The chameleon is acknowledged for its camouflaging properties and is widely kept as an exotic pet.These fascinating creatures are very striking as they can change color but keeping a pet chameleon is more than that. There are different varieties to choose from as they can range from very small to large size.Chameleons are identified for their bright and beautiful colors and how they change their color. It is a part of the pet trade as people like to keep them as exotic pets. Nevertheless, this group of reptiles requires more care, but they can certainly make a good pet if properly cared for. The size can range from small to and tail that enables them to climb. They are very sensitive, primarily feed on insects, and their temperature requirement may differ. Like every other species, Chameleons have distinct in order, suborder, clade, family, genus, species, and subspecies. Chameleons are not ordinary reptiles as they are specialized lizards about which we have discussed below. Chameleons are primarily reptiles and can be found in different parts of the world, although their population may vary.They belong to the class of Reptilia, order Squamata, sub-order Iguania, clade Acrodonta, family Chamaeleonidae and two subfamilies Brookesiinae and Chamaeleoninae. It has further 12 genera and over 200 species. The size of pet chameleons can range between 0.59-27.0 in (1.5-68.5 cm) approximately. They have green colors, vertical stripes, a long tail, and a large crest. Out of all the various species, Veiled chameleons, Jackson’s chameleons, Panther chameleon, Four-horned Chameleon, Carpet chameleon, and a few others make great pets. Before getting chameleon pets at home, it is essential to know about their temperament and behavior because it becomes a companion.Therefore, the bond shared between the pet and the keeper is sometimes based on the pet’s temperament. The chameleon can be evaluated as one of the slow-moving solitary animals. Even in the wild, they are found primarily solitary. They are generally not aggressive and mainly shy. However, if they feel threatened, most chameleons can get aggressive. Although chameleons can change color, they are not born with it, and they acquire this by the time they become five months.Chameleons are those reptiles that can easily get stressed; therefore, it is important to look after their requirements carefully. The change of colors can also be associated with the change of mood. Dark colors such as black or brown are associated with stress, while bright colors such as yellow, blue, and green are associated with a happier mood. The temperament and moods of chameleons can also be influenced by their habitat.Thus one needs to know and learn about the pet chameleons before getting them as they require more care and maintenance from most of the pets. Further in this article, we will learn more about the species and how they are as pets. So keep reading this article as more interesting facts are stated below.Feel free to check out friendly pets and the friendliest chicken breeds and share these amazing facts with everyone.Is it legal to have a chameleon as a pet?Chameleon is widely kept as a new pet, but they are considered exotic pets. Many chameleons whose conservation status is vulnerable or endangered, and there are laws to protect them.The Veiled chameleon is illegal to keep in many countries, so do various chameleon species; therefore, before buying, ask for the accurate CITES paper from the breeder or seller. Most exotic animals are forbidden to be kept as a pet in Hawaii. In Australia, all species of chameleons are illegal to keep. However, some special permits and licenses might help you keep chameleon as a pet.Is a chameleon a high-maintenance pet?It is important to properly care for any pet, but sometimes some pets are considered high-maintenance as a lot of effort and work are required to maintain them. Yes, a chameleon is high-maintenance because it is an exotic pet; therefore, its care and maintenance are generally more than most other species of pets.Several species of chameleons require more care than most pets as they can get easily stressed. As chameleon is a solitary animal, it prefers living all by itself. Chameleons live in the cage all by themselves, and there are chances that they might get hostile towards other chameleons in the same cage. The cage of the species has been big enough and spacious with enough vegetation. It must have proper light and water source and temperature control to maintain humidity. The temperature required depends on the types of species.Regular misting is to be done to get enough water to drink, or a drip system has to be installed. Cleaning the cage is also required to stay healthy, including putting clean litter in the cage. The chameleons prefer living in trees and climbing up the cage; therefore, vinyl-coated mesh or poly mesh serves as the right cage screen. Food and light are integral in raising a pet chameleon as they are very sensitive. They need proper light exposure, food, and even ventilation to keep them healthy.Therefore along with food, the habitat condition has to be met too. The mood and health of a chameleon pet at home largely depends on the temperature, light, and food, as these three are fundamental needs. May chameleon prefers high temperature while others prefer low temperature, for