You can use an aquarium, a wire pet cage, or even a bird cage as your reptarium. Set up a reptarium for each of your chameleons. Chameleons are solitary animals. They don’t like other chameleons. Juvenile chameleons can grow quite a bit, so make sure you have enough space for a chameleon perhaps twice the size of the one you bought!
Plants and climbing limbs that are appropriate for your reptarium can be purchased at pet stores and from online retailers. Veiled chameleons usually need more vegetation than other species of chameleons.
It’s okay if the reptarium drops to 72 °F (22 °C) during the day and 50 °F (10 °C) at night for veiled chameleons. Jackson’s chameleons like basking spots that are 85–90 °F (29–32 °C), but the ambient air temperature can range between 55–58 °F (13–14 °C). [4] X Research source Buy a pet-safe thermometer to go inside the cage. This will allow you to make sure the temperature is right. You can also use a laser thermometer to check the temperature from outside of the cage. Chameleons like it colder at night, so the heat lamp can be on a timer that turns it off at night.
These lights are available at pet stores and from online pet-supply retailers. Replace your UV-B light every 6 months. You can buy bulb output monitors online or from pet stores to help measure how effectively it’s working in the reptarium. Time outside basking in the sun is another way for your chameleon to get Vitamin D.
There is a wide range of misters and drip systems to choose from. For instance, you can get misters and drip systems that have a reservoir tank that you fill every week or 2 that sits outside of the reptarium. These are cheaper and easier to set up than misting systems that are attached to a water source all of the time, in addition to needing water plumbed to the location of your tank for those systems. [8] X Research source Keep a hygrometer in the tank, which measures the humidity levels. Try to find one with a history function so you can check previous humidities to make sure they stay within the correct levels. You can also use a pump sprayer or spray bottle to help increase the humidity. Misting systems are usually more expensive than drip systems. They can also be hard to set up if you get one that needs to be attached to a water source. Whether you get a mist or drip system, be sure that it has a built-in timer.
Paper on the floor of the enclosure will also help maintain humidity. The paper will work well but shredded coconut husks can be added to increase moisture retention.
You will only feed your chameleon a few crickets at a time and crickets don’t live long, so only buy a week or 2 worth of crickets at a time. Baby chameleons need very small crickets. They also like and can survive off of fruit flies. If you’re raising feed crickets or insects for your chameleon rather than buying them, feed them vegetables high in calcium and vitamin A so they’re more nutritious for the chameleon. [11] X Research source
In addition to store-bought bugs, you can give the chameleon bugs, spiders, and moths from your house or garden. A mixed diet is good. Veiled and Jackson’s chameleons will need more supplementary insects since crickets aren’t a good as a sole source of nutrients. [13] X Research source
Gut-feeding food is available at most pet stores and from online retailers. Underfed insects will not give your chameleon all of the nutrients it needs.
Buy calcium powder at your local pet store or online retailer. The calcium powder will have specific directions, including how much powder to use, on its label.
Make sure that you put the lid on securely after putting the crickets in the tank. Crickets have a habit of sneaking out of unsecured lids.
Each chameleon species has different humidity requirements, so check what the tolerable humidity levels are for the species you have so you can make adjustments as you need to. Low-cost humidity meters, or hygrometers, are available at pet stores and from online retailers. You may also be able to find one that connects to a smartphone so you can easily track the humidity levels. If you see your chameleon licking objects in its tank, that is likely because it is thirsty and looking for dew to lick.
Don’t spray the chameleon’s body directly. You can buy a pressure sprayer if you like. Get one at your local hardware store. It lets you spray a very fine mist.
You can find veterinarians that specialize in reptiles online at the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians website. If there are few veterinarians in your area, it may not be easy to find one that has experience treating reptiles. However, you may be able to find one that is willing to learn how to treat exotic pets. [20] X Research source It’s important to know who to go to if your chameleon gets sick or needs preventative veterinary treatment. Don’t get stuck and not know where to go with a sick reptile.
Doing light cleaning every day will help keep your chameleon’s home clean. However, it doesn’t replace deep cleaning of all of the surfaces.
Alternatively, use something naturally disinfectant like vinegar and baking soda. Scrub the surfaces with this mixture and then use hot water and rinse it off well.
Not moving Acting strangely Not eating Skin abnormalities Swollen body parts Falling off branches Growth abnormalities Shivering, twitching, or tremors Swollen or closed eyes Weight loss and weakness Difficulty shedding Inability to launch its tongue fully
A warm room is especially important if you have a wire cage reptarium, since the cage has no insulation. Keep the tank away from cold windows when it’s cold outside.
Make sure that you keep a hold of your chameleon while you have it outside. It’s best to put it in a travel reptile carrier so that it doesn’t escape. Keep the chameleon on your hand or in a wire enclosure so you don’t block the beneficial sunlight. Even 15-30 minutes a week outside can benefit your chameleon, but they still need proper lighting in their enclosure.
