Chameleon Habitat
How To Create A Chameleon Habitat
In addition to understanding the basics about chameleons, you should know how to provide your pet the chameleon habitat favored by reptile experts.
First of all, what is a chameleon? An anole from America can change from brown to green, and is called a chameleon but it actually is not one. The true chameleons are from Madagascar and parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe.
In America there are few true chameleons, with the exception of those in Hawaii. Some people try to bring chameleons from Hawaii to the mainland. But the law in Hawaii requires you to get a permit to do this legally.
Although common thinking is that chameleons should be in glass enclosures because of the humidity they create, that is not accurate. Glass enclosures trap moisture, which is a precursor to illness causing bacteria.
If you plan to make you own housing, you can use wood or plastic PVC, wire and other materials; the preferred housing by chameleon aficionados is aluminum frame with wire screen siding.
The size of the enclosure should correspond with the size of your chameleon, with small ones needing a small space that will provide them easy access to their food source.
Be prepared to give them more space as they grow.
A chameleon of about three months should have a cage of about 24 by 12 inches, and about 24 inches high.
An adult chameleon needs a cage of at least 24 by 24 inches, and 48 inches high.
Chameleons like vegetation in their living space, and experts suggest natural materials instead of plastic or other artificial materials. Real vegetation helps create a humid environment which is needed for good respiration and optimal air temperature. Be careful to select non-toxic plants. Leaves of oleander, for instance, are poisonous, as are most bulb family plants.
Some good plants to use for foliage in the chameleon habitat are fichus, hibiscus, small umbrella tree.
The floor of the cage should not be lined with wood chips or other material, contrary to common practice. If any lining is needed, the only advisable is paper towels. The cage bottom should be removable for cleaning. A good type of floor is a PVC board.
To get the UVB rays that chameleons need, choose a light that is proven to provide UVB light. Some products are misrepresented as UVB conveyers. A good one is the reptisun 5, in addition to other commercial brands. The bulb needs to be replaced several times a year to continually provide the needed degree of radiance. The light should be in a position that allows your chameleon to be 12 inches from the light’s outer surface.
You also need an incandescent light bulb to provide a basking area in the cage. The purpose is to create a temperature between 95 to 98 degrees. Check different wattages to achieve the correct temperature. If it is too hot the reptile can get light burn.
Following this advice, you will create a chameleon habitat in line with those used by professional reptile suppliers.