example, the Veiled chameleons 90-100 F (32-38 C) while Jackson’s chameleon needs 80-85 F (27-29 C) in the warmer region. The temperature has to be approximately 65-70 F (18-21 C) during the night. Humidity is another important factor as the humidity level has to be between 60-85%.Misting maintains the humidity level as chameleons drink from the water droplets that form on the wet leaves. A heat lamp is a good heat source to maintain the right temperature. Chameleons also need 10-12 hours of UVA and UVB rays. A fluorescent bulb that emits UVA and UVB can call do this sunlight is not sufficient. The diet of chameleons has insects, primarily such as mealworms, crickets, wax worms, that has immense calcium to support their nutritional need. Occasionally greens such as various types of leafy vegetables can also be fed.Types Of Chameleons That Are Good PetsThere are over 202 species of chameleons, and not each of these species is going to make great pets. Some chameleon species can be hard to tame despite them being docile species. Here are some of the popular species that are being widely kept as a pet.The most popular chameleons that will make a great pet chameleon could be Panther Chameleon, Jackson’s chameleon, veiled chameleon, Four-horned Chameleon, Ambilobe panther chameleon, Cuban false chameleon, Parson’s chameleon, Pygmy chameleon, and many more.The Panther Chameleon is composed of vivid colors such as bright yellow, green, blue and is quite big. The veiled chameleon is perfect for beginners and is also called the Yemen chameleon. Yemen chameleon pet is has green as its base color and is not as colorful as the panther chameleon. As the name suggests, the Four-horned chameleon has four horns on the head, whereas Jackson’s chameleon has three horns. If you desire to keep a small chameleon pet, you can go for a Pygmy chameleon that can grow as long as 3 in (7.6 cm).Every pet is susceptible to specific health issues, and so does the chameleon. However, one should never ignore the symptoms and take veterinary advice. Nutrition deficiency and bone diseases are some of the common issues it faces. As stated earlier, diet and habitat are very important chameleons can get easily stressed out, which may affect their health as the most common problem.Other health issues of chameleon species include upper respiratory infection, and there are symptoms to look out for, such as excessive mucus and bubbling around the region of nose and mouth. Kidney failure is a common cause of death and Metabolic bone diseases. To avoid metabolic bone diseases, 10-12 hours of exposure to UVA and UVB rays is mandatory. The average chameleon lifespan could be around 3-10 years, but all these factors can affect its lifespan.Chameleon: Buying GuideWild chameleons are generally challenging to tame, and not all of them are going to be tamed. Therefore most people choose to buy them but buying them is not as easy as it seems therefore here a quick chameleon buying guide that will enable you to choose better. The growth, development, lifespan depends very much on the surroundings and habitat. A chameleon requires a particular type of living space with all the basic amenities that it needs. Here are details of the necessary conditions that a chameleon requires as a pet.Depending on the size of the chameleon, a cage has to be made as a big chameleon would eventually require a large cage or glass terrarium. The cage has to behave small tree as the chameleons are arboreal and can be seen resting on tree branches. The vegetation inside the cage has to be sufficient with proper temperature and humidity. A heat source and light source have to be arranged if the requirements are not met. Regular misting and a water dripping system need to be installed.Before getting a pet chameleon to be very specific about the species that you are trying to buy and do a detailed study on it. Be sure to teach yourself the temperature and humidity requirement, as it can vary from one species to the other. Check if this species is protected under any law or not to avoid any judicial problems. Examine the prices of the chameleon and the breeder you are trying to get it from.If you are a beginner, go for chameleons that are easy to maintain and choose captive breed over wild imports as they can be hard to contain. If you have a child or children at home, keeping a pet, particularly a chameleon, is completely different from keeping them in a home without children. Children get easily attached to pets; therefore, it is important to know if they get along or not. Children can be curious about everything present in the house, especially a pet.Unlike other animals, chameleons can be challenging to deal with because of their sensitive temperament. They are non-aggressive but can act accordingly to the situation they are put in, and if threatened, they can be hostile. One cannot just take it out from the cage and pet it like other pets. Therefore if children are present, one has to be cautious, so the children do not hurt the pet chameleon.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created many interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for a chameleon pet, then why not take a look at birds as pets or Blue Jay facts?
The chameleon is acknowledged for its camouflaging properties and is widely kept as an exotic pet.
