Chamaeleo calyptratus (Veiled Chameleon)
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Great beginner chameleon
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Comments:
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Hardy, striking-looking lizards with a tall casques (helmet-like structures) on the tops of their heads.
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The casque is present in both males and females, and aids in steering water that falls onto their heads into their mouths.
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Veiled chameleons have bodies that are banded in shades of green, yellow and brown which adjust to varying shades.
Temp/Humidity:
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Ambient day time temperature between 22 and 26 degrees Celsius.
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Ambient night time temperature not lower than 10 degrees Celsius.
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Basking spot of 29 to 35 degrees Celsius.
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Humidity between 60 and 75%
Enclosure:
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Keep your chameleon individually.
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Screen-sided enclosures for increased airflow.
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Adult male: 60cm L x 60cm W x 120cm H
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Adult female: 45cm L x 45cm W x 90cm H
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Baby or juvenile: 40cm L x 40cm W x 75cm H. At 8 to 10 months old, move to a larger enclosure.
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Interior should be furnished with medium-sized vines and foliage.
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The vines provide important horizontal perches.
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Synthetic plants with plastic leaves (not silk), non-toxic plants such as Ficus, Schefflera, Hibiscus and Pothos; these live plants will provide cover and also help to maintain humidity inside the enclosure.
Lighting/Heating
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Basking light so they can bask and regulate their body temperature.
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UVB lighting, to ensure proper calcium absorption and avoid conditions such as metabolic bone disease (MBD).
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This can be provided by natural sunlight for chameleons kept outdoors.
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For indoor chameleons, use a full-spectrum fluorescent tube.
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UVB rays are filtered out by glass, so place the full-spectrum light on top of the screen, position perches approximately 17cm beneath it.
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Even though they still emit light, their UVB can wear out over time.
Food Consumption:
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Veiled chameleons can be fed a staple diet of crickets that are as long as your chameleon’s head is wide.
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Baby and juvenile veiled chameleons should be fed once or twice a day, with almost constant access to food.
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As they get older, you can feed them slightly less often.
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Adults can be fed every other day.
Water Requirements:
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Spray the enclosure 2 times a day.
Growth Rate:
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The growth rate is fast.
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They can up to 8 years in captivity
Adult Size:
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Male: 60cm
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Female: 45cm
Temperament:
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Docile towards people, regular handling tends to be stressful for them.
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