Chameleons

Reptiles are cold blooded - they must utilize their environment to properly regulate their body temperature. It is critical that captive reptiles are able to both warm up, and escape the heat as they wish.

Chameleons can be extremely temperature sensitive and need strong gradients. Montane and cooler-climate species: a warm basking spot of 85°–90°F. Lowland, desert and warmer-climate species: a hot basking spot of 90°–100°F. All chameleons overheat easily, so always be sure to keep a cool side at 70°–75°F. Never let the cool spot exceed 75°F; your animal can become heat-stressed, dehydrated or die if it's not able to escape the heat.

Hydration is paramount to successful chameleon care. Chameleons rarely drink from bowls, though a shallow bowl with easy access in and out is often recommended. Keepers should mist and/or run a water dripper at least twice each day, spraying or dripping until enclosure decor is well saturated and water droplets form on cage decor. Avoid flooding the enclosure. Drip cups, automatic misting systems and timers make this easier.

Fill the enclosure top to bottom with plenty of thin branches for climbing, plus live and/or artificial plants for cover and to catch sprayed and dripped water.

Chameleon enclosures should be well ventilated, with screen walls and/or a gentle fan. Enclsoures should be vertically oriented, and as large as possible; the smallest chameleons need no less than a 30-plus-gallon enclosure, and it has to be large enough to hold a proper gradient. An all-screen enclosure for outdoor use is great for good-weather days.

Peat moss, coco fiber or small orchid bark, kept damp for tropical species and dry for desert species. Nothing too large to swallow or pass if ingested by accident.

There are more than 200 recognized species of chameleons in the family Chamaeleonidae. Some of the most commonly kept pet species in United States herpetoculture include: panther chameleons (Furcifer pardalis), veiled chameleons (Chamaeleo calyptratus), Jackson's chameleons (Trioceros jacksonii), and the Malagasy giant chameleon (Furcifer oustaleti). These iconic lizards are well known for their ability to change colors, the incredible way that they move each eye independently, and for the way they catch prey shooting out a long sticky tongue.

While beautiful, chameleons can be delicate captives requiring specific, specialized care.

Offer a variety of live insects: crickets, flies and their larvae, wax worms, silkworms. Some species also take leafy greens and grated vegetables and fruit. Hand feeding builds trust. Remove excess uneaten prey.

Indoor animals: lightly dust all food with a quality calcium/D3 and vitamin/mineral mix. Outdoor animals: dust every other feeding with a calcium and vitamin/mineral mix without D3. Without supplements, chameleons can develop vitamin and calcium deficiencies that can be fatal.

Give chameleons as much unfiltered natural sunlight as possible, always with access to deep shade. Indoors, run a full-spectrum light for 12 to 14 hours a day in addition to any heat lamps. Full-spectrum lighting aids metabolism of key vitamins and minerals and may help prevent calcium and D3 deficiencies. Thermostats help prevent overheating; small computer fans help with ventilation.