Reptile & Amphibian Forums

A local hobbyist has donated a female jackson chameleon to our middle school. We would like to breed her in our life science course. Anyone here have a suggestion as to where we could go to get a male? This could be the "birth" of a herpetology club!

Where are you and did you ask the hobbyist? Just be aware that you can't house the two together generally. If you go ahead and buy a male you'll need 2 complete setups for the pair. If the female has been with a male before you got her there is a chance she's already gravid. I don't think you will be able to "borrow" a male just for mating. If the female isn't receptive (and it can be difficult to know when the time is right unless she can react to a male) it can take several "visits" over a month or so. Check with a state herp society to see if they have any contacts.

We are in middle Tennessee. The male the hobbyist had died and he did not want the femal anymore - too much trouble. She had dropped 5 offspring with him. She does not show any signs/coloring of being gravid, but she could be. We are going to set up something for her and I can come by on the weekends for care and maintenance issues. The set-up would be on a timer.

Another thing to keep in mind. Jackson's are live bearers not egg layers. When she gives birth there you will need to have someone present to take care of both the mother and the off spring. This forum is an excelent place to get that information. Once you are sure the female is gravid, put up a calender counting down from 6 months for your students. They usually give birth in the morning-but not always. It could be a Saturday or Sunday too.
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Steve A. Rowell
1.1.13 Jackson's
1.2 Veiled