Chameleons are truly amazing creatures. This animal has several interesting characteristics, such as the ability to change color, a long tongue that can shoot like a bullet, and a pair of eyes that can each move independently. However, keeping chameleons as pets is not recommended for beginner reptile enthusiasts. If you're interested in buying a chameleon, make sure you know what you're getting into before deciding to go to the pet store and take the animal home.
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Part 1 of 2: Buying a Chameleon
Step 1. Decide if you are ready to buy a chameleon
Chameleons can be pets that require relatively expensive maintenance costs. Before buying a chameleon, decide if you are committed to engaging with a chameleon. You can start by looking for information on the cost of maintaining a chameleon for one year (for example, food, supplies, doctor's care) which can range from Rp. 10 million to Rp. 12 million.
- Check your current household budget. Can you budget for an extra IDR 1 million per month for chameleon maintenance?
- Preparing a chameleon's cage is quite exhausting, not to mention maintaining it. For example, the humidity and temperature of the cage should be monitored daily. The cage also needs lots of branches with leaves that the chameleon can later climb up and chew on.
- Consider talking to a chameleon expert or someone who owns chameleons so you get a better idea of what to expect if you decide to own and keep a chameleon.
Step 2. Choose a reputable pet store or breeder
Buying a chameleon from a reputable pet store or breeder will help ensure it is in good health. Veterinarians specializing in exotic animal medicine can provide recommendations on reputable chameleon breeders. If your city hosts a reptile fair, visit one of these events to get to know the breeders or get a recommendation about them.
- Magazines that cover reptiles can also provide information about chameleon breeders.
- Visit a local pet store to see if they sell chameleons. Otherwise, store employees may be able to provide information about other reputable pet shops that sell chameleons.
Step 3. Purchase captive chameleons
Compared to chameleons caught from the wild, captive chameleons are healthier, experience less stress, and are less likely to catch parasites. In addition to having more parasites, wild chameleons are usually more severely dehydrated than captive chameleons.
- Catching and bringing wild chameleons from their habitat is illegal.
- Sending wild chameleons by mail can shorten their life span due to confinement and can increase mortality during shipping.
- A reputable chameleon breeder or pet shop will not be involved in capturing or shipping wild chameleons.
- Whenever you buy a chameleon, make sure it was bred in captivity, not caught from the wild.
- Among chameleon species, veiled chameleons and panthers are the types most often bred in captivity.
Step 4. Buy a young chameleon
Chameleons can live for varying lengths of time, but most can live between a few years and 10 years. Buying young chameleons will increase the types of chameleons that can be kept as pets.
Step 5. Examine the chameleon for signs of disease
Reputable breeders and pet stores should be able to provide a complete medical history of the chameleon you are considering purchasing. However, you should check the chameleon itself to make sure it is in good health before buying it.
- Check his eyes. Sunken eyes are usually an indication that the chameleon is dehydrated. Closed eyes during the day indicate a general unwell condition.
- If the skin color looks dark or dull, the chameleon may be stressed, sick, or cold.
- Chameleons with bone abnormalities (eg, hunched back, swollen jaw, bent legs) are more likely to develop metabolic bone disease due to calcium deficiency.
- If you notice cheese-like lumps or a greenish tinge in the chameleon's mouth, it may have a bacterial infection called "mouth rot".
- Chameleons don't like to be held. If the chameleon you're trying to buy doesn't resist being held (e.g., hissing, opening its mouth), it's very likely that it's sick.
- To ensure the chameleon is in good health, the breeder or pet shop employee will perform regular stool examinations and perform prophylactic deworming.
- Don't buy sick chameleons.
Step 6. Don't buy a chameleon sent in the mail
You should avoid buying chameleons in the mail for a number of reasons. First, chameleons tend not to survive well on travel. Postal mailing stresses the chameleon a lot and causes it to get sick (or even die) on the way.
Also, buying a chameleon in the mail doesn't allow you to inspect it before it reaches your hands. You probably won't know if he's sick or injured until it's too late
Part 2 of 2: Preparing the Chameleon Habitat
Step 1. Choose the type and size of the cage for the chameleon
Prepare the chameleon's habitat before bringing it home. In fact, you can start preparing for it once you decide to buy a chameleon. Chameleons grow rapidly so you will need to buy a cage that is large enough. The minimum recommended size for a pet chameleon cage is 91x91x122 cm.
