Veiled Chameleon Care Guide

Species Info: Hailing from Yemen and Saudi Arabia, veiled chameleons are one of the largest species commonly available in the pet trade. They are also capable of stretching out their body and veil (also known as a casque) to make themselves appear large and leaflike, or menacing to predators that can see them. The veil itself could serve multiple roles, from heat dissipation, pooling of water droplets, and/or species recognition.           

Level of Care/Handling: Medium-advanced. Chameleons do not make good starter pets due to their low tolerance for husbandry mistakes and easily stressed nature. While it is possible to obtain a chameleon that does well with handling, they should still be regarded as a display species first and foremost.

Length/Lifespan: Male veiled chameleons are the larger sex, capable of reaching 2 ft. in length including the tail. Females usually max out around 18 in. As for lifespan, males will typically live 5-8 years while females usually don’t live past 4. This is because the burden of reproduction is, for whatever reason, especially tough on females (and they can lay infertile eggs without ever coming into contact with a male).  

Temperature/Lighting/Space Requirements: During the day your chameleon’s enclosure should have a heat gradient ranging from the low 70’s to low 80’s, and a basking spot of 85-95 degrees. This is best accomplished by placing a heat lamp of appropriate wattage on top of the enclosure, allowing your chameleon to thermoregulate by moving closer or further away. Set up perching so that the chameleon cannot get more than 6 in. closer to it. They will also need UV lighting since they are a diurnal lizard (active during the day). It is recommended to keep babies and small juveniles in a smaller cage (16x16x20 or smaller). Adults shouldn’t be kept in anything smaller than a 16x16x30 and will use as much space as you give them. Screen cages are always recommended over glass as most chameleons need much more air circulation than glass can provide. Veiled chameleons are not a communal species and any older than babies should not be kept together. 

Humidity/Water Requirements: Humidity should nearly always be high, which either be accomplished via an automatic mister or heavily hand-misting the enclosure 2-3 times a day. This will also allow your chameleon to hydrate itself as needed, as they get their water by lapping it off plants/walls/etc as opposed to from a bowl. We have only ever known one of our chameleons to drink from a water bowl.

Tank Flooring: Substrate is optional, but if you live in a drier area it may be helpful to keep the bottom lined with paper towels or Eco Earth to retain moisture and keep humidity up.

Tank Decoration: Chameleons do well with a heavily decorated enclosure with ample climbing space, which can be provided by plants and appropriately-sized vines. Whether they’re live or fake is up to the owner, but live plants do hold moisture better which makes humidity retention easier. Floor decorations can be disregarded as your chameleon will spend almost none of its time there. 

Diet: Veiled chameleons are omnivorous, mostly subsisting on insects and leafy greens. Good staple insects include gut-loaded crickets and dubia roaches, with superworms, waxworms, butterworms, and hornworms being occasional treats. Suitable greens include calcium-rich ones like collards and mustard, turnip, and dandelion greens.

Feeding Frequency: Greens should be offered every day regardless of age, your chameleon will only eat as much as it needs. For insects, babies should be fed 5-7 food items twice a day, once for juveniles, and every 2 days or so for adults. Insects should be dusted with calcium and multivitamins 2-3 times a week for babies/juveniles and once a week for adults.

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