Chamaeleo jacksonii
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| Jackson's Chameleon | ||||||||||||||||
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| Chamaeleo jacksonii Boulenger, 1896 |
Chamaeleo jacksonii (common names Jackson's Chameleon or Three-horned Chameleon) is an African chameleon belonging to the chameleon family (Chamaeleonidae).
There are three subspecies:
- Chamaeleo jacksonii jacksonii Boulanger 1896 : Jackson's Chameleon
- Chamaeleo jacksonii merumontanus Rand 1958 : Dwarf Jackson's Chameleon
- Chamaeleo jacksonii xantholophus Eason, Ferguson & Hebrard 1988 : Yellow-crested Jackson's Chameleon
They are native to the humid, cooler regions of Kenya and Tanzania, East Africa, found in great numbers at altitudes over 3,000 m. The subspecies merumontanus can only be found on Mt. Meru and the Arusha districts of Tanzania. The subspecies xantholophus was introduced to Hawaii in the 1970's and has since established a large feral population. This population was the primary source of Jackson's Chameleons for the exotic pet trade. However, the exportation of these animals (and many others) from Hawaii for the pet trade has been made illegal to prevent opportunists from willfully establishing further feral animal populations in order to capture and sell them.
These are small to medium sized chameleons. Their adult size is 12 inches (30 cm) in total length. They have a saw-tooth shaped dorsal ridge. There is no gullar crest. They attain maturity after five months. The lifespan is variable, with males generally living longer than females.
Most chameleons are oviparous, but Jackson's Chameleon gives birth to live offspring: 8 to 30 live young are born after a five to six month gestation. The subspecies merumontanus gives birth to 5-10 live young.
They are sometimes called Three-horned Chameleons because males possess three brown horns: one on the nose (the rostral horn) and one above each orbital ridges around the eyes (preocular horns), like Triceratops. The female generally have no horns, or traces of the rostral horn (in the subspecies jacksonii and merumontanus). The colouring is usually bright green, with some individual animals having traces of blue and yellow, but like all chameleons it changes quickly depending on mood, health, and temperature.
Jackson's chameleons live primarily on a diet of small insects. They are less territorial than most species of chameleons. Males will generally assert dominance over each other through color displays and posturing in an attempt to secure mating rights, but usually not to the point of physical fights.
[edit] Captive care
EASE OF CARE : Experience required. Provide a weekly dose of vitamin/mineral supplement.
TEMPERAMENT : This is a relatively social species but males are territorial and should not be kept together once sexually mature. Handle carefully and only when necessary.
VIVARIUM SETUP : Tall, well ventilated and roomy vivarium made preferably from screen to allow optimum ventilation. Montane-type climate. Provide sturdy climbing branches, hiding places and plant the vivarium heavily with live plants such as pothos, ficus benjamina, sheflerra, and hibiscus. Mist the vivarium several times a day to maintain a high humidity and provide fluid intake. Moderate to cool temperatures. Day time temperature 77F/25C, night time 61F/16C. Relative humidity of 80% plus. A humidifier will also help.
LIFE SPAN - Jackson's Chameleon will live 5+ years with proper care Jackson's chameleon general information
