Veiled Chameleon - Chamaleo calyptratus
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Veiled
Chameleon - Chamaleo calyptratus
[Back to Lizard
Care Sheets]
General Information
Distribution — West Africa - Yemen and into southwestern Saudi Arabia
Habitat — Veiled Chameleons inhabit lowland, mountainside, and plateau habitats that are characterized by a moderately warm, slightly humid climates.
Adult Size — An average adult male Veiled Chameleon is usually between 46 and 50 cm (18 - 19.5 inches) total length while adult females are typically between 30 and 35 cm (11.8 - 13.8 inches). Hatchlings have a total length ranging from 5.8 and 7.5 cm (2.3 - 3 inches) and grow to adult size in approximately one and a half years.
Temperament — Chameleons are very sensitive to stress. Although they rarely if ever attempt to bite, Veiled Chameleons do not respond well to handling. Handling usually causes the animals to go off their food and eventually die of stress and starvation. Furthermore, these animals do not tolerate each other and may become aggressive with cage mates.
Longevity — Females live for 3 - 4 years while males live to be between 4 and 5 years of age in captivity. Note: Breeding females usually reduces their life expectancy.
Captive Care
Rating: 3 — Readiness to feed and adult size it receives a better rating than most. Can be difficult animals because they don't tolerate a great deal of handling and they are susceptible to metabolic bone disease. Watch for really young specimens - don't by one less than 4 - 5 weeks old. At this age they are usually between 3 and 5 cm long (not including the tail).
Diet: Hatchlings and Juveniles - pinhead crickets, small meal worms, wax worms, other insects, and some fruits and vegetables (tomato, peach, banana, mandarin, cherries, romaine lettuce, etc.); Adults - adult crickets, super/jumbo meal worms, wax worms, and the same types of fruits and vegetables as the hatchlings and juveniles.
Temperature: 25o to 37 oC (78o-99oF) during the day and 20o to 25oC (68o-78oF) at night.
Space: Adult Veiled Chameleons can be housed a 35 - 50 gallon terrarium. However, a custom enclosure 80 x 70 x 169 cm (31.5 x 27.5 x 63 inches) is ideal. Another alternative is to purchase a large plant (over a meter in height) and make a base with a 30 to 60 cm (12 - 24 inch) fence around the edge. Place the plant in the center of the base. Your chameleons will stay in the plant and will be unable to climb over the fence. A feeding bucket can be strapped to the trunk of the plant and lights suspended above for heat and UV exposure.
Breeding: Veiled Chameleons naturally breed once a year in September and October but in captivity they will breed 3 to 4 times a year. Clutches range in size from 20 to 50 eggs although reports of up to 70 have been made. The eggs should be incubated at temperatures between 32 oC (during the day) to 22 oC (at night). At these temperatures, incubation will take between 168-220 days. The most important factor is to make sure that your animals are getting plenty of high quality food to ensure proper recovery of the female after the eggs are laid.
Special Requirements: This species is a hardy animal in captivity. The primary reason for premature death is stress and the source of the stress is usually unnecessary handling. Do not handle these animals unless you absolutely have to. Veiled Chameleons, like other sun-loving lizards, require full spectrum lighting and heat to absorb and metabolize calcium. Therefore, a full spectrum fluorescent light and a heat lamp are a must for this species. Finally, Veiled Chameleons will not drink from a water dish. A light misting or a drip system should be used to provide them with water on a daily basis.
Sources (Suggested Reading):
de Vosjoli, Philip and Gary Ferguson. 1995. Care and Breeding of Chameleons. Advanced Vivarium Systems, Lakeside, California. Pp. 128.
Bartlett, R.D. and P. Bartlett. 1995. Chameleons. Barron’s Educational Series Inc., New York. Pp. 103.
Bartlett, R.D. and P. Bartlett. 1997. Lizard Care from A to Z. Barron’s Educational Series Inc., New York. Pp. 178.
Le Berre, Francois. 1995. The New Chameleon Handbook. Barron’s Educational Series Inc., New York. Pp. 128.
Rogner, Manfred. 1997. Lizards, Volume 1. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida. Pp. 317.