We hope you enjoy your new Chameleon. Welcome to the Cham Fam!

Chameleon Care and Housing:

  • Housing

  • Lighting

  • Feeding and Supplementation

  • Watering

  • Disease Prevention and Control

  • Chameleon Boarding

Important Note:

Care is the most important aspect of owning ana animal, and Chameleons are no different. We recommend the most simple and effective way to care for your chameleon(s). First of all, we would like to stress on the importance of cleaning after your new pet. Bacteria, diseases, and parasites can spread quickly through dirty environments, so it is essential to clean up after your Chameleon every day. Crickets in the cage that have not been eaten yet will be looking for food -this means that they will eat anything that is left in the cage, including fecal matter left in the cage. There is a chance that a cricket or roach can digest it, which can possibly carry diseases and bacteria, which can then be passed to your Chameleon. Due to this risk, always having a clean cage will ensure a potentially longer life for your chameleon and limit the room for error.

Housing: 

Choosing adequate housing for your Chameleon will depend on the Species, Sex, Age, and Size. We use, and recommend, mesh screen cages that are lightweight and allow for smooth airflow and no obstruction of light. While we do offer some used cages for sale, we recommend purchasing cages through Amazon or local suppliers.

Our favorite cages are mesh cages in various sizes, which include an easily removable bottom to facilitate easier cleaning. Your cage should be fit to the size of your Chameleon and each Chameleon requires a specific set up to support their needs. Sizes are listed below.

Males:

Up to 5 Months of Age: small mesh cage - like Reptibreeze 16″ x 16″ x 20″

Between 5 to 8 Months of Age: medium mesh cage - like Medium Reptibreeze 16″ x 16″ x 30″

Between 8 to 12 months of Age: large mesh cage - like Large Reptibreeze 18″ x 18″ x 36″

Over 1 year of Age: extra large mesh cage - like Extra Large Reptibreeze 24″ x 24″ x 48″

Females:

Up to 5 months of Age: small mesh cage - like Reptibreeze 16″ x 16″ x 20″

Between 5 to 12 months of Age: medium mesh cage - like Medium Reptibreeze 16″ x 16″ x 30″

Over 1 Year of Agek: large mesh cage - like Large Reptibreeze 18″ x 18″ x 36″ – This size is not necessary for females  however, it would make for a very happy Chameleon. Several females usually can be housed together, if the cage size provides enough space

Note: Remember, when selecting a cage, make sure the metal is coated to avoid possible rusting.

Plants and Décor:

When choosing a plant for your cage, it is important to note that most plants sold at retail stores are full of pesticides. This can create a potentially dangerous environment for your chameleon as they tend to drink off the leaves and could possibly bite into the plants. If you wish to keep live plants in your cage it may be better - we have noticed that the Chameleons tend to be happier in the long run. With live plants however, there is a higher chance of bacteria build up in the dirt and on the leaves, so it is important to keep the cage clean. An easy solution to this is to have a full bioactive set up. If you wish to use live plants, make sure to research which plants are safe for chameleons. Plants that we prefer include Indoor Ficus, Umbrella Plant, Money Tree, Pathos, and any other non-acidic, chameleon safe plants.

Another alternative to live plants is to use fake plants found at any local pet store or even at art supplies stores such as Michaels. Make sure to avoid toxic paints or plastics that could easily break in case the Chameleon tries to ingest it. Overall, fake plants are easier to maintain and easier to clean as they are less likely to have bacteria build up.

Vines and sticks are essential for the Chameleon to climb in the cage. Building intricate ladders for them to climb on has proven helpful for their comfort and health as they are constantly getting exercise. We recommend using Bamboo sticks due to their affordability and cleanliness. As an extra step, to avoid insects, mold and bacteria is to bake any sticks that you bring into the cage with your chameleon in a regular oven .

Lighting:

Few living creatures can thrive without sunlight, so it is essential to provide the proper heating and radiation for your Chameleons health. A heat bulb is essential for basking and the digestion, while a UVB bulb is essential for digestion as well as proper bone and body growth. We suggest using the Zoo Med 60 watt Heat Bulb Infused with UVA for heating and the Zoo Med Reptisun 10.00 UVB. Both can be found on Amazon and in Local Pet Stores.

Notes:

  • It is important to make sure to provide shade for 75% of their cage to avoid burning or overheating throughout the day.

  • Lights don’t last forever. The film around your UVB bulb providing the radiation lessens over time. We suggest that you replace the UVB bulb every 6 months (or as instructed on the box) to ensure the proper amount of radiation.

