The Veiled Chameleon,
Chamaeleo calyptratus, is a lizard type species that belongs to the family of
Chamaeleonidae found in the areas of the Arabian Peninsula in Saudi Arabia and
Yemen.
Citation:-
Small Pets for Small Space | Cool Small Pets. Accessed
February 2, 2022.
https://www.cool-small-pets.com/support-files/chameleon-care.pdf
DIET
Many people who keep veiled
chameleons as pets need to be conscious about their diets. It has been
considered that they eat crickets or bugs but it is not so. Most of the time
they get bored of eating the same kind of insects and they refuse to eat and
sometimes they go on “Hunger strikes”. To avoid this situation, variety is the
key and try to offer chameleons different varieties of
To avoid this situation, variety is the key and try to
offer chameleons distinct varieties of vegetables like carrots, potatoes, etc,
fruits like apples, mango, peaches, etc, and dry food like insects.
Insects to eat
The
insects which you give to your Chameleon should be given as “food” to ensure
quality and hygiene which will further enhance your pets’ health. Furthermore,
pet stores do not offer much food to the prey and risk the chameleon’s health.
If you have a veiled chameleon pet, then, it is a suggestion that you must
gut-load that insect for at least 24 hours, then feed the chameleon with the
treat. Here are some suggested insects that could be given as a portion of food
to the chameleon.
Hissing and other various
tropical cockroaches, Hornworms, Fruit Flies (wingless) and house flies, Mealworms, Superworms, Preying mantic,
Silkworms, and many more of these kinds. Remember the phrase “ your Chameleon
would be what it eats” so make sure to gut-load your feeding insect so it
enriches the chameleon’s health.
Green Leaves
Although,
Veiled chameleon’s diet is mostly made up of insects and sometimes it prefers
eating green products. It's usually a hit or miss situation when it comes to
chameleons and greens, some chameleons spend a lot of time chewing on plants,
while others avoid them entirely. If your chameleon is fond of eating plants
then leafy greens are ideal. This green leafy food includes Collard Greens,
Mustard Greens, Endive, Escarole, and Dandelions.
Vegetables
Like
green food, some chameleons hate eating vegetables and some like them a lot. If
your pet loves eating vegetables, here are some suggested vegetables that will
sweeten your experience of having a chameleon. These vegetables include
Carrots, Squash, and Sweet Potatoes. And once you start giving them vegetables
make sure to be regular.
Dietary
Supplements
Dietary
supplements are another significant product in the chameleon’s diet. Vitamin A
and D3, calcium, and phosphorus make a balanced nutritious diet for your
chameleon. ZooMed Reptivite is another excellent
chameleon supplement. It's high-quality, cheap, and contains all of the
vitamins and minerals listed above. Simply sprinkle less Reptivite on your
chameleon's insects or vegetables. Keep in mind that Reptivite includes Vitamin
D3, therefore this should only be done on rare occasions. Calcium without D3
should be served with bread and butter.
Citations:- Ness Exotic Wellness Center. Accessed
February 2, 2022.
https://www.nessexotic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Reptile-Veiled_Chameleon_Care.
pdf.
VEILED
CHAMELEON CARE
The veiled chameleons need
special care to remain healthy and in good shape. This portion is especially
meant for those who want to keep veiled chameleons as their pets. We will be
discussing some common health care points and provide some tips which will
enrich the health of your pet and provide some tips regarding their care.
Water
Water
is necessary for every living organism. The same is with the veiled chameleons
and this is considered to be a major problem among them as they do not drink
from the bowl and prefer drinking drops that are present on the leaves,
specifically mist, and this habit causes kidney diseases due to
dehydration. Keep your pet hydrated by
planting a water drip in their cages.
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UVB Light
The
veiled chameleons need ultraviolet light to utilise their calcium which will
make their bones strong and help their bodies function well. UVB light cannot
transfer from any medium so try to keep it direct so it will penetrate in their
bodies. LinearUVB fluorescent tubes are preferable as they cover the maximum
area of enclosure and change them after every 6 months because the intensity of
UVB light fades away with time.
https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/fun-fact-chameleon-bones-glow-in-the-dark
Diet
Your chameleon should be fed
a variety of foods. Young chameleons should be fed every day, while adults
should be fed 3-4 times a week. Dubai roaches and crickets are two basic
feeders to consider. Waxworms, hornworms, mealworms, and super worms are
supplied less frequently. Certain plants, such as Ficus leaves, Pothos leaves,
kale, and other dark leafy greens, are eaten by some veiled chameleons. To
avoid mould growth, these should be thrown daily.
