The Chameleon is an amazing creature, but it isn't the best pet for everyone. Since chameleons have very specific needs and can be easily stressed, they are not good candidates for a beginner herpetologist.
However, true chameleons often called the old world chameleon, known for their abilities to change color, make fascinating pets for those up to the challenge.
An Overview of the Species:
COMMON NAME: Chameleon
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Chamaeleonidae
KINGDOM: Animalia
CLASS: Reptilia
FAMILY: Chamaeleonidae
ADULT SIZE: Size varies—27 inches at the largest, 5 inches at the smallest
PERIOD EXPECTED: 3 to 10 years when kept in captivity.
Temperament and Behavior of Chameleon
Young chameleons usually have a dull gray/brown hue, although they can adjust shades. At around five months of age, the adult color and the ability to change colors are ready to emerge, and a range of colors including green, blue-green, turquoise, and black are visible.
Color changes provide camouflage, temperature regulation, and a way of communicating with other chameleons. The color pattern of chameleons differs from that of anoles because of their response to various influences, including excitement, stress, temperature, and lighting.
A dark brown to black chameleon is generally stressed, while brighter colors show a happier mood.
A chameleon uses its tongue to catch prey. A chameleon's tongue can reach 1.5 times its body's length, so it can catch insects at a distance. Insects are their primary diet, but small invertebrates and vegetation also get eaten.
Chameleon feet have 3 toes that point one way and 2 that go the other, which helps them hold on to tree branches as they spend much of their time on them. The tails of many species are also prehensile.
They can scan a wide radius for hunting foods and predators using globular eyes that turn like turrets.
The Housing of Chameleons as Pets
The chameleon's natural habits make it difficult to maintain them. Chameleons live primarily in trees, meaning they are arboreal animals. They need cages that have plenty of foliage for climbing and privacy, and the enclosure should be very large.
If you have a larger chameleon, a cage measuring 3 feet by 3 feet by 4 feet tall should be provided, but the larger the better. It is best to have a cage screened on three sides, with either poly mesh or vinyl coated wire, to prevent toe injuries.
You should fill a considerable amount of cage space with branches of various diameters for climbing. Make sure the foliage is not toxic since the chameleon can eat it. We should prevent chameleons from accidentally eating small particles (such as gravel, sand, bark, and moss) that are found in such substrates.
There must also be several basking areas of varying temperatures in a chameleon's enclosure. Some chameleons like hotter temperatures, others like cooler temperatures. Please be sure to find out the breed's specific requirements.
Chameleons drink water from leaves, not from a dish, so they will not drink from a dish. Provide adequate water intake, either through a dripper system or mist twice a day.
You can build drip systems from a water container with a pinhole placed on top of the cage, or even from ice cubes placed on the cage to melt slowly and drip into the cage.
If you use a drip water system, water the chameleons consistently at the same location so they know where to find water. Using misting will maintain a high humidity level as well.
A drip system should collect excess moisture and reduce humidity so that it does not exceed a certain amount.
Lighting for Chameleons
Chameleons need to be exposed to UVA and UVB rays. It might also help to expose chameleons to natural sunlight through an open window (glass blocks out most of the UV radiation needed) to help keep them happy and healthy. One should keep the UVB light on for a minimum of 10 hours each day.
Water and food for Chameleons
A variety of insects are palatable to Chameleons and try to feed them as many kinds as possible. It is a good idea to feed crickets, mealworms, super worms, wax worms, wax moths, and roaches.
Foods that contain calcium should be gut-loaded before feeding and should be supplemented with calcium supplements. For within reason, chameleons can eat small amounts of nourishing greens and never feed spinach, lettuce, or cabbage.
Common Health Problems of Chameleons
It is common for chameleons to have a calcium or vitamin A deficiency, a result of a poor diet. They can additionally suffer from mouth rot or stomatitis. Infection around the mouth that shows redness and excess saliva or drooling.
Metabolic bone disease 1 is another condition prevalent among chameleons. A chameleon's bones become spongy because of the condition, which makes it vulnerable to death if untreated. Their appetite will probably be gone and they'll look lethargic.
If your pet appears ill or stressed, always consult a reptile expert at a veterinarian. Do not use home remedies before consulting a vet.
Image Credit: Pexels
How to Choose a Chameleon
It is best to purchase a captive-bred chameleon when choosing a pet chameleon. In most cases, wild-caught specimens are very stressed, have a high parasite load, and cannot adapt to captive conditions.
Starting with a stressed animal is not an option, and the reptiles aren't hardy nor easy to care for. Also, besides the deaths of many animals from chameleon capture and shipping which is thankfully being more tightly regulated, Many more animals die in transit than make it to the pet store.
