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Thanks to all who replied to my earlier post "Unprepared, etc.". All 14 are still doing well, pounding fruit flies and pin heads. They are way more aggressive in their feeding than are the adults and their metabolic rate is much higher based upon their constant roaming.

Hopefully I'll get them through this all too important 1st two weeks!!

Bill

Awwwwwww....

Looks like its goin' good. Just make sure to keep the hydrated. Water is the most important part.

Good luck, and keep us posted

Ank-Inc.
Adam.

The first 3 months are VERY crucial. Baby jacksons are in that 'DANGER ZONE' for the 3 full months. It's happened with us, where we're just chugging along, all systems go, everything is great, then BAM!!! Sudden baby Jackson death.
Can't even begin to explain the feelings of guilt and frustration when this happens. You do your best with these little guys, they're eating, they're healthy, then you go in and find a dead guy (sometimes with his tongue sticking out), then two more, then HALF of the clutch gone- just like that.
You go over your list, you check your lights, you check for nematodes in the crickets, you question your husbandry, and still come up with nothing. No reason for it, but you just lost half your clutch in the span of a few days.
I don't want to come off as pessimistic, though I know this post is coming off pretty dark. I guess what I'm trying to say is: try your best, but be prepared for the worst. Take your failures as learning lessons and they won't be failures in vain.
I really do wish you the best of luck with your baby jacksons. We're rooting for you!
>>Thanks to all who replied to my earlier post "Unprepared, etc.". All 14 are still doing well, pounding fruit flies and pin heads. They are way more aggressive in their feeding than are the adults and their metabolic rate is much higher based upon their constant roaming.
>>
>>Hopefully I'll get them through this all too important 1st two weeks!!
>>
>>Bill
>>
>>
>>
-----
Victor Gomez
gomezvi@yahoo.com

Thanks,

I know its going be to touch-n-go for a long time. The compartmentalized cage is done and I'm going to separate them by app. size into groups of 3-4. Man, they hate being misted! They all scramble like crazy to the bottom then gradually return after a time. My plan is to move them this one time then no interaction besides feeding/misting. No heat lamp, just 78F ambient w/a Reptisun 2.0 for lighting. What did you learn from the demise of your babies that could help mine??

Thanks again,

Bill

>>What did you learn from the demise of your babies that could help mine??
Compartmentalization is vital for the survival of baby jackson chameleons. Running 3-4 babies per compartment is fine for veileds and panthers, but may not be enough for Jacksons.
And... despite our best efforts, sometimes they just will not survive.
Pat yourself on the back for your successes, and don't take it your failures too hard.
-----
Victor Gomez
gomezvi@yahoo.com

I just built a new cage - all screens w/4 9"x10" compartments (common walls). Should I just leave well enough alone and keep them all together? Would the stress of a new cage increase their chances of crashing?

Bill