Vivariums;reptiles;jackson's chameleons

Jackson's chameleons

Jackson's chameleon, Jackson's horned chameleon, or Kikuyu three-horned chameleon (Trioceros jacksonii ) is a species of chameleon (family Chamaeleonidae) native to East Africa, but also introduced to Hawaii and Florida.[1][3][4][5]

Jackson's chameleon

A feral Jackson's chameleon from a population introduced to Hawaii in the 1970s

Conservation status :

Scientific classification :

Kingdom:Animalia

Phylum:Chordata

Subphylum:Vertebrata

Class:Reptilia

Order:Squamata

Suborder:Lacertilia

Infraorder:Iguania

Family:Chamaeleonidae

Subfamily:Chamaeleoninae

Genus:Trioceros

Species:T. jacksonii

Binomial name:

Trioceros jacksonii
(Boulenger, 1896)[2]

Synonyms :

Chamaeleon jacksoniiBoulenger, 1896
Chameleo jacksonii— Bonetti, 2002
Trioceros jacksonii— Tilbury & Tolley, 2009[3]

Taxonomy :

Jackson's chameleon was described by Belgian-British zoologist George Albert Boulenger in 1896.[2]

Etymology :

The generic name, Trioceros, is derived from the Greek τρί- (tri-) meaning "three" and κέρας (kéras) meaning "horns".[6] This is in reference to the three horns found on the heads of males.

The specific name, jacksonii, is a Latinized form of English explorer and ornithologist Frederick John Jackson's last name, who was serving as the first Governor of Kenya at the time.[7][8]

The English word chameleon (also chamaeleon) derives from Latin chamaeleō, a borrowing of the Ancient Greek χαμαιλέων (khamailéōn), a compound of χαμαί (khamaí) "on the ground" and λέων (léōn) "lion". The Greek word is a calque translating the Akkadian nēš qaqqari, "ground lion".[9]

Subspecies :

The three subspecies, including the nominate, are:

- T. j. jacksonii (Boulenger, 1896) – Jackson's chameleon

-T. j. merumontanus (Rand, 1958) – dwarf Jackson's chameleon

-T. j.xantholophus (Eason, Ferguson & Hebrard, 1988) – yellow-crested Jackson's chameleon

Habitat and geographic range

Jackson's chameleons are native to woodlands and forests at altitudes of 1,600 to 2,440 m (5,250 to 8,010 ft) in south-central Kenya and northern Tanzania.[4][10] In these areas, the rainfall is seasonal but exceeds 127 cm (50 in) per year. Day temperatures are typically 16–27 °C (61–81 °F), and night temperatures are typically 4–18 °C (39–64 °F).[10] In Tanzania, it is only known from Mount Meru in theArusha Region, which is the home of the relatively small endemic subspecies T. j. merumontanus.[4] Jackson's chameleon is more widespread in Kenya, where it is even found in wooded areas of some Nairobi suburbs.[4] The subspecies T. j. xantholophus (native to theMount Kenya region) was introduced to Hawaii in 1972 and has since established populations on all main islands and became invasive species there.[11][12][13][14] This subspecies has also been introduced to Florida.[5] In Hawaii, they are mainly found at altitudes of 100 to 1,000 m (330 to 3,280 ft) in wet, shady places.[5] Historically this population was the primary source of Jackson's chameleons for the exotic pet trade in the United States, but exports from Hawaii are now illegal.[5] This has been done to prevent opportunists from willfully establishing further feral animal populations to capture and sell them.[14]

Wild T. j. xantholophus from Hilo, Hawaii

A Jackson's chameleon at theWellington Zoo

Description :

Jackson's chameleons are sometimes called three-horned chameleons because males possess three brown horns: one on the nose (the rostral horn) and one above each superior orbital ridge above the eyes (preocular horns), somewhat reminiscent of the ceratopsiddinosaur genus Triceratops. The females generally have no horns, or traces of the rostral horn (in the subspecies T. j. jacksonii and T. j. merumontanus). The coloring is usually bright green, with some individual animals having traces of blue and yellow, but like all chameleons, they change color quickly depending on mood, health, and temperature.

