Originating in Yemen and Saudi Arabia, veiled chameleons are one of the most popular types of chameleons and are considered a good first choice for any novice homeowner. Most chameleon veterans recommend veiled chameleons or panther chameleons to beginners, and Carpet Chameleons is second place. When it comes to chameleon species for beginners, Veiled Chameleons really take the cake. This popular species is native to the Arabian Peninsula, which is why it is also known as the chameleon of Yemen.
Veiled chameleons reproduce easily in captivity, and captive-bred animals are healthier and more resistant. They are usually parasite-free and are already acclimated to life in an enclosure. Both males and females have hooves, of which they are given names, but the casque is more pronounced in mature males. They grow to be between 12 and 24 inches long.
If properly cared for, veiled chameleons live for 4 to 8 years. Veiled chameleons need a large, well-ventilated enclosure with a sunbathing area of 80-85°F and a humidity of 50-65%. The MINIMUM enclosure size for a single adult is 2 ft x 2 ft x 4 ft. Females tend to stay mostly brown and tan with some colorful patterns.
This is a large chameleon, with females reaching an average length of 9 to 13 inches and males reaching a length of 14 to 21 inches. Panther Chameleons require large, well-ventilated rooms with a sunbathing area of 90 to 95° F and a humidity of 40 to 60%. Enclosure must be at least 1.5′ x 1.5′ x 3′. This is a small species; they reach lengths of 6.5 to 10 inches.
Again, in violation of the chameleon norm, adult males and females are usually the same size. They thrive in a small, well-planted enclosure with a sunbathing area of 90 to 95° F and a humidity of 50 to 60%. A single adult can thrive in a 1′ x 1′ x 2′ screen enclosure. They are usually bright green with traces of blue and yellow.
With a size of 8 to 12 inches long, they are a kind of medium-sized chameleon. Males have a relatively long lifespan of 8 to 10 years, but Jackson's Chameleons females still live only 4 to 5 years. Parson chameleons are considered to be the heaviest of true chameleons, but not the longest, reaching lengths of 18 to 28 inches, but often weighing more than 700 grams. They are usually gray or brown in color, but occasionally show bright reds and greens.
Like the veiled chameleons, the male chameleons of Oustalet have a prominent helmet on their heads. Helmeted chameleons grow to 10 inches in length. A desirable trait of this species is its long lifespan of 10 to 12 years. They are only 7 to 12 inches long and their bodies are olive brown or lime green with darker specks.
Being such a modest size, they only require a 1.5' x 1.5' x 2' cabinet. They reach 9 to 16 inches in length, with a body shape similar to that of their close cousin, the parish priest's chameleon. Males have a short, hard bump on their nose, reminiscent of a horn bump. Cuban false chameleons can live in a modest 1.5′ x 2′ x 1.5′ enclosure with a 90°F sunbathing spot and 70% humidity.
Veiled chameleons are undoubtedly one of the most popular species in the reptile trade (and a great pet for beginners). This is due, in large part, to its ease of care and its beautiful coloration. Unlike other popular types of chameleons in the trade, this type is quieter when it comes to color. Many chameleons can be trained in some way to tolerate handling, but if you want a pet that you can cuddle and cuddle regularly, then you might want to look elsewhere for another type of pet.
However, if you have a particular type of chameleon in mind that you would really like to take care of, proper preparation, rigorous research and a good network of support for breeders are your best weapons to give your chameleon pet the best life. Like Veiled and Panthers, Jackson chameleons will thrive in enclosures with dense foliage on one side (“forest edge” type) with a hiding place hidden from view. However, it is important to note that veiled chameleons are not a good option if you are looking for the best management of lizards, since they are less tolerant to handling than other types of chameleons. There are types of chameleons that generally have a mild disposition, such as Jackson's chameleon, but this is actually just a behavioral trait where Jackson chameleons often prefer to sit still in the presence of a predator or a source of stress.
As a first-time owner, in addition to carefully choosing the type of chameleon to care for, consider buying from reputable and practical breeders, so you have someone to consult about your new pet. While they eat most types of insects, it is best to supplement their diet with snails, since that is their main source of food in nature. So instead of picking any chameleon at random and hoping that everything works out, we need to research different types of chameleons to find out whether or not we can take care of a new lizard properly. Veiled chameleons thrive in a “forest edge” foliage arrangement, with one area of the enclosure dense with plants and the other serving as an open spot for sunbathing.
The type of chameleon you choose can be determined by your willingness to provide the right care for these beautiful creatures. There may be more than two hundred different species, but only a handful of chameleon types that make the best pets. . .