3 times weekly, dust the food with calcium powder that has
no phosphorus. Once a week, dust the bugs with a multivitamin containing
Vitamin A, such as Nekton-Rep.
To avoid mould growth try to sprinkle calcium powder over
their food 3 times a week.Once a week, sprinkle the bugs with multivitamins
preferably those which contains vitamin A.
Handling
Although
veiled chameleons are territorial and violent toward other chameleons, they
should always be kept separately. While they are normally relatively gentle around people, handling them
frequently might be unpleasant for them. They are pets who like to be
observed rather than handled.
Even though they are calm,
dealing with them regularly may be a hassle.
Citation:- "9 Common Chameleon
Diseases You Need To Know." ChameleonOwner. Last modified May 31, 2020.
https://chameleonowner.com/9-common-chameleon-diseases/
COMMON DISEASES
IN VEILED CHAMELEON
The veiled chameleon suffers
from some health issues and diseases that may result from dehydration,
unhygienic food, or an undesired environment. We are sharing some common health
issues with which chameleons suffer.
Casque Burns
The first and foremost health issue which chameleons have
is casque burning. This is the most common issue and is prone to casque
burning, the topmost point of their heads. This occurs
due to improper distance between chameleons and the heating lamp. When placing
the lamp make sure to put it approx 6” away from the heat source and closely
monitor the temperature instabilities to deter this from happening. If you
notice the casque’s colour getting darker due to burning, rush to the
veterinarian and he will estimate the damage’s extent and make recommendations.
One of the most common health issues among chamelons is
casque burning.
Non-Obstructive
Dystocia
Non-Obstructive Dystocia
also known as egg binding is another common disease among the veiled
chameleons. This occurs due to an undesired environment as they need a proper
area for laying eggs and sometimes want a deep zone of a substrate to dig and
then lay eggs. When female chameleons don’t find the right place for laying
eggs, they stop them in their reproductive tract which results in sticking to
the wall of the tract and may require surgical intervention. If you see your
chameleon is showing signs of being parturient then go to the veterinarian for
guidance.
Gout
Gout
is a disease that is related to the excretion of uric acid, the waste
byproducts excreted by kidneys, in reptiles. Uric acid may be overproduced due
to a kidney malfunctioning or not excreted at all resulting in accumulation in
the bloodstream and deposits in body tissues throughout the body. These
deposits form at the joints resulting in inflammation and arthritis in the form
of gout. The intense form of gout can cause deposits in the reptile's organs,
which has a significantly worse prognosis and frequently leads to death.
Veterinarians may provide medication or lower the protein content in the diet.
https://bewildnc.org/veiled-chameleon
FAQs
Many people are conscious about their pets and want to know
even a minute detail regarding them. So, here we are discussing some most
common questions which are being frequently asked.
Q: Should I keep more than 1 veiled chameleon in the same
enclosure?
A: No! You cannot keep more than 1 chameleon in the same
cage as they are territorial and get stressed when housed together. There will
be more chances of killing each other but it depends on the behaviour of the
veiled chameleon as some don’t bother the existence of the other but some get
upset and start puffing.
Q: How much does a veiled chameleon cost?
A: It is one of the most common questions which has been
asked regularly. The average cost of a veiled chameleon ranges between 30$-100$
depending upon the size. It is one of the most common breeds and is easily
available.
Q: Are veiled chameleons an invasive species?
A: Among the roughly 80 species of chameleons kept as pets,
veiled chameleons are among the most common. Vulnerable chameleons have
developed colonies in both Florida and Hawaii after being released or escaping.
They are considered invasive in Hawaii. Scientists have discovered proof that
veiled chameleons communicate via vibrating plants.
Citations:- https://www.exoticdirect.co.uk/news/10-fun-facts-about-chameleons
Fun Facts
Here are some interesting fun facts about the veiled
chameleons which will startle you and leave you astonished.
●
Male veiled
chameleons change their colors to orange and turquoise when they want to make
their females happy in their reproductive period.
●
Veiled
chameleons sometimes surprisingly bite their owners but it doesn’t affect much
as they are harmless and proves a little distress for humans.
●
They breed
three times a year and females sometimes do not need males for reproduction.
●
Their
affection and loyalty is like a dog and can recognize their owners.
●
Veiled
chameleons are so aggressive about their territory and cannot bear anyone in
their cage.
They can come in different shapes as well
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