How to Care for Three-horned Chameleons
Jackson's chameleon, commonly referred to as the three-horned chameleon, is a unique pet that requires special care. Jackson's chameleons are naturally found in East Africa and Hawaii and primarily live in cool, humid areas with dense vegetation. If you want to keep your chameleon healthy and happy, you will need to replicate its natural habitat and diet.
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Instructions
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Buy a simple aquarium with enough room for your chameleon to move around comfortably. Minimum recommended size for these creatures is 24-by-24-by-36 inches.
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Place a mesh lid on the aquarium to prevent escapes but still allow fresh air in.
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Replicate the habitat of your Jackson's chameleon by placing branches for climbing and basking and a collection of leafy plants for hiding and cooling off. Make sure the plants are nontoxic.
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Add a radiant heat lamp or tank heater to keep your chameleon's tank at a constant temperature between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. It is a good idea to stick a thermometer in the tank.
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Cover the bottom of the tank with sphagnum moss or other simple, mulch substrates. Chameleons like to hang out on branches, so your surface is not as important as the climbing materials.
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Keep the habitat at 75 to 80 percent humidity and regularly mist the plants and chameleon for moisture. You can also use a drip system to keep plants wet, as your chameleon will probably not drink from a bowl.
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Give your chameleon light for 10 to 12 hours each day, preferably with an incandescent UVB bulb.
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Feed young chameleons every day and adults every other day. Provide live insects like crickets and mealworms. Insects should be dusted with a calcium supplement daily and vitamin supplements twice per week.
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Clean feces out of the tank every day and replace the substrate every week. The tank should also be cleaned at this time.
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Tips & Warnings
Avoid handling your Jackson's chameleon, as chameleons do not particularly enjoy human interaction. You should only handle your chameleon when necessary for cleaning or feeding purposes.
