jacksons chameleon

[basky]

does anyone know a reputable chameleon breeder. i've been after a jacksons cham for years and finally decided i'm goina build my own cage to make sure it'll all be perfect. wanted to speak to someone thats owned one, cause experience is often better than books
any help would be useful

[welshgaz]

Jacksonii I think are really hard to come buy in this country. I've never seen one anyway!

I know a few people here have contacts in europe where they might be able to help you out.... Put an advert up in teh classified section might help

[basky]

oh typical, trust me.
thanks for advice will do it now

[BELIAL]

had a pair for sale a year ago! but your a little too late!
there are a couple of people that have some adults..dont' know of anyone with babies at the mo..will send a few mails and see..
lovely chams though...how come you gone for jacksons?

[basky]

i don't no what it is with them just saw them and fell in love. can you give me any advice on the best set up for them as i'm goina build my own so can do anything with in reason. ive read black vivs are better as they dont reflect uv as bad and not to use substate etc..... any advice is greatly appreciated.
oh p.s what did you think of them compared to other chams?

[BELIAL]

their colours aren't as vibrant as some i.e panthers/yemens/carpets but they are still pretty cool to look at..all to do with the horns! does it for me everytime!

you could keep a pair together as they are not an aggressive species but unless you want babies and the hassle of possibly having to split them i would just get a male..one of the cool things though is that they are live bearers...very cool to watch!

daily temps should be between 27/28 C with a substantial drop in temp at night try and get a fluctuation of about 10C.
they need regular spraying x2 should do it morning and evening. try and get 80% humidity in the morning and about 60% average throughout the day. this can be accomplished by a live plants in the viv and a good ole spray (not the chams themselves though!)

as for size of viv bigger the better min of 3x3x2 for a pair...

black viv? no need for black would make it very dark... just make one out of conti board that matches the furniture in your room!! remember taller is better...

they are a great cham overall..just be aware that they are harder than some to look after (yemens) and if you have not had chams before they may not be great as a first choice. don't get me wrong they are easy to look after on the cham scale but no chameleon is easy! you learn all the time! even i am still learning and i have a fair few!!!!

[BELIAL]

oh forgot... i use substrate in all my vivs..there are a variety of things you can use for jacksons you want either a compost/moss base or something like orchid bark..helps with the humidity..

the reason people say not to use substrate is because the chams could accidentally swallow some (stoopid cham!)/holds bacteria( clean it out often!!)/ and they dont go on the floor, so why do they need it?

there are only two real reasons to have substrate: helps humidity. looks good...

[welshgaz]

Jacksonii are probably considered to be the hardest cham' to keep... They need good ventalation as all cham's do but they are very subseptable to incorrect temps and especially humidity.

Personally I don'y use substrate for my cham's viv. I find the amount of water that passes through just gives me a right ballache!

[basky]

brilliant thanks guys, very helpful

[BELIAL]

they aren't that hard! you try looking after a furcifer lobardi or chamealeo wiedersheimi then you'll know hard!!!
but you right WG they are not really a 'beginner' cham. they are just one of the harder chams that are commonly available..(well sometimes available!! :wink: )