Raising wild animals of your own is no easy task. Wild animals, such as chameleons, require special attention and care. Some might even debate between the ethics of domesticating one in the first place, but most reptile enthusiasts would quickly oppose to these arguments.
Chameleons are exotic reptiles with their own endearing personalities. One special trait they have is the natural ability to camouflage. They have cells called Kromatofora in their bodies that grants this unique skill. They do this to hide away from predators or if they’re experiencing a sudden intense mood change. The colour changes often last for around 20 seconds only.
More often than not, local reptile enthusiasts would adopt imported chameleons to keep as pets. These colour changing animals are priced differently from different markets. Some may even range to millions!
With such a big investment, you wouldn’t want to raise an unhealthy chameleon in your household. In order to keep their health and wellbeing on point, good human companions would do their research first. If you’re considering on adopting one of your own, be sure to read through this article to find out how to raise a healthy and happy chameleon!
1. Choose Your Type
The first thing you should consider is finding out the right breed of chameleon is best suited for you. There are multiple breed that have multiple personalities and characters – you’d just have to find the one best suited for your needs.
2. Keeping the Right Living Space
Chameleons grow, at a physical sense, in a comparatively fast speed. Considering this, it is advised that human companions provide a big space for their chameleons to grow and move around. Additionally, it’ll help to add in greenery and branches to mimic their natural habitat.
Chameleons, like any other animal, requires sunlight for their daily nutrients. For a healthy environment, place your chameleon in sunlight exposed location. Alternatively, you could install a UVB lightbulb instead.
These colour changing animals strive in locations with a 65-80% humidity level. Additionally, it is ideal that the temperature of the living space reaches about 34 – 300 on day light and 20-250 Celcius on night time.
3. The Right Diet and Nutrition
Chameleons generally feed off insects – particularly grasshoppers. Grasshoppers are an excellent source of their daily nutrients, including calcium. Otherwise, chameleons can be fed flies, crickets, moths, other insects, or commercialised diet pellets.
As for drinks, chameleons’ would feed off water – particularly those that drip down leaves after a rainy weather. To mimic this natural habit, you could add in greeneries of your own. Otherwise, you could help train your chameleon to drink from installed water bottles.
4. Sanitation and Hygiene
Be sure to keep your chameleon friend’s hygiene in top shape. To maintain this healthy lifestyle, regularly clean their habitat by washing the premises with clean water and other sanitary products. Relocate your chameleon friend first though, as to not disturb them. Keep this habit for every now and then, and you’d get a happy and comfortable chameleon!
5. Socialising Your Chameleon
Chameleon are social animals that needs to be stimulated every now and then. Poor social interactions with this animal could lead to aggression and anger. When socialising your chameleon, be sure to keep an eye out on social cues and safety hazards. One way to make sure your chameleon is getting this need sufficiently is to take them sun bathing outside.
6. Caring for Expecting Chameleons
If you own a female chameleon, be sure to keep a careful eye if they are expecting. This is because pregnant chameleons would need special care and attention. Female chameleons are able to procreate by the age of 4-6 months for 3 times a year. When a female chameleon is expecting, be sure to provide a safe space for them to lay their eggs.
So, this marks the end of several tips on how to raise a healthy and happy chameleon! Be sure to do more prior research and consult professionals in this field, because your responsibilities lies beyond feeding and living space maintenance. Good luck!