If you happen to suppose all chameleons are the identical, then it’s possible you’ll be shocked to know that you simply’ve been misled. The reality is that there are a number of various kinds of chameleons generally stored as unique pets, and so they every have distinct options that require particular sorts of care.
The excellent news is you could simply study extra concerning the sorts of chameleons earlier than you decide one as much as take residence. You’re in the proper place to find which type of chameleon is best for you. Let’s get began.
First, do you actually desire a chameleon?
Chameleons should not generally known as simple pets to look after. Actually, they’re a bit choosy and have a number of care quirks which can be the identical for any chameleon you get. Listed below are the large issues to know, simply in case the proper chameleon for you occurs to be no chameleon in any respect.
Stay away from glass
Glass terrariums are fairly commonplace enclosures for quite a lot of herps. To maintain a chameleon, nonetheless, it’s important to have an enclosure with mesh screens as an alternative. Chameleons require extra airflow than most different reptiles, and they’re going to die in a glass enclosure.
Should climb
A chameleon’s ft are designed for gripping branches in an effort to get round. They’re an arboreal species, which means that their native habitat is on bushes. Along with requiring a terrarium with good airflow, additionally they want a tall area with loads of branch-like objects or crops to climb. Oh yeah, and so they don’t notably like being touched or dealt with.
Water snob
You might be shocked to study that chameleons are choosy about their water sources. Not like different reptiles, you can not merely put a water dish of their enclosure. Actually, when you do, your chameleon will snub it. They don’t drink standing water.
If you happen to determine {that a} chameleon is the proper unique pet for you, you’ll must closely spray the leaves and branches in its enclosure with water at the least as soon as a day, and extra for sure species. Chameleons drink from the water dripping off leaves and different habitat décor.
Forms of chameleons
Okay, now that you already know the fundamentals, right here’s the place the assorted sorts of chameleons differ.
Veiled chameleon
The veiled chameleon is essentially the most generally stored pet chameleon. Additionally it is most frequently really helpful for inexperienced persons as a result of it adapts properly to captivity and requires barely much less humid and moist situations than different chameleons. You solely must spray its enclosure closely as soon as a day to offer consuming water. That being mentioned, veiled chameleons develop pretty giant and require a whole lot of area. They eat a mix of bugs and inexperienced leafy greens.
Panther chameleon
The panther chameleon is just like the veiled chameleon. It, nonetheless, requires increased humidity ranges, which could be tough to take care of whereas retaining airflow going. This chameleon wants its enclosure misted with water a pair instances a day along with one heavy spraying, and it eats each bugs and inexperienced leafy greens. Panther chameleons don’t deal with stress properly, are extremely territorial, and have a tendency to not dwell lengthy in captivity.
Jackson’s chameleon
If you happen to’re in search of a chameleon that takes up much less area, Jackson’s chameleon is a smaller species. But it surely’s tiny dimension doesn’t essentially make its necessities simpler. It wants its enclosure closely sprayed thrice daily. (After all, you may put a watering system on a timer to satisfy this want.) Not like the veiled chameleon and panther chameleon, Jackson’s chameleon eats solely bugs, no greens.
Come see our chameleons at The Tye-Dyed Iguana. You may ask our staff members questions on how we deal with them.
