Caring For A Chameleon As A Pet
Nowadays, more and more people choose to adopt a chameleon as a pet. In addition to their exotic beauty, these peculiar reptiles are independent and do not require constant attention from their guardians.
Although they do not need continuous attention, chameleons must receive specific care to maintain good health and balanced behavior. Next, we will know a little more about them.
Considerations before adopting a chameleon as a pet
As with any other pet, before adopting a chameleon it is necessary to take into account some aspects to ensure responsible adoption and upbringing.
Adopt with awareness
When thinking about adopting a chameleon, many people turn to a store that specializes in exotic pets. However, the sale of pets often encourages the raising of animals as a commodity.
In many pet stores, the business is not the welfare of the animal, but the profit. Consequently, it is common to find overloaded hatcheries, where various species live in unsanitary conditions.
Nor is it advisable to acquire a pet, independent of its species, with a private individual. Remember that the trafficking of exotic animals is a sad reality that condemns thousands of species to imprisonment and mistreatment.
In order not to promote these practices, we must not acquire a pet online or from sites that are not duly approved as breeders.
The best way to adopt a chameleon as a pet is to visit an exotic animal rescue center. In these institutions, we find reptiles, birds and other exotic pets that are waiting for a new home and a caretaker who offers them the love they deserve.
In addition, in these places we can also count on the guidance of volunteers and professionals specialized in caring for a chameleon as a pet.
Know the different species of chameleon
Although they may be similar to the naked eye, there are more than 160 recognized species of chameleons, all of them belonging to the Chamaeleonidae family. Each of them has its own characteristics and needs, and knowing them will allow us to adopt the necessary care to offer them a healthy and balanced life.
With this data, we will be able to condition the home and our times to offer our reptile the optimal conditions for its development. In addition, by knowing better the behavior and character of each species, it is possible to choose the one that best suits our lifestyle and our times.
Guarantee that we have the time and the necessary commitment
While chameleons don’t demand as much attention as a dog or cat, raising them also requires commitment. These exotic lizards need a complete and balanced diet, as well as an optimal hygiene of their terrarium and a warm environment with controlled humidity.
Basic care of a chameleon as a pet
The ideal environment for your chameleon
Your chameleon will spend most of its days in its terrarium; therefore, it is essential to prepare and condition it properly. Before the arrival of the reptile to its new home, we must go to a pet store.
It is important to choose a large terrarium. Ideally, it should be at least 60cm long x 60cm wide and 120cm long.
The next step will be to think about the setting of the terrarium to recreate the natural habitat of the chameleons as best as possible. On the ground, we will make a gravel or earth base, in which we will hold some firm branches and some vegetation, such as small ferns or pileas , creeping ficus, crypt, etc.
Then it will be essential to provide optimal lighting for your little lizard’s terrarium. In general, it is recommended to opt for fluorescent or compact tubes suitable for terrariums or fish tanks. When fixing them, we must choose the upper part of the terrarium, where the animal cannot touch to avoid burns.
It is also essential to ensure that the temperature is always around 27ºC to 29ºC during the day, dropping to 20ºC or 18ºC at night. For its part, the ambient humidity should be between 50% and 100%, so we will need to spray your terrarium with fresh and clean water 3 to 4 times a day.
Food and health of the chameleon as a pet
In the wild, chameleons are important predators that basically feed on insects. When adopting a chameleon as a pet, it will be essential to provide it with a fresh, complete and balanced diet.
These reptiles hardly accept to consume feed or dead animals; For this reason, we must obtain the live and fresh insects , with the guarantee of their good origin. The best way to achieve this is to go to a store specializing in exotic pets.
To supplement your chameleon’s nutrition, it will be necessary to offer calcium regularly and some vitamins periodically. To find out the appropriate amounts for the age and specific needs of your chameleon, we recommend consulting a specialized veterinarian.
Finally, we recall the importance of providing adequate preventive medicine to a chameleon as a pet. Consultations every six months with the expert veterinarian will be essential to verify the health of your lizard and prevent any disease.
