our Jacksons Chamäleons!

Ralph and I was already married in 1977. We had in our dwelling a room for our animals. When we came favorably to an self-building Terrarium, which had all mechanisms for Exotes, there was the desire to have someonce completely special. Chamaeleon jacksonii: we are not only very much impressed that chamaeleons can change their colour, but also by the three imposanten horns of the male. The middle horn which is situated over the lip point points forward and is easily upward curved thereby. The two other horns sit laterally on the right and left side over the eyes and are likewise forward arranged. The length of the individual horn corresponds for instance to the head length. The females do not have horns. Occurrence: in the forest area of Tanzania, Kenya. They are day active, like temperatures of 24 - 26 degrees, a nocturnal sinking around 10 degrees and high air humidity. Fodder: Grasshoppers, flies, caterpillar, spiders, earthworms, beetle, woodlice, centipedes. In the zoo trade we saw the couple Jackson chamaeleons and so we bought them . They got accustomed very fast at us and our Rex and were not fearful at all. In the lunch time while the colleagues sat together, Ralph had now daily to catch fodder on next meadow. Often seen, but amazing again, if these animals shoot their food. The eyes are mobile in different direction, to the focus before the firing both eyes toward the object are briefly directed, then the rolled up tongue snaps out and - plop - usually remains the booty on it hanging. Does not succeed however, so the chamaeleon becomes very angry , it colors almost black and weighs threateningly back and forth. Perhaps there the utterance comes: are annoyed black! Likewise the animals behave if it threaten. But usually they are friendly and adapt coloured to the area. If the dog had kept its nose too far into the open Terrarium, it could happened that a chamaeleon held on to the nose. Then always it climbed with carefully steps, holding itself with hand similar feet in the skin . Over the head from the dog it escaped away. At that time we knew nothing about the reproduction of chamaeleons. According to zoo dealer it was extremely difficult and nearly impossible for private persons. How right in the end! One morning there lived 20 little pea-large Chamaeleons in the Terrarium. Jacksons chamaeleons are born alive. Now we have to take care very quick, because the chamaeleons still live with some other reptiles in the same Terrarium. They would have been the food system . Thus we removed the babies into a separate plastic basin. So we installed a lamp as a heat source over it (so one with adjustable levers, which one can mount at the desk) and now we needed food procure. Best Drosophila would have been suitable. But no Institute was able to deliver us flies and the zoo dealers unfortunately sold at that time still no fodder animals. Thus we drove with big concern at home and in the meantime a tragedy here took place. The lamp was probably not in Ordung. Anyhow the lever with the bulb had down-continued to itself, until it rested upon the plastic basin. So the heat and air drying had risen and in such a way all babies had mummified. A half year later found the Chamaeleon episode a fast end. Within short time both animals without previous signs died. A investigation resulted, both was at Tuberkulose ill. That is not so rarely with reptiles. In the meantime also the zoo trade had become ever commercial. The animal individual were not important. Main thing the commercial was good. About exotic animals and their needs one got in the business at that time no information. Therefore we ended the Terrarium. Now it was time to get our own children.