Senegal Chameleon
Caring For A Senegal Chameleon
One of the best reptiles someone could own is a Senegal chameleon. Most people who get chameleons and other reptiles are looking for an easy and exotic pet to care for. Other lizards are expensive and you can expect a short life expectation.
The Senegal chameleon is perfect for anyone looking to get that exotic pet but can not afford to shovel out hundreds of dollars for an over priced rare lizard. It is a good compromise because Senegal chameleons are cheap, fairly common, and easy to care for.
There are many neat features that this type of chameleon has. First, they are capable of changing their colors. If you have a small tree in the tank or a rock, you can see the lizard shift its color to camouflage in with the background. They also come in a variety of colors such as green, brown and a light tan. Their coloration is a direct reflection of the tropical settings that they come from. Unlike iguanas, their growth is limited to only six to seven inches in length. They are most recognizable by their bulging eyes, arched spine and their slow movement. They also like to stay in trees and weeds.
Senegal chameleons are great pets because they are easy to care for. A dog or a cat requires hours of playing, feeding and walking. Like any other reptile, most of your time with your Senegal chameleon is dedicated to feeding, cleaning the tank and changing the heating lamp. They are perfect pets for young children; people who love to travel and anyone who is busy. These pets also require little equipment and take up very little space.
The Senegal Chameleons eat very little and require few tank cleanings. Because of their size, there is no need for a large tank. Your lizard would be happy with a small to medium size tank. I recommend purchasing a lot of props such as trees, rocks, dwelling areas and any other features that would give the chameleon a more natural feel.
Another important thing to consider is the heating and lighting. Because the Senegal Chameleon hails from a tropical climate, you must be ready to keep your lizard warm all the time. That is another reason why you want a smaller tank. It makes heating easier. The tank temperature should never drop below seventy-seven degrees or go above a hundred degrees. You also have to provide the lizard with at least a dozen hours of natural sunlight. To do this, you should buy a UVB light bulb.
You will also need to buy food and a feeding dish. This is cheap and easy to find at any pet store. Depending on the age and size, feeding should occur a couple of times a day with a couple days of no food during the week. For water, spray some water on the props. Chameleons prefer to drink off leaves and rocks.
That is all you need to care for a Senegal chameleon. Remember, they are fairly dormant animals that do not move much. They should not be surprised. One tip to help achieve this is to keep them in a private room. Once your chameleon is used to you and the environment, you can begin to take it out and let it sit on your shoulder. Remember, they love heat so do not keep them out for too long.