Chameleons' natural habits make it difficult to care for them. Chameleons are arboreal, which means they live exclusively in trees. They need cages with ample foliage for climbing and privacy, and the enclosure must be quite large. Chameleons aren't that difficult to care for once you've got their setup right.
Once the configuration is correct, it's much easier to take care of them. However, they require more attention and vigilance than most other pets to make sure they are happy and healthy. Chameleons are solitary, silent creatures that require very little attention from their human parents. So unlike most other pets, these eye-catching pet reptiles are better kept for viewing, not handling.
In addition, it causes a lot of stress in the chameleon, and stress is one of the main causes of their health problems. However, one caveat: Chameleons are very difficult to maintain and inexperienced reptile owners should not start with this reptile. That said, they're not the most difficult exotic pet to care for either. A “good pet chameleon” is not necessarily an easy “reptile” to maintain.
This species generally lives between 6 and 8 years as a pet and male veiled chameleons are known to grow to a foot long, which is quite large and will require a larger enclosure. The veiled chameleon is known for its ability to adapt well to more captive conditions than some of its counterparts. A chameleon's cage should be large enough to allow proper exercise and accommodate a “three-dimensional playground” of branches of different diameters with leaves to cover. This non-profit organization is dedicated exclusively to helping chameleon lovers learn more about them and how to care for them properly.
You can also add a large piece of bark and reproduce as much as possible the natural habitat of your chameleon with, for example, hiding places or relief elements that allow it to climb. While some species come from drier climates, such as the veiled chameleon, others come from more tropical areas. Panther chameleons are also generally docile and their care requirements are relatively easy compared to many other lizards. Because chameleons are generally a more independent animal that can easily get stressed, they are not the best option for younger children.
While each chameleon species requires variations in their housing and care needs, there are some general concepts that remain the same for everyone. While I wouldn't recommend them for a first time pet owner, if you read all of the above and are willing to do whatever it takes to keep your chameleons happy and healthy, then go ahead and adopt one. There are several species of “true chameleon”, many of whose native habitats range from Yemen and Saudi Arabia south to Madagascar and parts of East Africa. Some good heat sources that can be used outside your chameleon enclosure (placed 12-24 inches from the cage walls) are 50-75 watt incandescent bulbs, ceramic heating elements (commercially manufactured), or so-called “heat lamps”.
Red bulbs and ceramic elements can be used 24 hours a day, without affecting the daily light rhythms of chameleons. I recommend feeding your chameleon by hand or placing all of their food in a bowl so that your pet recognizes the bowl as their source of food.
