Interested in keeping chameleons? Yes, chameleons are special pets. However, you must ensure that your pet remains healthy and happy. This article will describe the things you need to prepare and do to keep a chameleon.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Choosing a Good Chameleon
Step 1. Make sure you really want to keep the chameleon
Chameleons are very fragile creatures. Therefore, you must really understand the character before deciding to keep it. Chameleons are also not the kind of animal that likes to be touched or held. So if you're craving a pet that can be petted, chameleons aren't the right choice.
Chameleons are very susceptible to stress. They need a quiet environment. Loud music or lively parties are no match for chameleons. These animals also can not relate to other pets. So don't force them to interact with dogs, cats, minks, etc
Step 2. Select the chameleon species
The easy-to-maintain chameleon species are the Veiled, Jackson's, or Panther. Most chameleons are trafficked at 3-8 weeks of age.
The character of each chameleon is also different. Some chameleons like humans, while others don't. If you want to know the behavior of a chameleon, before deciding to buy it, pay attention to when the animal is fed at the pet store
Step 3. Prepare a list of people who can take care of the chameleon when you have to go
Of course, you should know who you can count on to care for and care for your pet when the owner is not around. What's more important is that the person is an animal lover and knows enough how to care for reptiles.
Step 4. Ask the seller lots of questions about the chameleon you want to buy
Salespeople are happy to provide the information and help you need.
Method 2 of 3: Preparation
Step 1. Prepare a cage for the chameleon (also called a reptarium)
Young chameleons will continue to grow. So make sure the cage is bigger, maybe about twice the size of the chameleon you bought!
Do not place the cage near a window when it is cold
Step 2. Once home, place the chameleon into a high-walled glass enclosure with wire-mesh ventilation
Step 3. Put things that support the comfort of your new pet into the cage
Maybe you can place real or fake plants, twigs to climb on, or something that creates appropriate humidity and lighting.
Method 3 of 3: Caring for Chameleons
Step 1. Feed the chameleon
The most common chameleon food found in the market is crickets. You can buy them at pet feed stores. If you can't find such a shop near your home, feel free to buy one online or use a delivery service. Avoid feeding bees and wasps as chameleon food.
- Chameleon babies need small crickets. You can also give him fruit flies. Baby chameleons love fruit flies and can eat them.
- There is a term "gut loaded" crickets. That is, the crickets are cultivated with nutritious food so that the reptiles that eat them will get the nutrients they need. These crickets are also rich in calcium. Thus, the chameleon also gets additional calcium at the same time.
- In addition to crickets, chameleons also like roof caterpillars, hongkong caterpillars, super caterpillars, moths, grasshoppers, and flies.
- You still have options other than store-bought food. You can give the chameleon food from the garden such as insects, spiders or moths. It's also great if you give him a variety of food choices. Especially if your chameleon eats insects in a neighbor's garden. Your neighbors will be very grateful.
Step 2. Give your chameleon a drink
There are various ways to feed a chameleon. If the chameleon seems to be licking shiny objects, it could mean that your pet is thirsty and looking for dew.
- Spray or sprinkle water on the leaves or walls of the septarium for the chameleon to lick.
- You can buy a toy waterfall at a pet store. The price is a bit expensive, but the shape is good, you know.
- Some people have succeeded in teaching chameleons to drink from a bottle. Take a look, who knows you may also train a chameleon to be obedient like a dog!
Step 3. Make sure your chameleon's cage is kept warm
First prepare a thermometer that can be inserted into the cage. Then, place the lamp on the ceiling of the reptarium. This way, the chameleon will approach the light and bask there when it's cold and stay down when it's hot. The chameleon's basking area only requires a regular 60-watt bulb. However, you also need to prepare a full spectrum lamp (full spectrum) because ordinary light bulbs are not capable of providing UV light. The sunbathing area is at least around 29-33 degrees Celsius.
- At night chameleons prefer cold air. Of course the temperature in most homes is sufficient for this need.
- Look for a quality full spectrum UVA/UVB lamp. Make sure you buy a regular light bulb, not a CFL (compact fluorescent). The light bulb helps the chameleon's body produce vitamin D, which can absorb calcium.
- Basking in the sun is another way for chameleons to get vitamin D.
- The floor of the cage must be made of a material that is able to retain moisture. Coconut coir is an excellent material for keeping the cage moist.
Step 4. Make sure the chameleon's cage is sufficiently damp
Purchase a hygrometer or humidity meter. If the humidity is below 50%, adjust the water system so that the chameleon is comfortable. However, very high humidity, which is above 80%, is actually detrimental to the chameleon because moss and mold will thrive in the cage.
- Use a drip system. You can buy the kit at a pet store near your home or via the internet. It is recommended to buy a drip kit with a timer.