These are small to medium-sized chameleons. Adult males reach up to 38 cm (15 in) and females up to 25 cm (10 in), but more typical lengths are 15 to 25 cm (6 to 10 in).[4] They have a saw-tooth shaped dorsal ridge and no gular crest. They attain sexual maturity after five months. The lifespan is variable, with males generally living longer than females.

Ecology :

Feeding habits :

Jackson's chameleons live primarily on a diet of small insects. They also prey on centipedes, isopods, millipedes, spiders, lizards, smallbirds, and snails in their native habitat.[12]

Invasive species:

There is a threat of devastating impact of introduced invasive Jackson's chameleons to native ecosystems in Hawaii.[12] There were found mainly insect in their stomachs: planthoppers Oliarus, grasshoppers Banza, casebearing caterpillars Hyposmocoma, beetles Oodemas, dragonflies Pantala[12] and others.[14] Holland et al. (2010)[12] proved that they also prey on snails in Hawaii.[12] Their prey include land snails Achatinella, Auriculella, Lamellidea, Philonesia,[12] Oxychilus alliarius.[14] They are swallowing whole snails (including shells).[12] Jackson's chameleons introduced to Hawaii are substantial threat to native biodiversity of invertebrates[14] and serious threat especially to endemic species, such as critically endangered O'ahu tree snails (genus Achatinella).[12][13]

Territoriality

T. jacksonii 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.

Reproduction

Most chameleons are oviparous, but Jackson's chameleon gives birth to live offspring; eight to thirty live young are born after a five- to six-month gestation. The subspecies T. j. merumontanus gives birth to five to ten live young.[citation needed]

In captivity

In captivity, Jackson's chameleons require high humidity, and are in general very needy of colder temperatures during the night. Too much heat, or excessive humidity, can cause eye infections and upper respiratory infections in these animals. In captivity, the Jackson's chameleon can be expected to live between five and ten years.[15]

Video :

For the external links , refrences click here to read the full wikipedia article

Jackson Chameleons eating bugs

Jackson's Chameleon Care Sheet

Courtesy to : www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Lizards/Jacksons-Chameleon/

BY LINDA DAVISON

Male and female Jackson's chameleons.

Jackson's Chameleon (Chamaeleo jacksonii xantholophus)

The three types of Jackson's chameleons found in areas of the African wild are in theTrioceros subgenera. The seldom-seen Chamaeleo jacksonii jacksonii, measuring snout to vent approximately 4 inches, is from the Nairobi area of Kenya. The C.j. merumonta, measuring snout to vent approximately 3 inches, is only located in the Mount Meru region of Tanzania. The yellow crested Jackson's chameleon (C.j. xantholophus), which measures approximately 5 inches snout to vent, is from the Mount Kenya region of Kenya.

The largest variety of all of the Jackson's chameleons is C.j. xantholophus, and it has been bred in captivity since the early 1980s. Jackson's chameleons are docile species that are great for all levels of chameleonkeepers. They are live-bearing and easy to propagate when healthy. These chameleons are amazing. Who wouldn't want their own baby triceratops around the house?

Jackson's Chameleon Availability

Yellow-crested Jackson's chameleons C.j. xantholophus are the most commonly found of the three types in the United States pet trade today, and the subject of this care sheet. Captive-bred Jackson's chameleons may be purchased from reputable breeders on the Internet, at reptile expos and in pet stores. At the time of this writing, prices for Jackson's chameleons ranged from $75 to $175 depending on the age, sex and lineage (captive bred or wild caught). Most Jackson's chameleons on the market today are captive bred.

Female Jackson's chameleon.

Jackson's Chameleon Size

Yellow-crested Jackson's chameleon hatchlings measure 3 to 4 inches in total length. Adult females are typically 7 to 8 inches in total length, and males are 8 to 10 inches total length. Some males of this variety can reach nearly a foot in total length.

Jackson's Chameleon Life Span

On average, you can expect a healthy male Jackson's chameleon to live eight to 10 years. The females, however, will only live approximately four to five years. Once reproductive, the female's mission is to give birth. This wears them out after three or four broods per year. If you are looking for a single pet, I recommend getting a male because of the longer life span.

Jackson's Chameleon Caging and Substrate

As with all chameleon species, I recommend your Jackson's chameleons be housed separately in screen cages that are a minimum of 3 foot tall by 2 foot square per chameleon. Housing reptiles separately is one way to reduce the stress of captivity.

