Chameleons · Care guide
Trioceros jacksonii
Medium-sized chameleons (about 14″ total length, including the tail) with a lifespan of about 8–10 years. Tall glass terrarium with mesh-lid heat and UV, high humidity, leaf-droplet drinking, and a live-insect diet.
At a glance
Key parameters for day-to-day husbandry. Full detail is in the sections below.
Cool-end probe
76 °F
24 °C · ~6″ off substrate
Night drop
~66 °F
~19 °C · dimming thermostat
Humidity
High
Spray 2×+ daily · night spike
UVB
T5 12%
On mesh (6% if inside)
01 · Housing
Medium chameleons with high humidity and relatively cool temperatures — good candidates for a tall glass terrarium with mesh-lid heating and UV, a branch network, foliage for cover and drinking droplets, and humidity-retentive substrate.
Adult minimum size
24″ W × 18″ D × 36″ H
Tall glass terrarium. Generally about 14″ total length. Heat dome and T5 UV sit on the mesh lid.
Housing diagram
Enclosure example
Front view 24″ wide × 36″ tall (depth 18″) · glass terrarium · mesh lid · branches · foliage · coir + orchid bark
Setup diagram · 1 of 2
Top-down view
Heat dome in a back corner · probe on the opposite cool end · recommended temps need this layout
Setup diagram · 2 of 2
Front view
Looking into the terrarium · dome on the mesh lid · probe about 6″ off the substrate
02 · Climate
Cool-end probe control, a gentle basking gradient, T5 12% UVB on the mesh lid, high humidity with frequent misting, and a night spray priority.
When the heat bulb and thermostat sensor are placed as instructed, a probe target of 76 °F (24 °C) cool end creates this spread. The probe point is not the basking spot.
| Zone | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Cool end (probe) (thermostat probe target) | 76 °F (24 °C) |
| Basking spot (hottest point under bulb) | ~85 °F (~29 °C) |
| Night drop | Reduce thermostat by ~66 °F (~19 °C) at night |
Climate diagram
Lighting setup
Glass terrarium mesh lid — T5 12% UVB sits on top of the lid · heat dome on the warm end · match UV to heat
High humidity with frequent misting — night spray is the important one.
At least 2×
Spray the whole terrarium a few times a day, especially the substrate
Priority mist
Night is when humidity naturally spikes — fogger or rain system can help
Treated only
Reptisafe, bottled, or water stood 24 hours — never straight from the tap
Always have the thermostat dial turned down before you plug it into the mains for the first time. Set the cool-end probe to 76 °F (24 °C) for daytime once equipment is in place.
03 · Nutrition
Live insects only with method of 5, dusting every feed, and well gut-loaded feeders. Food size no larger than the distance between the eyes.
At a glance
Fed regularly
In moderation only
Dust every feeding with a 4:1 mix of calcium : Nutrobal (4 parts calcium to 1 part Nutrobal). Mix before dusting, then coat the food on every feed.
New arrivals often will not eat well for the first few days. This is normal. Once settled, appetite usually increases — exact cricket/locust counts vary.
Offer 5 insects at a time
Wait until you see them consumed before adding more
Reduces uneaten insects, stress, and possible insect-related injuries
Gut-load insects before offering — variety matters for calcium-to-phosphorus (Ca:P) and vitamins.
Feeder insects must be well fed before offering. In the wild, lizards and amphibians scavenge a wide variety of prey that themselves ate varied foods — supplying complete nutrition and a better calcium-to-phosphorus (Ca:P) ratio.
Speak to a member of staff for more feeding advice.
04 · Behaviour
Generally excellent temperament, but always read body language — inflate and open-mouth means stop.
Allow the chameleon to settle and begin eating regularly before handling. Adapting is stressful; early handling can make it worse. At least two successful feeds first.
Initial sessions: 5–10 minutes only. Lengthen as they become more comfortable. They often tolerate handling well when settled.
Always wash or disinfect hands before and after handling to prevent bacteria transfer both ways.
Do not use aerosols or plug-in air fresheners near the enclosure — the chemicals can harm your chameleon.
05 · Welfare
Prevention starts with correct husbandry — heat, UVB, high humidity with safe water, and supplementation working together.
Correct temperatures, supplementation, hydration, and UVB keep the immune system and gut working well — supporting essential physiological processes.
Questions
Adult minimum glass terrarium 24″ wide × 18″ deep × 36″ tall. High humidity and lower temperatures suit mesh-lid glass housing. Heat dome and T5 UV sit on the mesh lid. Provide a branch network, foliage for cover and drinking droplets, and humidity-retentive substrate. They drink by licking moisture from leaves and enclosure sides — not from a standing water bowl.
Set the cool-end dimming thermostat probe to 76 °F (24 °C) by day and about 66 °F (19 °C) at night. Place the heat dome on the mesh lid in a back corner (this guide uses left-back) and feed the sensor through the opposite lid side so it rests about 6″ off the substrate. That creates a gradient from about 76 °F up to roughly 85 °F under the basking spot. Recommended temps only apply with this placement.
They need high humidity. Spray the whole terrarium (especially the substrate, which holds moisture and releases it over the following hours) a few times a day — at least twice daily. The night spray is the important one because humidity naturally spikes then; a fogger or rain system can help. Use treated water (e.g. Reptisafe), bottled water, or water stood for 24 hours — never straight from the tap.
With UV on top of the mesh lid, use a T5 12% system (mesh reduces UV output; the sheet notes 6% would apply if the tube were fitted inside). Sit the kit straight across or diagonally on the mesh. Replace the tube every 12 months. Photoperiod about 9–10 hours in winter, increasing to 14–16 hours in summer.
They generally have an excellent temperament and tolerate handling well, but watch for stress signs: they inflate and open their mouths when they do not want to be handled. Allow them to settle and begin eating regularly first (at least two successful feeds). Early sessions 5–10 minutes only. Always wash or disinfect hands before and after. No aerosols or plug-in air fresheners near the enclosure.
Offer five insects at a time and wait until eaten before adding more. Once settled, about 10–15 crickets daily is common; as adults, appetite often drops — leave out one or two non-feeding days. Dust every feed with a 4:1 calcium : Nutrobal mix. Food size no larger than the distance between the eyes. Staples: crickets, locusts, calci worms, Dubia roaches; waxworms, morios and similar in moderation.
Next steps
Shop heating, housing and lighting on this site, browse livestock when available, or speak to our team for a tailored kit list.
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