- Spray your chameleon. You can use a spray bottle that is sold in many stores. Spray water on the leaves in the cage. The result, in addition to maintaining moisture, chameleons can drink it too. Make sure you spray warm, not hot, water.
- Purchase a pressure sprayer if you really need it. Pressurized sprayers can be found at garden or handyman supply stores. The water that comes out of this tool will be very smooth.
- Purchase an automatic spray system. The price is indeed expensive and sometimes not easy to install.
- Manually, feed your chameleon via a syringe that is inserted into the mouth or a special bottle for rodents. Needleless syringes can be obtained at pharmacies. Drop water directly into the chameleon's mouth. It's possible that when you give him a drink, the chameleon isn't thirsty so he won't suck. However, don't worry. If the first try didn't work, try another time.
Step 5. Interact with your chameleon
Indeed, you are not required to interact with pet chameleons because basically these animals do not need it. However, it's fun to interact with chameleons. Each chameleon has a different personality. Some are more approachable, while others may not be. One great way to interact with chameleons is to hand feed them. This way, the chameleon will not be aggressive towards you. Chameleons also like to bask in direct sun. So, you can interact with it when you take it outside to sunbathe.
- You must know how to interact safely. Don't let you lose this clever camouflage pet.
- Basking in direct sunlight will provide UVA / UVB to the chameleon's body. Remember, UVA/UVB are needed by healthy chameleons. So, sunbathing is not only a chameleon's favorite activity, it's also beneficial for its health!
Step 6. Keep the cage clean
Get rid of all animal carcasses if you don't want parasites and bacteria to come in. Before cleaning the cage, move the chameleon first so you don't feel disturbed.
- You can make a cleaning solution using water and a little dish soap. Spray the cleaning solution on walls, floors, and artificial plants. However, don't hit real plants. Wipe with a tissue to dry. Spray the chameleon's cage and dry it again with a tissue.
- Or, use natural germ killers like vinegar and baking soda. Mix with warm water and rinse thoroughly.
- Change the bedding frequently to get rid of dead insects, flaky skin debris, animal droppings, moss, or mildew, etc.
- Clean the cage daily or every few days.
Step 7. If you have a female chameleon, watch for signs that it is ready to lay eggs on her body
The technical term is "pregnant".
- Female chameleons start laying eggs after about 4-6 months of age. During the year they can lay eggs up to 3 times.
- Read a lot of articles about how to care for pregnant chameleons. These egg-laying chameleons need a place to dig and lay their eggs.
Step 8. Find and establish a relationship with a veterinarian who can treat reptiles
When your chameleon is sick, don't sit around because you don't know who to call.
Step 9. Record the chameleon care process for the handle of the person who will care for the chameleon when you travel out of town
Tips
- Chameleons change color when they are cold, stressed, or sick.
- Remember, chameleons are solitary animals. The presence of other chameleons actually causes discomfort. Introducing other chameleons into the vivarium is strictly prohibited. Chameleons are disturbed by the presence of other chameleons, except when they are very small. After a year, the chameleon should begin to separate. In some cases, the separation must even take place before the chameleon is a year old.
- You can use an aquarium for young chameleons. However, there is nothing wrong with buying a reptarium so that the chameleon gets good air circulation. A 4 month old chameleon needs a larger cage.
- If the chameleon seems to be having a hard time swallowing the bugs, you'll need to give him a smaller meal.
- Chameleons are very good at camouflaging or camouflaging themselves. So, don't lose track of the new pet in its cage!
- Place artificial bushes in the cage.
- You also need to take care of the insects that the chameleon feeds on. Meet the food needs of these insects by providing potatoes, cabbage, fish chips, carrots. Don't forget to add insects to the chameleon's diet.
- Some chameleons like pools for bathing or drinking.
- You can use tongs to dip worms or crickets in calcium or other nutritional flour before feeding them to the chameleon.
Warning
- Don't touch the chameleon's back. These animals do not like to be touched and can throw a tantrum.
- Don't force the chameleon out of the cage or do anything else if you don't want to see it angry.
- Avoid using a used spray bottle for hair care products. If you are reckless, the consequences can be fatal for the chameleon. Better to buy a new spray and clean it before use.
- Wild insects may have been exposed to pesticides.
- Giving too much water can cause problems for the chameleon.
- Chameleons will find it difficult to digest large winged insects.
- It is recommended to keep a male chameleon. The female chameleon must lay eggs under certain conditions, as well as dig the soil to store them. If your cage can't meet these needs, the chameleon will die.
- Wild chameleons are more difficult to maintain. In addition, his body may carry parasites or disease.
- Avoid using thread lights. It is advisable to use a full spectrum lamp to prevent your chameleon from Metabolic Bone Disease.
