Description: Tree dwellers from the mountainous regions of Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Quite hardy and prolific, this is the most commonly bred and available chameleon species. Usually grows to between 14 and 18 inches, males are larger than females. Average lifespan in captivity is 4 - 7 years. Both male and female veiled chameleons are territorial and aggressive toward other chameleons and must be kept separately.

Temperature: 75° to 85°F daytime, 70° to 80°F at night, basking spot 90° to 100°F. A choice of warm and cool areas should be available for the chameleon to utilize.

Humidity: Humidity should be kept fairly low.

Lighting: Full spectrum or reptile fluorescent lighting should be used to provide the chameleon with needed UVB rays. One or more basking areas must be provided.

Feeding: Veiled Chameleons are somewhat omnivores. The main diet consists of insects, occasionally they will consume leaves and blossoms, especially during times of drought or when water is scarce. Most of their captive diet should consist of crickets but also give them mealworms, silkworms, butterworms, waxworms, superworms and various pesticide-free wild insects. Also offer some lettuce, spinach and other green leafy vegetables. A good vitamin/mineral supplement should be given 1–2 times a week for adults and more often for young, growing chameleons. Like other chameleons, veiled chameleons prefer to drink water that is in droplet form. Either the leaves should be sprayed twice a day, or a dripper system should be used. Ice cubes can be placed on the screen lid to let water drip onto plants.

Habitat: The stagnant air in a glass aquarium can cause respiratory problems so a screen enclosure must be used. Provide a lot of branches, leaves and vines to climb on. Using paper towels or newspaper on the bottom makes cleaning easier, or use reptile carpet, coco fiber, etc. If the weather is warm enough and over heating can be prevented, an outdoor cage is very beneficial.

Sexing: Males have a small, fleshy triangular appendage on the rear of their hind feet called a tarsal spur and their casque is much taller. The adult male’s base color, depending on mood, is a bright lime green to a dark olive drab and is marked with stripes and spots of yellow, blue, and brown. Juveniles and non-breeding females are usually a uniform green color with white markings. Breeding females are dark green with yellow and blue spots. Females are sexually mature at 4 to 5 months old, 8 to 12 inches long.

Breeding: Can breed up to three times a year. If the female is not sexually receptive or after mating is successful (one or more times), she will display warning colors to the male and should be removed. A gravid veiled chameleon’s abdomen will swell as oviposition time approaches, 18 to 30 days after mating. 30 to 80 eggs are buried in warm, moist sand and will take 4 to 9 months to hatch at a temperature of 75° to 80°F during the day. A small temperature drop at night seems to increase the hatching success rate.

ENJOY YOUR PET LIFE FORMS, Dave & Donna