Are Chameleons Safe to be adapted as pets?

Question

hello all, I dont know a lot about reptiles, but I was wondering if its ok to get a Chameleon as a pet!! First of all, Are they safe or poisonous? IF they are safe, do they transfer some kind of a disease or anything to human beings?

Answer 1

Female Chameleons as Pets
One aspect of chameleon care that is often overlooked with tragic results are the special needs of female chameleons. Many female chameleons live short lives because of improper care - hence the common belief that female chameleons make terrible pets and don't live long.

If you are considering purchasing a chameleon, and are trying to decide whether you want a female or male, don't be intimidated by the title of this article. Female chameleons can make good pets, and after reading this article, you'll see that the special care they require is more common sense than it is difficult or time consuming. They do have shorter lifespans than males, but they also are less aggressive and more relaxed on the whole.



Breeding and... The Myth!
As mentioned in the section on general care, reptiles must not be bred too young. They must be well past sexual maturity, which occurs before the animals are fully grown. Many chameleons can produce valid eggs when they are under 6 months of age, which is far too young an age to allow breeding. Chameleons should be at least a year old before breeding, and in the pinnacle of health. This means they shouldn't be underweight or overweight, and should have a long history of proper care, nutrition, and overall health. If you just bought a chameleon and aren't overly sure of her history, do not breed her right away. That is one of the most common mistakes keepers make.

"Female chameleons will become egg-bound and die if you do not breed them."

This common myth is not only untrue, it is extremely detrimental for captive female chameleons. The truth is that you can purchase a female chameleon to be your only pet, and she can live a long and healthy life without the "help" of a male! Veiled chameleons especially have suffered in captivity because of breeding myths such as these, which only serve to encourage an already strong appetite among inexperienced keepers to breed them without considering the long term planning needed to ensure health and longevity for the animals. A true love for chameleons should produce caution and planning, not impulse with no regard for the animals whose lives are not only under your care, but also directly and seriously affected by your decisions.

Proper Nutrition and Care
The most critical difference of keeping male chameleons and keeping female chameleons is, put quite simply, eggs. Female chameleons that live by themselves often produce infertile eggs, and their bodies must always be in top form to handle the work that it takes to produce and lay eggs. Proper nutrition is essential for all chameleons, but it plays an even more critical role for females. Females that are not given proper amounts of calcium over time (through diet, and if needed, supplements), exposure to UVB lighting, that are under or overweight, or that are stressed will not have the strength or immune system health to handle the stress of egg laying, and can quickly become ill. Female chameleons that are not cared for properly can die of MBD because they don't have enough calcium stored, or become unable to lay their eggs, cauing egg binding. Don't go overboard on calcium supplements - too much will only harm vital organs - just make sure your females are receiving a well rounded diet. See feeding schedules for more details. Also keep in mind that female chameleons are generally much smaller than males, and sometimes may have slightly different feeding requirements. For example, when feeding superworms and mealworms to females, try to feed molted worms, which are easier for them to digest.

Egg Laying
Female chameleons often will produce eggs regardless of whether or not they are bred, and therefore must always have access to a place to lay them. If a chameleon cannot find a place to lay her eggs, she can become egg-bound.

Enclosures for females should be equipped with either a laying box or plant pots that can easily offer a place to dig. Chameleons need a sizable space of earth in which to dig, with a depth of at least a foot. Chameleons tend to lay eggs at night. They will usually dig to the very bottom of the container to lay their eggs, carefully planning their project and covering it by morning. Occasionally I have repotted plants to find eggs at the very bottom, with absolutely no trace that there was ever a hole dug in the pot! Some chameleons are very secretive and skilled at covering their tracks, while others will kick up dirt all over the cage, leaving little question of the nights activities. Signs that a chameleon is ready to lay eggs include pacing around the cage and exploring the ground searching for a good place to lay, increased basking behavior, and a full belly.

It should be noted that sometimes chameleons will have problems with egg-binding regardless of how well they are cared for, and those animals should be immediately taken to a vet at first signs of problems, such as a very swollen belly and prolonged pacing around the bottom of the cage, or failed attempts at making a nest and being unable to lay eggs.

