Veiled chameleon is a jewel-colored lizard with a distinctive casque on its head, which makes it one of the most popular species among reptile enthusiasts. However, taking care of these chameleons can be a bit complicated and demanding, as they cannot tolerate bad handling. To ensure they thrive and have a longer lifespan, it’s essential to know their specific care requirements. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to properly care for your veiled chameleons.
About Veiled Chameleons
Veiled chameleons, which compete with leopard geckos as the most common reptile species in captivity, are native to the mountains, grasslands, and highlands of Yemen and Saudi Arabia. They are easily identified by distinctive veil or casque on their heads, and come in a variety of colors like green, yellow, and blue. These colors can change with mood, environment, or health.
In fact, color changes are important signals to communicate to their owners and other chameleons about sexual readiness, health, and environment. Additionally, veiled chameleons are relatively hardy, but their care requirements can be demanding.
Behavior and Temperament
Veiled chameleons are primarily arboreal and enjoy climbing branches, which means they prefer vertical spaces with plenty of hiding spots.
Unlike some reptiles that like to socialize, these chameleons are more of a lone wolf. In the wild, they are territorial and like their own space, especially during breeding season. Because of this, it’s best not to house them with other reptiles or animals.
Setting Up the Habitat
Veiled chameleon enclosures should be taller rather than wider. For adult chameleons, a minimum size of 24" x 24" 48" is suggested, but going taller is even better. Screened cages provide better ventilation and also serve as climbing surfaces for your chameleon. Avoid using fine metal or fiberglass mesh. Instead, choose PVC-coated hardware cloth for a safer option.
Enclosure Accessories
The substrate for the cage can be newspaper, kraft paper, or reptile carpet, which are easy to maintain and clean. If you opt for bark, pick larger pieces, since small bits can be ingested with food and lead to digestive issues for your veiled chameleon.
For decoration, consider adding non-toxic live plants like popular, pothos, and ficus to provide climbing opportunities. Use branches of different shapes, lengths, and heights, ensuring one side is densely packed while the other has larger, bare branches for sun basking.
Temperature, Humidity and Lighting
Like most reptiles, veiled chameleons enjoy soaking up the sun to get warm, then retreat to the shade to avoid the heat. Ideal basking temperatures should be around 95°F (35°C), while cooler areas should sit at around 75°F (24°C). As long as the temperature in your home doesn’t drop below 65°F (18°C) at night, you don’t need to heat it at night. However, we still recommend setting a temperature controller at the enclosure to automatically adjust the heat lamps.
In addition to the heat lamps, you’ll also need UVB lights, which are crucial for veiled chameleons to properly absorb calcium. Without them, your chameleon could face serious health issues like metabolic bone disease or fractures. Provide 10-12 hours of light per day, but make sure your pet can’t climb up and reach these bulbs.
These chameleons are more picky about humidity, needing it to be between 50% and 60%. Set up a thermo-hygrometer in the enclosure, and mist the plants as needed. Alternatively, you can automate the misting systems by connecting it to a humidity controller. Chameleons rarely drink from a bowl, instead, they lick water droplets off leaves.
Diet, Nutrition and Feeding Frequency
Given your chameleon with a balanced diet that includes suitable insects and small amounts of vegetables and fruits. Good insect choices are crickets, mealworms, silkworms, flies, grasshoppers, and even cockroaches. It’s more important to feed these insects well before giving them to your chameleon to increase their nutritional value. Also, dust the insects with a phosphorus-free calcium supplement three to four times a week, and add a multivitamin once a week. Just remember to discard any uneaten food within 24 hours.
In addition, you can also offer your pet colorful leafy greens such as kale, dandelion leaves, mustard greens, and even some carrots and blueberries two to three times a week.
The feeding frequency will depend on the age. Juveniles usually need daily meals, while adults can be fed every other day. If you notice a lot of uneaten insects, just cut back a bit on the next feeding.
Health and Monitoring
Healthy chameleons have bright skin, clear eyes, a good appetite, and are active and alert. But like many lizards, veiled chameleons are susceptible to infections and stress-related illness. They may also suffer from metabolic bone disease (MBD) due to a lack of calcium and vitamin D or insufficient exposure to UVB lights.
If you notice any abnormal symptoms in your pet, such as difficulty breathing, unusual discharge, mouth decay, stomatitis, unsteady walking, lethargy, or loss of appetite, take it to a veterinarian specializing in reptiles immediately.
Handling and Interaction
Most veiled chameleons do not like to be handled and are better suited to being displayed. If you really want to pick one up, do it slowly and carefully. Use your hands to support their body and avoid sudden movements. Watch for signs of stress - such as puffing up or trying to escape - and respect their need for space. Al calm environment will help build trust between you and your chameleon.
FAQs
Are veiled chameleons hard to take care of?
Veiled chameleons can be challenging to care for, especially for beginners. They require a specific environment that mimics their natural habitat, including proper temperature, humidity, and lighting. To take good care of your veiled chameleon, make sure to follow the care guide above.
How long do veiled chameleons live?
Veiled chameleons typically have a lifespan of 2 to 3 years in the wild, but they can live 5 to 8 years in captivity. As long as you create a great environment for them, feed them a nutritious diet, ensure they have enough water, and take them for regular vet checkups, your veiled chameleon could live even longer.
How big do veiled chameleons get?
Male veiled chameleons usually grow bigger, reaching 18 to 24 inches (45 to 61 cm) in length and sporting a larger casque, while females are smaller, averaging about 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 cm).
Do veiled chameleons change color?
Veiled chameleons can indeed change their colors, but not as drastically as other types. Their color changes mainly depend on things like their surroundings, emotions, and health. For example, they may display brighter colors when excited or mating, while darker tones indicate stress or discomfort.
