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| General Care |
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These turret-eyed reptiles are quite appealing to the eye. Their mystical ways of
changing color have always been fascinating. Most chameleons are found in Africa and Madagascar, although some species
are found in Yemen, Europe, and C.jacksonii have been introduced into Hawaii. Though they may be nice to look at,
chameleons are not a pet for everybody. If you are looking for the type of pet that you can pet and hug, I sugguest a
furry animal. You must decide if you have the time, money, and patience to take care of a chameleon. However, If you
are determined to get a chameleon, it is imperative that you take much responsibility researching their care. Books,
web sites, and newsletters, such as the Chameleon Information Network, are great places to start. Once you have gotten
tons of information, you are ready for the next step. Preparing your chameleon's habitat.
Chameleons are quite demanding animals, especially in their captive environment. Chameleons should be housed in a large all - screen enclosure to allow for proper ventilation. If chameleons are housed in glass aquaria, chances are that they will develop stress-related diseases such as Upper Respiratory Infections. These can prove fatal to your chameleon. Also, glass enclosures promote a good place for bacteria to grow. This is why you should choose a screened enclosure. Next, you should provide plenty of foliage and branches for your chameleon to climb on. Different small trees, such as ficus or pothos, work well. Most chameleons need high humidity and temperatures between 75-90 degrees. You can provide light, whether it be natural sunlight or flourescent, 10-12 hours a day. Another important element in a chameleon's life is water. Everyday, a chameleon should be given a sufficient amount of water. There are several ways of accomplishing this. A drip system can easily be made by poking a pinhole in the bottom of a plastic tupperware container. You can fill the container with water and allow it to drip for an hour or two, a few times a day. Second, you can mist your chameleon 2-3 times a day. Commercial misters are availible on the market, however a simple hand mister will sufice. You can also put your chameleon in the shower. By placing a small plant in the shower, you can create a great place for the chameleon to lap up water droplets off of the leaves. Run luke warm water so that it sprays the plant. Leave your chameleon in the shower for about an hour. This is a great way to re-hydrate your chameleon. Finally, the third statute in chameleon husbandry is nutrition. Many times, you will see under nourished chameleons throughout many petstores. Other times, they may develop diseases, such as Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD), due to lack of calcium or other vitamins and minerals. For detailed information on this subject, refer to the Nutrition section of this website.
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