A Place to Lay Eggs: Fertile OR Infertile
To make a laying box, purchase a large plastic storage container, large plastic plant pot (the kind with no holes), or a brand-new plastic garbage bin. There should be sufficient space for roaming. Chameleons like to feel like they can choose "the perfect place". Also purchase a bag of clean fertilizer and chemical-free soil. Wash out the container well, and fill it with soil. Pour in some water, stir, and repeat until the soil is damp, but not too wet - you don't want any excess water at the bottom. Some chameleons will not lay eggs in dry soil. Different people use different types of egg laying medium, plain potting soil is just one option. Other types of medium include coconut fiber, peat moss, and sand. Most chameleons like to lay their eggs near or under the root ball of a tree or plant, so having a plant in the middle of the soil is a good idea, as long as there is plenty of extra room for digging. You may also place a thick branch in the laying box for easy access. Some chameleons are very picky about where they lay their eggs, some are not. If a chameleon is in the process of egg laying or digging, it is best not to disturb them at all costs. They may choose to relocate and start over, or become too tired to complete the task, becoming egg bound.

If you have bred your chameleon and she is ready to lay eggs, she should be provided with a special large laying box in addition to current plant pots. It is best to offer this laying area inside her enclosure rather than move her to it, because she will feel at home and relaxed in her enclosure.

For regular use (not breeding) you can either provide your female chameleons with regular laying boxes, or large plant pots. Female chameleons should be kept in large enclosures with potted trees, which can double as regular-use (not breeding) laying boxes. If you choose to provide a regular laying box, make sure to keep the surface of the soil very clean. Never let droppings, dead insects, shed, or other debris get mixed into the soil mixture because it will promote bacterial growth. You can replace the soil often and/or skim the surface on a regular basis.

Answer 2

Namaqua Chameleon

Answer 3

Get Chameleon Care Guide Now!

Answer 4

Chameleons

Answer 5

Try a bearded dragon or leopard gecko. I don't think a chameleon would be a very good lizard for a beginner. Go to this forum: www.bearded-dragons.com for more info on bearded dragons. They'll tell you the BEST and most updated information on how to care for bearded dragons.

I own two, and I think they are the most wonderfull lizards in the world. They have one heck of a personality! A LOT more exciting and friendly than a chameleon. They're very docil and great around kids. Believe me, they are the closest thing to a dog than any other lizard. They aren't poisionous and do not transfer any kind of disease. Go through googles images http://images.google.com/images?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GWYA,GWYA:2005-45,GWYA:en&q=bearded%20dragon&sa=N&tab=wi to see what they look life. They are many different colors and morphs.
I would go to the website I mentioned and ask us any questions you may have if you are interested in buying a bearded dragon. Like I said, a lot of the info on the internet is a little outdated, some of it even wrong. Good luck!

Answer 6

Most chameleons are not for the first time Herper they require allot of special care IE. food , light , caging . if your thinking about getting a reptile for the first time you should look at a bearded dragon, corn snake , any of your smaller monitor spices exc. (No Iguanas) the reason for this is the reptiles that I have listed are easier to care for and in some cases do not require UVA / UVB lighting like most of your insect or plant eating reptiles now this being said bearded dragons do require this lighting but you can handle them much more than a chameleon and they are much less likely to bight you. i suggest that you do some research on the reptile that you finely chose and do all that you can to make there caging as much like there native environment as possible before you buy anything and no there not poisonous but you should always wash your hands after handling your reptile or anything in there cage this keeps you from getting salmonella and from spreading any reptile germs from one to another

Answer 7

Honey, only mammals can transfer diseases to mammals except if your lizard has mites(parasites) Real chameleons are very fragile and die very easily under stress, so I DO NOT recommend a first time lizard such as a chameleon/ an ANOLE however- they change color AND can walk on glass!! They are very hardy and breed easy in aquariums-try those!!

Answer 8

Chameleons are sensitive animals and need a lot of care to keep them healthy. They are not poisonous, and we share no diseases with them. None of the reptiles that are sold as pets are poisonous in any way. The only poisonous lizards in the world are the gila monster and the beaded lizard. You have to have a permit to own poisonous reptiles.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

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Answer 11

I think cameleons are cool... especially when they eat! But I've seen a lot of snarly cameleons. I agree with others... beardies are much hardier, easier to care for and will tolerate handling a lot better.