I recommend using a Ficus benjamina tree or any nontoxic plants that are suitable, along with sticks of various sizes. I prefer paper towels as a ground cover or nothing at all. Remove feces, dead insects or leaves as needed. Once a month, remove the chameleon and plant to give the enclosure a thorough cleaning using a reptile-safe disinfectant.

Female Jackson's chameleon.

Jackson's Chameleon Lighting and Temperature

Recommended ambient daytime temperatures of 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with nighttime temperatures of 60 degrees, is an acceptable range for most Jackson's chameleons in captivity. On top of the indoor enclosure I place a UVB full spectrum tube as well as a spot lamp for heat. Place branches for basking 3 to 4 inches away from the screen on the inside, and the light housing 3 to 4 inches from the screen on the outside. Doing this will keep the chameleons from getting too close to any lighting, and prevent a potential burn. Remember, no light bulb will provide the same long-term benefits as the rays of the sun.

Exposure to natural sunlight is very important for livebearing species of chameleons. Even a few hours of sunlight on weekends will charge their batteries. When chameleons are outside, be careful to not leave them unattended. If the chameleon turns very light in color, or begins panting or gasping, move it to the shade and hydrate. This is a sign of heat stress.

Jackson's Chameleon Food

Jackson's chameleons are insectivores. The best items to use are live gut-loaded crickets, wax worms, butter worms, cockroaches, house flies or small snails. The key is to provide a varied diet of high-quality, nutrition-loaded insects.

Jackson's chameleons are especially sensitive to excess amounts of synthetic Vitamin A, making them prone to gout and edema. I recommend supplementation using a combination of my Sticky Tongue Farms Vit-All to gut load prey items with vitamins and amino acids, and my Sticky Tongue Farms Miner-All to dust prey with calcium and trace elements.

Offer no more than five to seven insects to your chameleons per feeding. Each insect should not be larger than the space between the chameleon's eyes. I prefer free-range feeding, which allows chameleons to hunt and get exercise. However, a plastic feeding dish placed under a branch for easy access is also fine.

Male Jackson's chameleon.

Jackson's Chameleon Hydration

Rainfall averages 30 to 60 inches per year in the native range of Jackson's chameleons. The humidity is 50 to 80 percent year-round. A fully hydrated chameleon will possess full eyes, skin and casque (top of the head). Always offer water before feeding to ensure that the tongue is lubricated and functioning properly. When the chameleon is in a rainstorm, it has an opportunity to clean its eyes and fully hydrate. Puffing out their bulbous eyes and rubbing them on a branch is completely normal, even if the chameleon is not drinking the rainwater. The humidity will hydrate their skin and delicate lungs.

If the chameleon is drinking rapidly, continue to offer water until they slow down or stop drinking or washing their eyes. Gently mist the chameleon's entire tree and body with water a minimum of twice daily. Using an ultrasonic humidifier to produce a cool mist if the humidity drops lower than 50 percent, is also recommended. Placing the chameleons in a rainstorm for full hydration once a week is beneficial as well, even if a humidifier is supplied. To simulate rain, put the chameleon in the shower on a plant or rack, under a light rain or mist for a minimum ½ hour weekly. In higher temperatures, chameleons require more hydration. Be observant and adjust the watering times accordingly.

Male Jackson's chameleon.

Jackson's Chameleon Breeding

At approximately 9 months to 1 year old, a healthy Jackson's chameleon will be ready to breed. Place the female into the male's enclosure, and allow the male to breed for up to three days. If the male seems disinterested, offer a rainstorm, or show him another male. If none are available, show him his mirror image. Often males that are housed next to, or can see, the females become too familiar with them and are not interested in breeding with them. Another male, real or imaginary, will entice the lazy male to breed with the female.

All Jackson's chameleons are ovoviviparous. This means that neonates are incubated in a soft shell membrane inside the mother. Gestation is typically seven to nine months for the first brood. After which time, if proper breeding has occurred, another brood will be born every three months thereafter, due to the chameleon's unique ability to store sperm. Reintroduction of a healthy female to the male two weeks after giving birth is recommended to keep sperm counts high.

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Linda Davison is the source for Jackson's Chameleon information and breeding. Please visit her site at StickyTongueFarms.com.

CHAMELEONS : Introduction .. Chameleons As a Pet ..