Chameleons live in a variety of habitats, from rainforests and lowlands to deserts, semi-deserts, scrub savannas, and even mountains. Many live in trees, but some live in grass or small shrubs, fallen leaves, or dry branches. In general, most chameleons need very large enclosures with good fresh air circulation. Because most are arboreal (live in plants or trees), they need large plants to climb.
Many like to be occasionally sprayed with water, and everyone needs a regular source of dripping water to drink. Like bearded dragons, chameleons also need access to natural sunlight or a lighting device that provides intense, warm, full-spectrum light. 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 are arboreal (they climb trees), so they need vertically oriented habitats with different levels of climbing to regulate their body temperature. The different species of chameleons have adapted to a wide variety of ecosystems. Chameleons can be found in rainforests, mountain rainforests, savannahs, and even deserts.
The vast majority of chameleon species live in trees, but some species live in the ground. To help you achieve this, I've made a list of the 11 essential accessories you need to create a happy habitat for your chameleon pet. They don't get too hot either, which is important because, although chameleons need heat, too much heat can cause them distress, more health problems, and make them feel uncomfortable. The ideal size of a chameleon cage is 24 x 24 x 48, as it gives your chameleon plenty of room to climb, but also to hide when needed.
The one I use and recommend is the Reptibreeze Extra Large available on Amazon. So make sure that the table, dresser, or whatever you choose to place the cage allows it. It also ensures that it is sturdy and able to withstand some water damage. I had my chameleon's cage on an old wooden table and when my chameleon passed by, the wood was quite worn and the water damaged by the amount of water it has been exposed to over the years.
Of course, this can be prevented with an effective drainage system, but it's something to keep in mind. This is absolutely essential for the survival of a chameleon. Chameleons absorb UVB light from the sun, allowing them to produce vitamin D3 in the skin. This, in turn, allows them to absorb calcium from their food, without this, the chameleon will eventually develop metabolic bone disease, a terrible disease in which a chameleon's bones twist and deform.
Obviously, the sun is not available to provide this in captivity, so as guardians we must also imitate this in its enclosure. This is done by using a UVB bulb and a kit that is placed on top of the housing. My favorite is the Arcadia 6%, which conveniently comes with the included accessory. You can also choose the Reptisun LED UVB 5.0, which comes with essential LED bulbs built in for full spectrum lighting.
UVB bulbs should be changed every 6-9 months because, even if they continue to work, the amount of UVB rays they emit will drop to levels that are too low to benefit your chameleon. I was always amazed at how much my chameleon animated and showed brighter colors every time I changed its UVB bulb. These are led lights that mimic daylight for your chameleon and are essential for improving their vision. Many lights are labeled full spectrum, but only those between 6000k and 6500k are appropriate.
Having a hygrometer like this allows you to constantly measure three things at once. Humidity, which should be between 50% and 60% depending on the species, the ambient temperature of the rest of the cage and the sun point used by the probe. Simply place the device on the side of the cage and you're done. Your thoughts? 2- You say a cage with a mosquito net is better.
What happens to cigarette smoke in the house? Will this affect them? I like the idea of the screen, but I was thinking of going with a glass house because of the smoke. A pet chameleon requires a fairly elaborate habitat and will need the right cage, decoration, humidity and care to be happy and healthy. An additional benefit of having a suitable habitat is that your pet will be more active and entertaining. The afternoon sun can be warmer, so more care is needed to provide a cool and protected shelter for the chameleon.
Making sure they're at the right level is extremely important to your chameleon's health and well-being. There are products on the market specifically for chameleons that provide a constant source of dripping water for drinking. A peace lily (Spathiphyllum) and a pothole (Epipremnum) provide “stopping sanctuaries” along the wall between the window area and the umbrella tree, so that the chameleon is not stressed by a long walk through the open space from one point to another. Perhaps the most common mistake of a novice chameleon owner is not realizing the absolute dependence of chameleons on specific wavelengths of light.
Remember, the natural habitat of a chameleon makes them live high above the forest floor, much higher than your head would be. Being territorial and solitary animals, chameleons must be kept alone; males are especially aggressive towards each other. An umbrella tree (Schefflera pueckleri) is where the chameleon usually sleeps and hides when they don't want to be seen or disturbed. With relatively simple modifications (such as adding some appropriate plants), the right type of room can turn into a great home for a large chameleon.
The owner is also able to interact more positively with the chameleon and often observe more natural and interesting behaviors than would be seen in a cage. Chameleon feet have three toes that point in one direction and two that point in the opposite direction, giving them a good grip on the branches of trees where they spend most of their time. In addition, allowing some exposure to natural sunlight through an open window (glass filters out almost all the UV radiation needed) will help keep chameleons happy and healthy. True chameleons are mostly carnivores, which means they rely on insects or other animals as a food source.
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. . .
