Chameleons are regarded as a somewhat difficult pet to own due to their very specific care needs. However, if you’ve had some experience with lizard keeping or are up for the challenge, they are both fascinating and entrancing.
Continue reading to learn what you must provide to guarantee your pet chameleon’s well-being.
Water and food
Chameleons thrive on a wide range of insects. So try to feed your pet as many different types of insects as possible. Crickets, super worms, mealworms, wax worms, roaches, and wax moths are all excellent food sources for chameleons.
Prior to feeding, prey food should be gut-loaded with calcium and dusted with a calcium supplement. Small portions of other fruits and vegetables, as well as some wholesome leafy greens but not spinach, cabbage, or lettuce, can be provided because chameleons will enjoy eating them occasionally.
They typically won’t drink from a dish because they get water from droplets on leaves. A drip system or misting the canopy at least twice a day must be used to ensure adequate water intake.
Housing a chameleon
Chameleons are challenging to maintain due to their ingrained habits. Since they are arboreal animals, they only reside in trees. They require a sizable enclosure with cages that have lots of foliage for privacy and climbing.
In order to prevent toe injuries, vinyl-coated wire or poly mesh is preferred in a cage that is screened on three sides and has adequate ventilation.
For climbing, it is necessary to provide branches of varying diameters, and the majority of the cage’s area should be covered with these branches or live vegetation. As the chameleon might eat the foliage, make sure the plants aren’t poisonous. Small-particle-containing substrates such as gravel, bark, sand, or moss ought to be avoided in order to safeguard the chameleon against accidentally ingesting them while capturing prey.
A chameleon’s enclosure must also have a number of basking areas with varying temperatures. At higher temperatures, some chameleons are happiest, while others are happier at lower temperatures. Make sure to do your homework on your breed’s particulars.
Light
Chameleons need to be exposed to UVA and UVB rays. Allowing a bit of exposure to natural sunlight via an open window will keep them happy and healthy. 10 – 12 hours of UVB light per day are ideal.
Veterinarian services
Deficits in calcium and vitamin A are common in chameleons and are typically caused by a poor diet. Chameleons are also prone to infections around the mouth (known as stomatitis or mouth rot), which can make them drool excessively and exhibit redness.
Metabolic bone disease is another condition that chameleons frequently suffer from. The bones of chameleons become spongy due to this condition, which can be fatal if it is not treated properly. They might lose their appetite and appear lethargic.
The best course of action is to seek the advice of a vet who primarily works with reptiles whenever your pet exhibits symptoms of illness or stress. Avoid using home remedies before consulting a veterinarian.
Many different species of chameleons are kept as pets. Jackson’s Chameleon, Veiled Chameleon, and Panther Chameleon are a few options. If you think that you are up to the challenge of taking care of a chameleon as a pet, let Allan’s Pet Center help you get one for yourself. Please talk to us to learn how we can help you.
