A chameleon is an awful pet. Anyone who thinks a chameleon would make a good pet should not keep one.
Regardless of their species, chameleons remain captive wildlife. A chameleon's keeper must understand that in order to provide proper care for it. It's not a bearded dragon or leopard gecko. You should not handle this animal regularly.
Even the most robust chameleon species are delicate creatures with very specific requirements in captivity. It is extremely easy for their health to change drastically when they are stressed.
Nobody without at least intermediate reptile knowledge should keep chameleons. Only expert level keepers with the most challenging species can keep most chameleons.
The chameleon is solitary — it hates other creatures, it hates other people, and it definitely hates you. They will both die if they can't see each other at all times. This isn't a joke.
They bite, normally, since they dislike you. You will still notice they are extremely unhappy even after they get used to you and don't bite, by turning unpleasant colors and with extremely poor faces and throat puffing.
They must be enclosed in huge enclosures with an exact humidity level and loads of green plants. The cages should be mesh in order not to expose them to still air, which causes serious health issues.
Most species need a high level of humidity. And precise ambient temperatures at all times. And very strong UVB light. Did I mention that this is a mesh cage?
The mesh should be coated with plastic, otherwise, their feet will get hurt on it. The screen would catch toenails.
Keep this huge cage pristine, because if it gets dirty, it will quickly compromise the chameleon’s health. In the wild, the rain keeps things very clean.
You need to provide rain for your chameleon, as it will not drink out of a dish, and is highly susceptible to dehydration.
There are numerous species of insects you can feed your chameleon. Feeding just one or two kids won't do well for them. It's important to supplement them all. The right amount of food should be fed—not too much or too little.
Some species require plant foods as well. It won’t contain lettuce. Every other day, they must be fed. (Babies — twice daily, with near-constant access to food. But do not leave insects with them that bite.)
If you’re doing it right, it may take you five years. Perhaps 10 years for some species. But 5 is certainly a more reasonable expectation for the vast majority of species.
These animals are very prolific — they lay extremely large clutches of eggs, and they do it frequently. This is a short-lived, delicate animal. Their high reproductive rate is the reason they survive.
