i need to know how to take care of a chamelion!?

Question

i got a chamelion and i need to know what watt bulb they need, if they need special bedding and if its normal for them to give of little shock waves when u hold them. he is only 3 in. long to he's tiny. plz tell me what u know about them!

Answer 1

I know that they are high maintenance lizards that should only be purchased AFTER doing a lot of research.

Answer 2

The time to find out what you need is before you bring him/her home. Yes, they are high maintenence! It is also expensive to provide the proper care for them. You don't say what kind of chameleon you have, and we can give you general info, but nothing specific about the care for your species.

For now, you will have to get:
1) some kind of enclosure in which you keep it
2) a good (7-10%) UVB light
3) a good heat source (heat lamp or ceramic heat emitter, NOT
a heat rock!)
4) calcium and vitamin supplements
5) different sized branches for it to climb
6) greenery/vines for it to hide in
7) a way to keep it humid (spray bottle works well)
8) info on the care for chameleons (in general) and your species
9) food - they should have a variety of insects of an appropriate
size (small crickets to start, but provide a better variety later)
and some may eat vegetation (romaine lettuce, collard
greens)

Plan on spending at least 4-5 times what you paid for the chameleon.

In the near future, you will have to get:
1) a bigger enclosure (what will be the adult size for your
chameleon's species & gender) with more tank decorations
to fill the space
2) more lights - UVB needs replaced every 6-9 months
(depending on quality & use) EVEN IT THEY ARE NOT
BURNED OUT YET, they no longer give of the UVB the
animal needs
3) if it's a female, an egg-laying box (whether it ever meets a
male or not, it WILL lay eggs or die trying to find suitable site)

Also know that:
1) the best bedding is none at all or paper towels
2) they don't drink water out of a dish - you have to provide a
source of running or dripping water for them
3) they get very stressed out when they are handled - this isn't a
pet you play with! It one you mostly just look at.
4) they require a lot of cage-cleaning!

I usually give links to websites for care, but I think in this case it would be best for you (and the chameleon) if you return it for something that requires less time and money committment.

Answer 3

Chameleons should NOT be held!! They are very susceptible to oils and stuff we may have on our skin. If you must hold them, use gloves, or thoroughly wash your hands well and only hold it for a very short period of time. They need a 100 watt bulb, they need uva/uvb. DON'T put it to where they can climb on it and get burned.They need a vit/mineral supplement too. They are VERY prone to calcium and Vit. D deficiency. They need high humidity and lots of climbing room. They are not recommended for a beginner.

Answer 4

Give him back.

Chameleons are very advanced ownership reptiles. You should have had a cage set up before you brought him home- if you don't have heat on him, he's going to die. Why on earth did you buy something you don't know how to take care of?

Here's a caresheet, but it's probably going to die anyway. You should take it back to wherever you got it.

http://oror.essortment.com/chameleonscare_radb.htm

Answer 5

u should like pick the chamelion up really roughly and like shove food in its face and dont give it to many branches and stuff to climb on and o ya they eat baby chamelions and they dont need any lights

Answer 6

I agree with Alyssa, give it back. They are very difficult to care for they need running water, humidity, a UV LIGHT, heat source (not a heat rock), and they need fairly large cages with plants and plenty of air flow. If your not going to get rid of it, which you should please research it on these sites and google it. Good luck take good care of it and next time research before you buy!

Answer 7

go to PetCo.com and look at their Pet Care Info. then click on Animal care sheets. Pick out what kind of chameleon you have. It should tell you everything you need to know.