How to Care for a Veiled Chameleon
Veiled chameleons can make a good pet for dedicated reptile lovers. They are not usually good for kids because of the dedication and care they require. The veiled chameleon can change its color not only to blend in but also with its mood. Following a few steps you should be able to care for your own veiled chameleon.
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Things You'll Need
- Enclosure
- Substrate
- Plants
- Branches
- Heat lamp
- Thermometer
- Full spectrum lighting
- Lighting timer
- Small dish
- Aquarium bubble stone and air pump
- Spray bottle
Instructions
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1
Make or buy an enclosure for your chameleon. The enclosure should have screen sides to allow for cross ventilation.
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2
Use paper to cover the bottom of the cage as a substrate. Butcher paper or newspaper will work fine and can be changed easily when soiled.
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3
Fill the cage with plenty of climbing branches that are at least as wide as the chameleon. Add enough plants to provide hiding places, perches and sleeping areas.
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4
Provide a thermal gradient in the enclosure ranging from 100 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This is accomplished simply using a heat lamp or two and a thermometer.
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5
Add full spectrum lighting to the cage as this is essential to your veiled chameleon's health. Place all the lighting on a timer to allow for 14 hours of daylight as well as 10 hours of night conditions.
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Maintain a humidity level of 30 to 50 percent by placing a small dish in the bottom of the cage with an aquarium bubble stone inside the dish.
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Mist the plants in the enclosure daily to provide drinking water for your chameleon.
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Feed your chameleon daily with a diet of gut loaded crickets. Gut load them by feeding them store bought cricket food before placing them in the cage with your chameleon.
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Tips & Warnings
Veiled chameleons feet are specially adapted to walk on branches and they dislike flat surfaces. Be sure to offer plenty of climbing branches for your lizards comfort.
Dust the crickets with a reptile vitamin and mineral supplement once a week before feeding them to your chameleon.
Be sure to spray the plants in your cage often with a fine mist of water. Your chameleon will not drink from a water bowl and instead drinks from the leaves of plants that have collected water.
Do not use sand or gravel in the cage as it can be accidentally ingested by your veiled chameleon and lead to digestive blockages.
