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Companion Reptile Care SERIES the Veiled Chameleon

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Companion Reptile Care SERIES the Veiled Chameleon cham.qxd 8/10/2007 3:43 PM Page 1 VEILED Most Common Disorders The veiled chameleon of Veiled Chameleons (Chamaeleo calyptratus) is a •Dystocia (egg-binding) large, colorful, and robust lizard •Metabolic bone disease indigenous to coastal regions of CHAMELEON •Toenail loss / foot infections Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Now well •Intestinal parasites established in captivity, it is one •Respiratory / sinus / ocular infections of the most popular and widely •Stomatitis / periodontal disease recommended chameleons for •Abscesses / cellulitis / osteomyelitis the novice reptile keeper. •Loss of tongue function •Kidney disease A characteristic feature of this •Hemipene prolapse species is the impressively high •Dehydration casque on the head. Adult males have a higher casque than females. Having your veiled chameleon examined on a regular basis Some authorities have suggested that by an exotic animal veterinarian who is familiar with the casque may serve to collect reptiles can prevent many of the common disorders above. and channel water, such as morning dewdrops or fog, into the mouth. Others believe that it functions to dissipate heat. A more recent hypothesis suggests that it may amplify a low frequency “buzzing” used by this species to communicate with one another. Veiled chameleons also possess prehensile tails, long whip-like tongues, independently moving eyes, zygodactyl feet, and a spectacular array of changing colors. Zoological Education Network provides educational ©2007 Zoological Education Network materials about exotic companion animals. 800-946-4782 561-641-6745 www.exoticdvm.com CompanionC Reptile Care SERIES cham.qxd 8/10/2007 3:43 PM Page 2 What Your Veterinarian Looks for in a Healthy Veiled Chameleon Active and alert What to Expect from Your Veiled Chameleon Eyes open and clear attitude hameleons are unique, attractive and fascinating 24 hours before feeding them out. lizards that require special care. Providing • Other live prey might include occasional snails, Cproper care demands dedication and knowledge. small lizards and pinkie mice. Veiled chameleons are among • Live prey can be offered either in deep containers or the largest, most resilient and allowed to free roam. Be aware that hungr y free- V ital Statistics Mouth free of Total length: males 17-24 inches (43-61 cm) most popular chameleons in the roaming insects can chew on chameleons and will excessive mucus females 10-13 inches (25-33 cm) pet marketplace. They are well sometimes cause injury to them. Chameleons need Tongue retracted Body weight: males 100-200 grams known for their beauty, to be conditioned to eat from a container, but once fully within the mouth females 90-120 grams extreme territoriality and Average life span: males 4-8 years this behavior is learned, this will reduce insect females 2-4 years aggressive behavior. Veiled dispersal in the enclosure. Good foot grip No missing toenails Skin clean with no excessive chameleons can tolerate mod- strength Age of sexual maturity: 6-8 months • Appropriate-sized prey items should be offered or toe swelling accumulation of shed erate handling by their owners, every day for juveniles, and 2-4 times a week for but in general are considered display animals that do adults. Tail curl with strength not fare well with excessive handling. • For vegetation, try offering a shallow bowl with Is Your Veiled Chameleon mixed greens and assorted chopped vegetables and a Male or Female? fruits. Hibiscus and ficus plants are also relished. The easiest way to sex a veiled chameleon of any age Water and Supplementation How to Keep Your Veiled Chameleon Healthy, Happy and Safe! is to look for a small “tarsal spur ” on the back of the ✓ • Free-ranging chameleons drink the dew from leaves Take a newly purchased veiled Housing for your veiled chameleon It is important for a veiled hind leg. These are present in males and are lacking in chameleon to an exotic animal should: chameleon to avoid: and other wet surfaces. In captivity, they generally veterinarian for a wellness ✓ be at least a 10-gallon size ✗ being housed together with females. Additionally, males possess a larger casque examination and fecal check for will not drink from a bowl. Their enclosure should enclosure for juveniles. another chameleon height than females and have a greater total body parasites. be misted once to twice daily so that they may ✓ consist of a screen enclosure ✗ being bred before reaching its ✓ Quarantine new chameleons in a length. Males and females display distinctively differ- for adults: minimum size 24” x full adult size (usually 9-12 drink from wet surfaces as they do in the wild. separate area of the house for at 24” x 36” (61 x 61 x 91 cm). months) ent color patterns. least 30 days. Water should also be provided in a “drip system,” Glass aquariums are acceptable ✗ sharp edges in the enclosure What Should You Feed Your Chameleon which can range from simple drip cups and melting ✓ Keep chameleons physically and only for hatchlings and small visually separate from one juveniles. ✗ free roam of the house Veiled chameleons feed primarily on live, moving ice cubes to more elaborate automatic drip line another. ✓ have no substrate, only plain ✗ insect prey. Vegetation is enjoyed by some veiled systems. Chameleons that are not watered regularly cats, dogs, or other predators ✓ Deliver water by misting the plastic or glass as cage flooring. ✗ direct contact with heating chameleons and may also be part of their captive diet. are susceptible to dehydration, which can lead to cage daily and by using a drip ✓ be easy to clean with good elements or light sources system. • The insect portion of the diet may consist of severe illness. ventilation. ✗ excessive handling ✓ Provide heat with a basking commercially-raised crickets, silkworms, roaches, • Vitamin and mineral supplementation is contro- ✓ provide branches for climbing light 6-12 hours a day. ✗ overheating mealworms, superworms (Zophobas), waxworms, versial in chameleons; consult with your exotic and artificial or real plants for ✓ Include exposure to artificial shelter. and other live insects. Wild-collected insects are animal veterinarian. Dusting prey items with a UVB lighting or natural sunlight ✓ maintain a gradient of tempera- 10-12 hours a day. also beneficial, as long as they are collected from a calcium supplement is probably beneficial. Prey tures in the daytime, from pesticide-free area. Prey items should be fed are dusted daily for juveniles, while prey are 65-75°F (18-24°C) on the cool end to 90-110°F (32-43°C) on a high quality diet (“gut-loaded”) for at least supplemented every 2-3 feedings for adults. the warm end. Text and photographs by Marc H. Kramer, DVM.
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