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 Veiled Chameleon
(Chamaeleo calyptratus)
Veiled chameleons are large, colorful, hardy
chameleons that are ideal for first-time
enthusiasts. Adult males are
considerably larger than the females,
ranging between 17" - 24" in length.
Females generally only grow 10" - 14" long.
Depending on their mood and surroundings,
they can change their colors from a vivid
mint-green to a dark chocolate-brown.
They fare best in very warm climates.
Chameleons eat crickets, mealworms, waxworms,
fruit flies, grasshoppers, flowers, and
leaves. Try to vary your chameleon's
diet. You wouldn't want to eat the
same boring thing day after day...neither do
they! More importantly, chameleons
need high levels of calcium which can only
be gained by serving a variety of foods.
(Always be sure to "gut-load" your insects
by feeding them high-calcium cricket food
before dropping them in your chameleon's
cage.)
Selecting The Proper Habitat
The veiled chameleon's natural behavior
includes basking, hunting, drinking, and
feeding.
Glass aquariums
trap stagnant air, provide an opportunity
for fungus and bacteria to grow, and are
difficult to clean and disinfect.
Respiratory infections (often fatal for baby
chameleons), eye infections, and skin
infections are common diseases for
chameleons housed in solid-walled enclosures.
A properly designed and furnished screen
cage will allow good ventilation on all
sides, including the top and bottom of the
enclosure.
Provide your chameleon with at least one
incandescent basking lamp, and one
fluorescent sun lamp. Veiled
chameleons like it HOT! They also
enjoy basking in direct sunlight, though you
should always keep one corner of their cage
shaded so that they won't overheat.
Chameleons like to lick moisture from the
leaves in their cage. If possible, use
a drip system or misting system in your
chameleon's cage. They will enjoy the
airborne humidity. Note:
Never use a mister inside a glass tank.
Excessive moisture can cause fungal growth
inside the tank, which is hazardous to your
chameleon's health.
Chameleons are arboreal creatures, and
normally perch several feet off the ground.
Place your chameleon's cage above your eye
level. This will give it a sense of
security, especially if their environment is
shared by other animals such as birds, cats,
dogs, or other potential predators.
Picking The Right Furnishings
No question about it, chameleons love
to climb. Don't be surprised if your
pet spends most of its time clinging to the
top of its cage, or balancing on a high
vine. But don't forget to hang vines
up and down the entire cage, so that your
chameleon can descend to the bottom to hunt.
Provide at least one basking site where the
temperature will reach 90º - 105º F, and
other comfortable perching sites that are
cooler. Chameleons are cold-blooded, so they
thermoregulate themselves--which means that
they will travel from a hotter spot to a
cooler one when they feel too warm. At
night, the temperature should remain between
75º - 80º F.
Live
plants provide security, hiding places, and
a surface from which to lap drinking water.
They also add to the enclosure's beauty.
Many chameleons are known to eat vegetation,
so only non-toxic plants should be used in
their enclosures. Hibiscus is an ideal
non-toxic plant for chameleon cages.
They are beautiful plants that provide
nutritional plant matter (blossoms and
leaves) and good navigation. The Ficus plant
is frequently recommended, but should be
avoided because it is mildly toxic, and
excretes a white milky sap that can cause
skin or eye irritation.
Bottoms Up - Glug, Glug, Glug!
One of the most important aspects of keeping
your chameleon healthy is making sure it
drinks enough water. Most chameleons
come from areas of the world that receive
between 60" - 120" of rainfall annually.
In the wild, they lick dew and rain droplets
from leaves. To keep your chameleon
properly hydrated, and avoid dangerous
health problems like dehydration and kidney
failure, use an in-cage rain system, a drip
system, or a misting system to coat your
chameleon's leaves with water. If you
have the time, you can also manually mist
the cage 2 or 3 times daily.
You're In My Space!
Adult male chameleons can be quite
territorial toward other males, and may
become aggressive if they feel their
territory is being threatened. If you
have more than one chameleon, keep them
widely separated...especially during mating
season. Stressed chameleons are more
susceptible to disease.
Best Buddies
Chameleons do require more care than many
reptiles--but their unusual appearance and
ever-changing beauty makes them a favorite
among both novices and experienced handlers.
Use basic common sense in dealing with these
slow-moving, elegant creatures...and you
will have a unique pet for many years to
come. |
