The veiled chameleon is a beautiful and exotic reptile that is gaining popularity as a pet. With their stunning colors, inquisitive eyes, and charming personalities, it’s easy to see why.
However, caring for a veiled chameleon requires dedication and an understanding of their specific needs. As a beginner, having a complete care guide is essential to providing your new pet with a healthy, enriching life.
This care sheet will provide everything you need to know about veiled chameleon care and ownership.
Veiled Chameleon Facts and Information
Before bringing home your new veiled chameleon friend, it’s important to understand some key facts about the species. Here is some background information on these fascinating lizards:
Scientific Name and Origin
- Scientific Name: Chamaeleo calyptratus
- Natural Habitat: Originating from the mountainous woodlands of Yemen and Saudi Arabia
Physical Appearance and Attributes
- Size: Males reach 18-24 inches long. Females are smaller at 12-16 inches.
- Lifespan: 4-8 years in captivity with proper care.
- Color: Vibrant green, yellow, turquoise, and brown. Males are more brightly colored than females.
- Eyes: Can rotate and focus independently. Allows for 360 degree vision.
- Tongue: Can extend up to 1.5 times body length to catch prey.
- Tail: Prehensile tail acts as a fifth “hand” for gripping branches.
- Feet: Zygodactyl feet with opposable toes provide excellent grip for climbing.
| Category | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Average Size of a Veiled Chameleon | Total Length |
| Adult Male | 17-24 inches (43-61 cm) |
| Adult Female | 10-14 inches (25-36 cm) |
| Newborn | 1.5-2 inches (3.8-5 cm) |
Behavior and Temperament
- Primarily arboreal; spends most of time in trees and bushes.
- Moves slowly and cautiously through environment.
- Ambush predators that wait motionlessly for prey.
- Solitary in the wild. Male chameleons are territorial.
- Can be handled but prefer minimal contact. Stress easily.
- Communicate mood through color changes. Dark colors indicate stress/aggression.
Housing and Enclosure
Veiled chameleons are arboreal lizards that spend their time climbing through branches and leaves in the wild. Their enclosure should mimic this natural environment as much as possible.
Enclosure Type
The most suitable housing for a veiled chameleon is a screened, wire cage or an all-glass terrarium. Terrariums maintain heat and humidity better while wire cages provide maximal ventilation.
An ideal setup is a glass terrarium with a wire mesh top.
Enclosure Size
As arboreal creatures, veiled chameleons need more vertical space than floor space. The minimum recommended size is:
- Hatchlings (under 3 months): 12″ x 12″ x 24″ tall
- Juveniles (3-12 months): 18″ x 18″ x 36″ tall
- Adults: 24″ x 24″ x 48″ tall
The more room you can provide, the better. Go as large as your space allows.
Inside the Enclosure
Substrate
Veiled chameleons do not require any specific substrate, but an absorbent, easy to clean material is best. Good options include:
- Paper towels or plain newspaper – easy to replace and remove waste
- Reptile carpet – soft and easy to clean
- Coconut fiber – absorbs moisture well
Avoid sand, gravel, and other loose substrates that could be ingested.
Plants and Foliage
Plants help recreate the veiled chameleon’s natural habitat. Provide plenty of branches, vines, and leafy foliage for climbing and hiding spots.
Good plant choices include:
- Ficus
- Pothos
- Philodendrons
- Hibiscus
- Schefflera
- Dracaena
Live plants help maintain humidity. Position them throughout the enclosure but avoid directly under the basking spot where they could dry out.
Hiding Spots
In addition to plants, veiled chameleons need hiding spots to feel secure. Provide:
- Hollow logs or cork bark tubes
- Artificial foliage clumps
- Branches positioned to form hiding spots
Hides should be placed near the top of the enclosure for climbing access.
Accessories
- Water dish: Provide a shallow water dish on the cooler end of the enclosure.
- Misting system: An automated mister helps maintain humidity. Alternatively, hand misting twice daily is sufficient.
- Temperature & humidity gauges: Digital or analog gauges should be placed at both the cool and warm ends to monitor conditions.
Temperature, Lighting and Humidity
Proper temperatures, lighting, and humidity levels are extremely important for a veiled chameleon’s health. Here are the ideal environmental parameters to maintain:
Temperature
- Basking area: 85-95°F
- Cool end: 70-80°F
- Nighttime: 65-75°F
Use a combination of overhead ceramic heat emitters, basking bulbs, and under tank heat mats (regulated by thermostats) to create a temperature gradient across the enclosure. Place thermometers at both ends to monitor.
Lighting
Veiled chameleons require abundant UVB light for calcium metabolism.
- UVB bulb: Use a Reptisun 5.0 or 10.0 fluorescent bulb. Replace every 6 months.
- Photoperiod: Provide 12-14 hours per day.
- Basking light: Use a 50-75W incandescent bulb in a dome fixture.
Read full review on recommended ReptiZoo 5.0 UVB Bulb
Humidity
Veiled chameleons thrive at 50-60% humidity. Increase levels by:
- Misting the enclosure 2-3 times per day
- Using a humidifier or fogger
- Providing pools of water under foliage
- Keeping live plants
Use a hygrometer to monitor humidity levels.
