Chamaeleo jacksonii

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Chamaeleo jacksonii (common names Jackson's Chameleon or Three-horned Chameleon) is an African chameleon belonging to the chameleon family (Chamaeleonidae).

There are three subspecies :

Chamaeleo jacksonii jacksonii Boulanger 1896 : Jackson's Chameleon
Chamaeleo jacksonii merumontanus Rand 1958 : Dwarf Jackson's Chameleon
Chamaeleo jacksonii xantholophus Eason, Ferguson & Hebrard 1988 : Yellow-crested Jackson's Chameleon

They are native to the humid, cooler regions of Kenya and Tanzania, East Africa, found in great numbers at altitudes over 3,000 m. The subspecies merumontanus can only be found on Mt. Meru and the Arusha districts of Tanzania. The subspecies xantholophus was introduced to Hawaii and California.

These are small to medium sized chameleons. Their adult size is 12in/30cm in total length. They have a saw-tooth shaped dorsal ridge. There is no gullar crest. They attain maturity after five months. The lifespan is variable.

Most chameleons are oviparous, but Jackson's Chameleon gives birth to live offspring : 8 to 30 live young are born after a five to six month gestation. The subspecies merumontanus gives birth to 3-10 live young.

They are sometimes called Three-horned Chameleons because males possess three red horns : one on the nose (the rostral horn) and one above each orbital ridges around the eyes (preocular horns). The female only has traces of these horns, or only the rostral horn (in the subspecies jacksonii and merumontanus) or even all three horns. Males of the subspecies jacksonii exhibit a tail swelling. The colouring is usually bright green among green vegetation but it changes quickly depending on mood, position and temperature to black, brown, blue/green or grey, often with lighter whitish or yellowish spots and blotches.

They feed every other day or so. Grasshoppers, katydids, crickets on a diet high in carrots, collard greens, and other calcium and vitamin rich vegetables are highly recommended. They also try snails locusts, waxworms, mealworms, moths, fruitflies, beetles, bugs and aphids.

Captive care

EASE OF CARE : Experience required. Provide a weekly dose of vitamin/mineral supplement.

TEMPERAMENT : This is a relatively social species but males are territorial and should not be kept together once sexually mature. Territorial battles are however rather ritualistic. Handle carefully and only when necessary. Diurnal.

VIVARIUM SETUP : Tall, well ventilated and roomy vivarium. Montane-type climate. Provide sturdy climbing branches, hiding places and plant the vivarium heavily with live plants such as pothos, ficus benjamina, sheflerra, and hibiscus. Mist the vivarium several times a day to maintain a high humidity and provide fuid intake. Moderate to cool temperatures. Day time temperature 77F/25C, night time 61F/16C. Relative humidity of 80% plus. Fluorescent light tube and under-tank heatpad required. A humidifier will also help.

SUBSTRATE : Stones, gravel, bark and moss.

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