you can keep it on for 10 to 12 hours a day. A mix of sunshine and UV light is best for their lifecycle.
Diet
Jackson’s chameleon should be hydrated enough, with humidity of 50 to 80%. The plant in the enclosure will do most of the task, but you can also keep a shallow bowl of water inside. Spray the enclosure with mist every two or three days. The chameleon will mostly lick the water off the plant surfaces.
Jackson’s chameleon mostly feeds on insects, and you can give almost any kind to them. The best ones for them are crickets, flies, roaches, grasshoppers, silkworms, and mealworms. Ensure that they do not feed on wild insects as they can be laced with pesticides. You should also avoid bugs and fireflies as they can be toxic.
Please make sure the insects you feed them are gut-loaded. If you see your chameleon rounding up, refrain from providing them too often. Stick to a time of feeding. Do not use large insects in case your lizard is still young. Get your pet’s food from reputed places for perfect nutrition.
Jackson’s chameleon can suffer from respiratory infections from time to time so keep their enclosure clean. Keep away mold and fungus too. Make sure you take it to a reptile vet from time to time for a checkup so that you can be sure of his good health.
