How long do Jackson's Chameleons live?
Males live about 5-10 years and females shorter (often 3-5 years after reproductive strain); they reach 9-13 inches (23-33 cm), with males horned and heavier at 100-160 grams.
What do Jackson's Chameleons eat?
They are insectivores: crickets, roaches, and small locusts, gut-loaded and dusted with calcium most feedings and a D3 multivitamin weekly. Feed juveniles daily and adults every other day. They need moving water from misting or a drip system and will not use a bowl. Avoid wild-caught insects.
Jackson's Chameleon enclosure setup
A tall screen cage at least 24x24x36-48 inches (60x60x90-120 cm) planted with foliage suits them. Keep it COOL: basking 80-85°F (27-29°C), ambient 65-75°F (18-24°C), with a drop at night to 55-65°F (13-18°C). Humidity 50-80% with regular misting. A 5-6% T5 UVB is needed but not intense; replace yearly. Good airflow is critical.
Common mistakes with Jackson's Chameleons
Top errors: running them too warm (heat stress and death — they want cool highlands), glass tanks (resp infection), cohousing (stress), and dehydration from no moving water.
Beginner mistakes to avoid
- Too-warm enclosure — Jackson's are cool-climate and overheat fast.
- Glass tank, still air — respiratory infection.
- Cohabiting — solitary and stress-prone.
- No drip/mist water — dehydration.