Once you find a chameleon in captivity, observe it. They have to be energetic, colorful, and their body needs to be solid.
Different Types of Chameleons
Chameleons are popular pets because of their colors and textures. Here are a couple of options to consider:
Veiled chameleon
Jackson's chameleon
Panther chameleon
Meller’s Chameleon
Four-Horned Chameleon
Carpet Chameleon
Veiled chameleon
One of the most popular species of reptiles, Veiled Chameleons are also an excellent choice for beginners. They are extremely easy to care for and have a gorgeous coloration.
The body is usually covered with bands of yellow, green, and brown. This species can change color quickly, like many other chameleons. A lizard similar to this is known for flashing stunning colors!
Veiled Chameleons aren't difficult to care for. Whenever they need some adjusting, they will thermoregulate whenever the temperature is suitable for them.
Also important is a stable humidity level. A species of this species needs 50% humidity at all times. Fortunately, you can easily meet that standard with regular misting.
The Veiled Chameleon does not like to be held. When handled too much, they can get stressed out.
They prefer living alone as well. The chameleons will be calm and still in a suitable environment. However, in the presence of others, aggressive behavior comes out!
Jackson's chameleon
Another popular species with a distinct look in Jackson’s Chameleon. Its most distinctive feature is its horns. There are three horns on the face of male specimens. One horn sits on the nose while the two others are beneath the eyes.
There are also spiny ridges running along the entire back of these chameleons.
In the beginning, these lizards are brown. But after a few months, they develop their signature green hue. Females are more colorful than males. Colors of green, blue, yellow, and red may appear sporadically. Most people associate those colors with the face.
The Jackson’s Chameleon has strong territorial instincts. It is best to keep them separated to avoid aggressive behavior. They dislike being handled, either.
The only time to handle them after setting up their new enclosure is to clean it. It is important to be gentle and speedy to avoid undue stress even then.
Panther chameleon
Panther Chameleons have multiple colors, and each of them can appear very different from the other. The lizard's exchange colors to communicate with each other and to absorb radiant heat. It may appear in turquoise, red, green, and more.
Females are more colorful than males. Panther Chameleons can shift from beautiful shades of pink to intense shades of red and black all at once. Females' color changes depend, in most cases, on how responsive they are to breeding.
Females are larger than males, too. Females usually stop growing after 12 inches while males can reach lengths of 20 inches.
A Panther Chameleon is a solitary animal. Because they are territorial with others, they prefer to live alone.
This chameleon species isn’t too keen on handling, either. While not aggressive, excess handling could lead to unwanted stress.
Meller’s Chameleon
Meller’s Chameleons are beautiful reptiles that originate from mountainous regions of East Africa.
However, they can be quite difficult to care for. Currently, most of the pet Mellers available are wild imports. New or novice reptile enthusiasts may find that these lizards take some time to acclimatize to captivity.
A good thing to know is that Meller’s Chameleons will exhibit changes in coloring if they’re stressed or uncomfortable. They take on the bright yellow and green colors when happy and healthy.
However, the lizard's color may dull or develop black spots when it feels threatened or anxious.
Other interesting physical characteristics are present in this type of chameleon. The first thing you'll notice is the size. As adults, they grow up to two feet long. A single rostral horn and a scalloped ridge are also characteristic of the species.
Four-Horned Chameleon
Although their name implies that they always have four horns, Four-Horned Chameleons often lack them. Some horned creatures can be fitted with multiple horns. The most defining feature of this species is its horns in either case.
This chameleon type is more muted in its coloration compared to the other popular types of chameleons. These colors are more natural.
Their scale pattern varies as well. Colors like purple, orange, and blue could be seen. Its natural appearance, however, makes it simple to camouflage.
Four-Horned Chameleons are best for experienced reptile keepers. There are strict requirements of this species, which are the reason for this.
Their native habitats in Cameroon require warm and humid environments. They don't tolerate a great deal of deviation, so you need to monitor everything to keep them happy.
Carpet Chameleon
Carpet Chameleon's name comes from the colored markings it displays on its body. Spots, stripes, and circles can be present in any specimen.
But, the markings intensify when a female is pregnant. A few females have such intricate detail on their bodies they resemble an Oriental carpet!
Females are more ornate than males, which is uncommon in the animal world. Because of this, many owners prefer to keep females instead of males.
Men wear a variety of shades of green, white, and yellow. There may also be some black markings here and there.
This is a species of small chameleon. Most will reach a length between six and ten inches. A Carpet Chameleon requires a smaller enclosure because of its size.
The decorations are still lacking, however. Madagascar is the source of these types. The best place to find them is in lush, lush rainforests covered in vegetation. Carpet Chameleons can come from mountain and desert areas as well, but most inhabit forest environments.
