Its good to hear that you are learning about the chameleon and

that you are getting prepared to keep one before it arrives!

Are you getting a male or a female? Xantholophus?



Here's one article that gives some good information about the

temps and humdity, etc. for C.T. jacksonii xantholophus

(assuming that's the species you'll be getting)...

http://ADCHAM.com/html/taxonomy/species/chjacksonixanth.html



Here's another article about the chameleons in Hawaii...

http://ADCHAM.com/html/ecology/hawaii-ko.html



Why are you going to cup/container feed it? What is your cage

made of? Some people think that cup feeding contributes to

"lazy tongue". I've always free-ranged my insects because

I feel that its more natural and gives them some exercise

chasing/hunting them instead of hovering over a cup/container.

(Just my own opinion!)



You said...the cage might be on the small side...it would be

okay to start of with, but bigger is usually better.



Re: the plants in the cage...did you wash them well (tops and

undersides of the leaves)to remove insecticides and fertilizers?

I also recommend covering the soil with pebbles that are too

big to be ingested since some chameleons have been known to

ingest soil or the little white bits in the soil. Also, I don't

use any substrate with most chameleons. There is always a chance

of them ingesting it while catching an insect (those tongues are

pretty sticky!)and it might cause an impaction.



Regarding misting or use of humidifiers....they need time to

dry out in between and if you live in a cool climate area and

depending on where your cage is kept, may I caution you against

them being cold/chilled and damp and in a drafty area

when the lights go out...again, just my own opinion. (I have

heard of several chameleons ending up with fungal infections,

respiratory infections if kept in those conditions.)



Good luck with your chameleon!

[ Hide Replies ]

• Getting ready for a Jackson, have some questions - _jynx_, Mon Jul 4 07:38:26 2005
• RE: Getting ready for a Jackson, have some questions - kinyonga, Mon Jul 4 11:50:00 2005
• RE: Getting ready for a Jackson, have some questions - _jynx_, Mon Jul 4 13:19:02 2005
• RE: Getting ready for a Jackson, have some questions - wraithy, Sat Jul 16 18:15:23 2005