Although you have lights providing radiation and heat, it is important that your Chameleon gets a few hours of natural sunlight every week. Depending on time of year and location, this ensures the best possible health for your Chameleon. We will not take our Chameleons out if it is over 90 F or below 70 F. On days when you go outside, make sure to water twice the usual amount to prevent dehydration. There is no such thing as over watering!

Maintenance

On top of the regular maintenance of your Chameleon and its habitat, we highly suggest a weekly hose down of the cage and its decor. This will make sure to prevent the spread of bacteria. We recommend diluted vinegar or a mild dish soap to clean with (make sure you take the Chameleon out first!). Do NOT use any chemicals to clean cage as Chameleons are very sensitive.

Feeding:

As with most living things, a variety in diet is essential for your chameleon’s long-term health. We recommend a diet consisting of Crickets, Super Worms, Dubia Roaches*, and Horned Worms. For treats we like to use Goliath Worms and Silk Worms every so often due to their fat content. Try to avoid feeding bugs or insects larger than the chameleons head to prevent digestive issues. Refer to the chart below for a feeding guide depending on your Chameleon’s size.

*Dubia Roaches are a great source of protein however, we have found it challenging to entice a Chameleon to eat the Roaches due to the way they move without triggering the Chameleon’s hunting reflex.

**Feeding Chart For Panther Chameleons:

3-5 Months: Average 5 Crickets a day with a feeding* of Super Worms two times a week.

5-7 Months: Average 15 Crickets every other day with a feeding* of Super Worms with super worms two times a week. Start introducing Dubia Roaches every few days.

7-12 Months: Average 20 crickets every other day with a feeding* of Super Worms and Dubia Roaches twice a week.

Over 12 Months: Metabolism begins to slow down around this age, however, the Chameleon will tend to eat larger insects. Appetite depends on the Chameleon, keep an eye on how many insects are left in cage while trying to not leave any overnight to prevent bacterial contamination. Adjust accordingly.

*Feeding: Feed insect to Chameleon until the Chameleon is full.

We recommend finding a local supplier for all your insects as these tend to be the most affordable and the most convenient.

Note: It is important to feed your insects non-acidic, highly nutritious fruits and vegetables to ensure your Chameleon receives adequate nutrients during its development.

**Please ask a Chameleon Brothers Team Member for feeding specifics for other species.

Supplementation:

Supplementation is another very essential aspect to Chameleon caretaking. Research has shown Chameleons are either over supplemented or under supplemented, which can lead to issues relating to bone growth, joint growth, metabolic bone disease, or other very serious issues.  We urge that you dust (powder your feeders with supplements) every feeding with these supplements:

  • Repashy Calcium Plus - (Has a Jacksons Chameleon on the label) - Twice a month (Serves as Multivitamin)

  • Calcium Carbonate without D3 – 4 times a month

  • Organic Bee Pollen - 4 Times a month

Watering:

We suggest watering your Chameleon and its whole cage 2 to 3 times a day. Watering consists of a full spray down of the cage from top to bottom, making sure to saturate any leaves with water for your Chameleon to drink off. We prefer filtered water as tap water tends to contain excess chemicals and minerals that may be harmful to your Chameleon’s health. We also recommend bringing your Chameleon into the shower twice a month around their shedding cycle to not only help with their shed, but to also keep their skin hydrated and eyes lubricated. You can do this by putting your Chameleon on some sticks or on a plant in the bathroom.

It is highly recommended, but not necessary, to invest in an automatic misting system. This will ultimately limit your responsibility of watering them throughout the day while providing regular watering. It is a great investment if you have an all-day office job or if you will be out of town for a few days. Just set the timer to mist two to three times throughout the day to make sure you Chameleon gets proper hydration.

If you will be out of town for a few days and do not have anyone who can feed and watch over your Chameleon, we offer Chameleon Boarding.

Disease and Sickness

Chameleons are very delicate creatures. If you notice any suspicious and unusual behaviors with your Chameleon, it is crucial to reach out to either us or a local vet with experience in exotic pets and more specifically with experience with Chameleons.

Chameleon Boarding:

Chameleons need more daily care and love then most pets which make it very hard for families to go out of town.  That’s why we offer our chameleon boarding services.  For $50 a week, we will provide your chameleon with a home, care, food and water so you won’t have to worry one bit about the well-being of your pet while you are out of town.

If you have any further questions please feel free to contact us via phone, email, Facebook, or Instagram!