VEILED CHAMELEON
|
 | Veiled Chameleons are among the most popular
chameleon species kept as pets. This is a beautiful
large species of chameleon that has fascinating
behaviors. Chameleons require daily care and are
considered higher maintenance than many other
reptiles. Veiled Chameleons are a good choice for
beginning chameleon hobbyists, yet are challenging
for a beginning reptile keeper. Captive bred Veiled
Chameleons are readily available and are always
recommended over wild caught animals.
- Common Name:Veiled Chameleon
- Scientific Name: Chamaeleo calyptratus
- Distribution: Saudi Arabia, Yemen &
surrounding areas. - Size: 8-18″
- Life Span: Males: 6-8 yr,
Females: 4-6 yr
|
HABITAT |
- Zoo Med’s Reptibreeze® Open Air Screen Cages are the perfect match for Veiled Chameleons.
- The Iguanarium® is an excellent choice for adult Veiled Chameleons.
- Provide plenty of climbing branches and broad leaf plants to create cover and climbing opportunities.
- Be sure that any live plants being used are non-toxic because Veiled Chameleons will occasionally eat plants.
- Offer branches of varying sizes to help your growing chameleon develop a strong grip.
|  |
HEATING | - Daytime Terrarium Temperature: 72-80° F
- Basking Spot: 85-90°F Nighttime Temperature: Above 50°F
- Zoo Med’s Basking Spot
Lamp™, PowerSun® and Repti Halogen™ Lamps are great choices for heating chameleon enclosures. - Chameleons prefer a drop in temperature at night, we recommend a low wattage heat bulb such as a Nightlight Red or Nocturnal Infrared Heat Lamp.
|  |
|
| LIGHTING | - UVB Lighting is essential for chameleons to process calcium in captivity.
- Zoo Med’s ReptiSun® 5.0 or
10.0 Linear or Compact Fluorescent Lamps are a great choice for providing chameleons with UVB. The PowerSun® is an excellent way to provide both UVB and Heat all in one lamp! - Without UVB lighting chameleons will develop serious health problems such as Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD).
- UVB Lighting should be left on for 10-12 hours per day and turned off at night.
|  |
|
SUBSTRATES | - Cage carpeting such as Zoo
Med’s Eco Carpet™ is the
easiest substrate to maintain
chameleons on. - It is strongly recommended
that hatchling chameleons are not kept on any type of loose substrate. Eco Carpet™ is the safest and cleanest choice for young chameleons. - ReptiBark®, Forest Floor™, and Eco Earth® can be used as a nesting substrate for adults. Provide a nest box with at least 4″ of substrate in all enclosures that house adult females.
|  |
|
NUTRITION | - Veiled Chameleons are
insectivorous animals and will
require a varied diet of insects. - Insects such as crickets and
mealworms are a good staple
diet. We recommend “gut-loading” your feeder insects with Cricket Care™ prior to feeding your animals. - Zoo Med’s ReptiCalcium® and
ReptiVite™ with Vitamin D should be added to food as directed. Calcium and multi-vitamins are critical to keeping your growing
chameleon healthy and active. - Veiled Chameleons occasionally
will eat leafy greens if offered. - Feed Daily and remove all uneaten insects from the
enclosure after feedings.
|  | WATER | - Veiled Chameleons prefer to drink or lap water from leaves. This can be replicated in captivity by offering a drip system or
a misting system. - Zoo Med offers several products that will allow you to provide your
chameleon with water. The Big Dripper™ will allow you to drip water onto leaves from above
the cage. - The Habba Mist® will provide a scheduled misting of your terrarium.
- Always add ReptiSafe™ Water Conditioner to your tap water to remove Chlorine and Chloramines.
|  |
|
|
#1 in Reptile Products Worldwide
