Jackson's Chameleon Care

Jackson’s Chameleon (Trioceros jacksonii ssp.) is a diurnal arboreal lizard native to Kenya and Tanzania. There is also an invasive population on the Hawaiian islands. They prefer cool, humid mountain slopes with plenty of rain and vegetation and have been observed to thrive alongside humans in hedges, small trees, gardens, and plantations.
They are a medium-sized chameleon, ranging from 7-14” (17-35cm) in length depending on subspecies, with males being larger. Generally recognized as a bright green lizard with darker patterning that changes based on mood, temperature, and intent—not camouflage. Males are distinguished by three forward facing horns like a Triceratops dinosaur.

As reptiles go, chameleons are relatively short-lived. Male Jackson’s chameleons can live up to 9 years, while females live up to 5-6 years, making them longer-lived than most other chameleon species.

There are 3 known subspecies of Trioceros jacksonii: jacksonii jacksonii, jacksonii merumontanus, and jacksonii xantholophus. All three are listed as species of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List due to widespread natural occurrence and tolerance of habitat modification. However, CITES lists all chameleons as Threatened due to habitat destruction and collection for the pet trade.

There is a common misconception that chameleons are difficult to keep in captivity, but captive-bred Jackson’s chameleons from quality breeders are fairly hardy with consistent care and a proper enclosure. Still, they are more difficult to keep than Panther or Veiled chameleons. According to Chameleons and Vitamin A, ‘there is ample evidence to illustrate that chameleons are far better suited to life in the wild and should not be considered a domesticated animal.’

Fun facts: Jackson’s chameleons are ovoviviparous, giving birth to live young rather than laying eggs. They have been observed to set ‘traps’ for insects by wiping a whitish-yellow substance from their temporal gland onto a branch and waiting for bugs, particularly flies, to land nearby. This is called ‘chemical luring.’ The same gland is also used to deter predators by emitting the scent of toxic decay. Chameleons have zygodactylus feet with 5 toes, 2 grouped to point inward and 3 grouped to point outward, perfect for a climbing lifestyle. Another trait specific to chameleons is their eyes. A chameleon’s eyes can rotate 180 and move independently of each other. They may also be able to magnify a subject in their vision.

Contributed by Stan Szeto.

Jackson’s Chameleon Care Guide — Table of Contents:

Shopping List

Jackson’s Chameleon Subspecies

Enclosure Size Guidelines

Lighting & Temperature Requirements

Humidity & Water Needs

Enclosure Drainage Designs

Environmental Enrichment: Decorating the Enclosure

Feeding Your Chameleon

Taming & Handling Tips

Common Illnesses & Other Health Info

Additional Resources

While I do not encourage using this care guide as your only source of information on Jackson’s chameleon care, this guide has been constructed to provide a solid foundation of information that, if followed, should ensure a happy, healthy chameleon for the duration of its lifespan.

Special thanks to herpetologist and passionate chameleon researcher Petr Necas for his contributions to this guide.

Is this information out of date? Do we need a citation?

ReptiFiles’ goal is to provide credible, up-to-date source of information that our readers can trust. We try our best to keep up, but sometimes things slip through the cracks. If you have found something that is out of date or information that needs citing, please contact us at reptifiles@gmail.com so we can fix it. Thank you!

Jackson’s Chameleon Care: All You Need to Know

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Must Read

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply