Jackson's Chameleon Care Guide

LIFE SPAN

4-10 years. Males live much longer than females

AVERAGE SIZE

11-17 inches long

CAGE TEMPERATURE

Basking spot: 82-85°F

Day Temps: 70-80°F

Night Temps: Not to drop below 65°F

HUMIDITY

50-80%

NORMAL BEHAVIOR & INTERACTION

Jackson’s Chameleons are gentle lizards that are known for the three horns that protrude from the male’s face. They get very stressed from being handled, so it is not recommended. These chameleons are diurnal so they are primary awake during the day. Jackson’s Chameleons are territorial and should never be housed together.

FEEDING

Insectivores that will occasionally munch on leafy greens. Jackson’s Chameleons should be offered a variety of different gut loaded feeder insects to maintain a healthy diet. 

SUPPLEMENTS

Dust foods with calcium and vitamin supplements as recommended by your veterinarian. As a general rule juvenile animals require less calcium and supplements as adults.

WATER

A bowl of clean fresh chlorine-free water must always be available. Chameleons don’t seem to recognize standing water as water, so the water source must be “moving.” Most of them drink their water from water droplets on leaves. A daily misting or two with chlorine free water will also be appreciated.

ENCLOSURE 

A Jackson’s Chameleon should be kept in a screen terrarium at least 24 x 24 x 36 inches in size. A vertical space is most important for this arboreal species.

SUBSTRATE

We recommend a reptile carpet or coconut fiber substrate.

BRANCHES & PLANTS

Jackson’s Chameleons must be provided with plenty of climbing branches. Provide enough branches to offer sleeping spots, basking spots and perches. Live plants can help increase the humidity in your chameleon’s enclosure and offer cover for hiding and security.

UVB LIGHT

Jackson’s Chameleons MUST be exposed to UVB lighting 8-12 hours a day. This exposure is CRITICAL in allowing the animal to synthesize vitamin D3 and absorb calcium.

DAY/NIGHT CYCLES & HEATING

All chameleons must have distinct day and night periods in their enclosure to maintain their biological rhythms. Jackson’s Chameleons need 8-12 hours of daytime and nighttime.

HABITAT MAINTENANCE

Daily maintenance should consist of spot cleaning by removing soiled substrate, cleaning water bowl thoroughly and wiping glass clean. The entire tank should be cleaned thoroughly at least once every month.

RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES

• 24” x 24” x 36” terrarium or larger
• Large dome & appropriately sized heat light
• Fluorescent UVB bulb & housing
• Temperature/humidity gauge
• Reptile carpet or Coconut fiber substrate
• Vines and Branches for climbing
• Multiple live or artificial plants & to hide and climb in (reptilesafe)
• Dripper or fog system
• Water bowl
• Perch height food dish
• Live food
• Water dechlorinate drops
• Spray bottle

Vet Approved

Our Care Guides are designed to assist in general knowledge and requirements for the care of your new family member. We strongly encourage further research and consultation with your veterinarian on the complete and proper care of any new pet.

For more information visit petsuppliesplus.com, cdc.gov/healthypets or contact your veterinarian.

Always wash your hands before and after handling your pet or cleaning its habitat, and remember that any pet can scratch, bite or transmit disease to humans.

For pregnant women, persons with compromised immune systems, or if you have children under the age of 5, we strongly recommend contacting your physician prior to purchasing or caring for a new pet.

Please see the Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov/healthypets for more information.