Jackson Chameleon Habitat

Natural Habitat

• Unlike other chameleons that are distributed in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and the Mediterranean, Jackson chameleons are found in the forests and mountain thickets of Kenya and Tanzania. The climate of Kenya̵7;s mountainous regions is cool, at 65 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas, compared to the 80-degree Fahrenheit tropical temperatures of the coast. In Tanzania, coastal areas also host tropical conditions, whereas highland areas are semi-temperate. Jackson chameleons are primarily tree dwellers that are virtually only found at ground level for reproductive activity.

Indoor Environments

• As exotic pets, Jackson chameleons are found in homes worldwide. They need an enclosed living area -- such as a cage -- of at least two feet long, two feet wide and the highest possible height that space allows, since Jackson chameleons are avid climbers. As with any exotic pet, creating an environment that mimics its natural habitat contributes to the well being of the pet. While Jackson chameleons live up to 10 years in the wild, they usually live five years or less in captivity.

  Jackson chameleons benefit from having various climbing surfaces though live or synthetic plants. Topsoil, peat moss and coconut fiber, kept slightly moist, are common floor bedding materials. Ideal indoor climate conditions are 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, 62 degrees Fahrenheit at night, and a 50 to 80 percent humidity range.

Reproduction

• During their mating ritual, the male displays threatening, battle-like overtures to the female. If she responds likewise, this is a signal that she is not interested in mating. Otherwise, the female will respond with little to no aggressive gestures, indicating she is willing to mate. Gestation is about 190 days, with the female laying sleeping newborns, enclosed in a gel-like egg sac. The newborns awake and break through the sac after being birthed on the ground. Sexual maturity is reached within 10 months.

Diet and Behavior

• Jackson chameleons primarily consume spiders and insects. The chameleons capture their meals by projecting their sticky tongue onto their prey, which is snapped back into their mouth. Males are very territorial and fight other males with their horns. In captivity, all Jackson chameleons should be kept apart, living singularly, until breeding season. In the wild, Jackson chameleons are preyed upon by various animals, including snakes, lizards and birds, and use stillness and coloring camouflaging to avoid capture.