- Cages with screened walls, glass terrariums with wire mesh at the top, and large, tall bird cages make great habitation for chameleons. This type of cage is only recommended if you live in a climate where the temperature is above 30 °C. Otherwise, the chameleon will get cold.
- Chameleons like to climb and perch on branches. That way, a tall cage is perfect for him.
- The Vivarium is the ideal solution for chameleon housing. Vivarium has 3 sides made of wood or insulating material, and glass on the front side. Thus, the vivarium will provide warmth efficiently and have good ventilation.
- Local pet stores usually have a variety of cages to choose from.
Step 2. Place the cage in a quiet place in the house
Chameleons get stressed easily. Place the chameleon's cage in a quiet place that is relatively free from noise and distractions. In this location, make sure the cage is not exposed to direct sunlight continuously so that the cage does not get too hot.
Place the cage in such a way that it is in adequate shade during the day
Step 3. Place the substrate in the cage
Substrate will be used to coat the bottom of the cage. You will find it easy to clean and the chameleon will feel comfortable walking on it. Examples of good substrates include food wrapping paper, newspaper, or paper napkins.
- Do not use wood shavings, sand, or moss as a substrate. If the chameleon eats it, it will cause an internal blockage. In addition, such a substrate can be a breeding ground for bacteria, fleas, or fungi.
- Change the substrate weekly, and clean the bottom of the cage with bleach and water.
- The entire cage should be thoroughly cleaned once a month.
Step 4. Place the branches in the chameleon's cage
Since the chameleon is an arboreal creature, it will want lots of branches to climb on and serve as perches. Choose branches of several different diameters. Branches of varying diameter will encourage the chameleon to use its legs in different ways.
- Placing branches horizontally and vertically will also give the chameleon a variety of branches to climb.
- Different branches of different diameters and installed in different directions can be a kind of environmental enrichment for the chameleon.
- Local pet stores usually provide a variety of branches along with containers to secure the branches in the cage.
Step 5. Add the leaves to the cage
It is important to choose the right type of foliage to place in the cage. Hibiscus plants, photos, and figs can be good foliage choices. Fig trees, bamboo palms, and philodendrons can also be good choices.
- Make sure you wash the leaves to rinse off any chemicals that may have stuck to them before placing them in the chameleon's cage.
- You can also use plastic leaves, but real leaves are preferable.
- Spraying the leaves lightly every day will create humidity (ideal humidity is 50-70%) in the cage. Spraying water will also create a water source in the form of water dripping from the leaves). You can buy a sprayer that can be adjusted to spray water periodically at a pet store.
Step 6. Place various light bulbs on top of the chameleon's cage
The lamplight will be a source of light and heat for the chameleon. One type of light bulb you will need is a basking lamp, which will heat a single focal point in the cage. The recommended temperature for the area highlighted by the lamp is around 32-40 °C.
- An incandescent light bulb can be used as a basking lamp, but you may have to try different watts to determine how many watts are needed to produce the desired temperature.
- Fluorescent lamps should be placed next to basking lamps. Fluorescent light will provide UVB/A light, which the chameleon needs to produce the active form of vitamin D3.
- The lamp fixture will help to allow the lamp to be placed above the enclosure.
- Do not use hot stones as a heating source, as this can set the chameleon on fire.
- Night lights are not recommended as they can make the cage too warm for the chameleon at night.
- Use a thermometer to keep the temperature in the cage between 26-32 °C during the day and around 21's °C at night.
- Light bulbs should be replaced every 6-12 months.
Tips
- Chameleons are not interactive animals. If you prefer an animal you can interact with, a chameleon might not be the right pet for you.
- Insects are a major part of the chameleon's diet. You shouldn't be disgusted by handling insects if you want to keep a chameleon as a pet.
- Approach the chameleon slowly so you don't startle it and stress it out.
Warning
- Certain plants are toxic to chameleons. Make sure you do your research to find out which plants are safe for chameleons, and avoid plants that aren't on the list.
- Keeping chameleons costs a lot of money. Don't buy a chameleon if you're not financially ready to take care of it.
