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How Long Do Jackson Chameleons Live

Are you a new owner of Jackson’s chameleon?

Are you curious about the lifespans of these creatures?

Knowing how long your chameleon will live is an important part of responsible pet ownership.

How long do Jacksonā€™s chameleons live?

Jacksonā€™s chameleons live four to ten years in captivity, depending on sex, environment, and general health.

Read on to learn more about the lifespan of Jackson’s chameleon.

how long do jackson chameleons live

Domesticating Jacksonā€™s Chameleons

There are three types of Jackson’s chameleons found in Africa, and they vary in size and color.

The largest of these three is the C.j. xantholophus, which is the type bred for captivity.

They were selected for captivity because of their calm and docile temperaments, and because they are easy to breed.

Jackson’s chameleons are among the most commonly traded and purchased in the United States and are great chameleons for novices.

Size and Color

In captivity, the most common color of Jackson’s chameleons is brown, displaying blues and yellows as they grow.

These creatures will grow up to 7″ or 10″ inches in length, depending on their sex.

Hatchlings are 3″ to 4″ inches, and the females grow to be 7″ to 8″ inches while the males grow to be 8″ to 10″ inches.

There have also been some Jackson’s chameleons which have grown up to a foot long.

Keeping Jacksonā€™s Chameleons Healthy

Jackson’s chameleon’s lifespan will be kept in a healthy range with good care.

Continue reading to learn more about how to care for your Jackson’s chameleon.

Proper Cages

Jackson’s chameleons can grow quite large, so their cages must be large enough for them to roam around comfortably.

The ideal cage for these creatures would be a minimum of 3′ feet by 2′ feet by 3′ feet.

These cages should be screen cages, not glass, so chameleons cannot see their reflections.

Additionally, Jackson’s chameleons should be housed separately, as they may fight or view each other as a threat.

These cages should have plenty of branches for climbing and plants for Jackson’s chameleons to hide in.

These enclosures should be cleaned superficially at least three times per week, and deep cleaned once per month.

Light

UVB lamps and spotlight lamps are crucial for the health and happiness of Jackson’s chameleons.

For these creatures to have a long life, they need exposure to sunlight, both artificial and natural.

Giving your Jackson’s chameleons even a few hours of exposure to real sunlight each week will help keep them healthy.

Temperature

Jackson’s chameleons should be kept within the temperature ranges best for their species.

These ranges are near 80Ā° degrees Fahrenheit (27Ā° C) during the day and near 60Ā° degrees Fahrenheit (15Ā° C) at night.

It is important to always keep Jackson’s chameleons in these ranges, as too cold or too hot may make them vulnerable to sickness and stress.

Humidity

Jackon’s chameleons need a great amount of water.

A well-hydrated cage means chameleons can take drops of water clinging to leaves and branches and keep themselves hydrated.

Humidity also is crucial for a healthy shedding environment and helps chameleons shed healthily.

Mist Jackson’s cages many times each day, and use an artificial humidifier to keep continual moisture in the air.

Food

Jackon’s chameleons are very sensitive to large amounts of synthetic Vitamin A, which can cause gout and edema.

If you notice these symptoms, take your chameleon to the veterinarian.

To prevent this, make sure you are giving your chameleon lots of bug varieties loaded with nutrition, like crickets, cockroaches, butterflies, wax worms, and even small snails.

Products like Sticky Tongue Farms Vit-All and Tongue Farms Miner-All are also great products to use with Jackon’s chameleons as they supplement their diets with more vitamins and minerals they need to stay healthy.

Jacksonā€™s Chameleon Health

Their overall health greatly impacts the lifespan of Jackson’s chameleons.

Here are a few items to check on your Jackson’s chameleon, which may impact how long they live.

Limbs

When you get a Jackson’s chameleons, carefully examine its legs, feet, and toes.

If there are any visible abrasions or cuts, make sure to take your pet to a veterinarian immediately, as those could be signs of greater issues and are susceptible to infection.

Also, pay close attention to how your chameleon walks, grips branches, and moves its body.

Any odd movements or clumsy mobility should also be examined by a professional.

Eyes & Mouth

Make sure to check the inside of your Jacksonā€™s chameleonā€™s mouth, and ensure there is no drool or injuries present.

Your chameleonā€™s eyes should be alert and clear, and your chameleon should be able to eat and drink without problems.

Infections

Infections and parasites are common for Jackson’s chameleons, even those bred in captivity, so you should always have a veterinarian perform a fecal test for parasites when you first get your chameleon.

You should also carefully examine your chameleon’s skin for any cuts, bruises, or bumps.

Jackon’s chameleons are also especially susceptible to respiratory infections, so listen closely to your chameleon’s breathing to see if you hear any wheezing or popping.

Any of these could present a threat to your chameleon’s health and quality of life and should be addressed immediately by a professional.

Conclusion

The Jackon’s chameleon is a well-loved and commonly domesticated chameleon which can live a long time in captivity.

For these chameleons to live 4 to 10 years, they must be cared for properly, and owners should be well aware of the threats to their health and safety.

A Jackson’s chameleon well cared for will last for a long time, depending on their sex, environment, and overall health.

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