Feeding and Nutrition
Veiled chameleons are primarily insectivores but will also eat some vegetable matter. Their diet should consist of:
Insects
- Crickets
- Mealworms
- Waxworms
- Hornworms
- Roaches
- Small locusts
Juveniles: Feed 10-15 appropriately sized feeder insects 2-3 times daily.
Adults: 7-10 insects once daily.
Treats: Waxworms and hornworms 2-3 times weekly.
Produce
- Mustard & collard greens
- Kale
- Bell peppers
- Carrots
- Green peas
- Figs
Dice vegetables small and offer 2-3 times per week. Remove after 24 hours.
Supplements
- Calcium powder (with and without D3)
- Multivitamin powder
Lightly coat prey insects in supplement powders at every other feeding.
Handling and Interaction
Veiled chameleons are sensitive lizards that do not enjoy excessive handling.
Limit contact to:
- Health examinations
- Moving to a temporary holding enclosure for terrarium cleaning
- Occasional interaction (15 minutes max)
To pick up a veiled chameleon:
- Approach slowly and avoid sudden movements
- Gently place one hand below front legs, support the abdomen with the other hand
- Carefully lift straight up to avoid twisting the spine
- Never grab your chameleon by the tail or forcefully pull off a perch
Health and Illness
With the proper environment and nutrition, veiled chameleons can live 4-8 years in captivity.
Be alert for these signs of illness and potential health issues:
- Dark black coloring: Indicates stress, improper temperatures, or illness
- Lethargy or loss of appetite: Possible metabolic or digestive disorder
- Swollen eyes or nasal discharge: Could be a respiratory infection
- Bent limbs or trouble climbing: Potential metabolic bone disease
- Eggs bound in female: Seek vet care immediately
Schedule an annual check-up with an exotic veterinarian to monitor your chameleon’s health. Quarantine new chameleons for at least 30 days before introducing them to other pets.
Here is a table with 2 columns showing healthy signs and sick/alarming signals for a veiled chameleon:
| Healthy Signs | Sick and Alarming Signals |
|---|---|
| Bright green, yellow or turquoise coloring | Dark black coloring |
| Active, alert, regularly moving around | Lethargic, inactive |
| Eats regularly and enthusiastically | Loss of appetite |
| Clear, wide open eyes | Swollen or watery eyes |
| Smooth, even skin | Irregular, lumpy skin |
| Solid, well-formed feces | Runny, bloody, or unusual feces |
| Breathes easily with no noises | Wheezes, gurgles, or makes breathing noises |
| Perches and climbs normally | Trouble climbing, bending limbs |
| Male has large, rigid casque on head | Small, soft, or indented casque |
Habitat Maintenance
Follow these handy tips when cleaning the chameleon cage:
- Scrub the furnishings with a 3% reptile-safe bleach solution, and rinse them with water.
- Remove all the feces and urate waste.
- Replace the disposable substrate.
- Clean the misting system for the veiled chameleon.
- Dry the enclosure, decors, and furnishings.
- Regularly check with UV of the emitting sources.
- Ensure the basking spot and temperature gradient are within the permitted range.
- Make sure there is no more bleach smell before placing the lizard back to its home.
Breeding Veiled Chameleons
Breeding veiled chameleons requires experience but can be attempted with a mature, healthy pair. Here is a brief overview of the process:
- Introduce the female to the male’s enclosure. Observe behavior and watch for signs of aggression.
- Provide nesting sites such as boxes of potting soil mix when the female appears gravid (15-30 eggs will be produced).
- Incubate eggs at 80-85°F. Hatching occurs after 4-9 months.
- Raise hatchlings separately in small, simple enclosures.
Consult breeding guides for more detailed instructions on incubating eggs and raising hatchlings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big do veiled chameleons get?
Male veiled chameleons reach 18-24 inches in length from the snout to the tip of the tail. Females are smaller at 12-16 inches long.
What is the best enclosure type for a veiled chameleon?
A glass terrarium or reptile cage with a wire mesh top provides the balance of heat retention, humidity, and ventilation that veiled chameleons need.
Can you handle a veiled chameleon?
Veiled chameleons do not particularly enjoy handling but occasional gentle interaction is possible. Limit handling to 15 minutes or less at a time to avoid stress.
How often do you need to mist a veiled chameleon’s enclosure?
Their enclosure should be misted 2-3 times per day to maintain proper humidity levels between 50-60%.
What temperature does a veiled chameleon enclosure need?
Maintain a temperature of 85-95°F in the basking area and 70-80°F on the cooler end. The nighttime temperature can drop to 65-75°F
What do baby veiled chameleons eat?
Newly hatched veiled chameleons can be fed pinhead crickets, fruit flies, mealworms, and other tiny feeder insects 2-3 times per day.
How can you tell if a veiled chameleon is stressed?
Signs of stress include darkened black coloring, puffing out their throat, hissing, and gaping their mouth open. Limit handling and maintain proper husbandry.
Conclusion
Caring for these stunning yet sensitive lizards takes dedication. With sizable mesh enclosures, abundant foliage, controlled lighting and heating, a varied insect-based diet, and careful handling, your veiled chameleon can thrive in captivity.
Use this comprehensive veiled chameleon care sheet to give your new pet a long, healthy, and enriching life. Be sure to thoroughly research their needs before making the commitment.
With attentive care, your veiled chameleon will be an eye-catching addition to your home.
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