Chameleons are amazing creatures. They are not for the beginner and their requirements are quite specific, and they are easily stressed. They do not like to be handled so pass this reptile by if you want to be able to handle your reptile. There are several species kept as pets, the most common being the Veiled, Jackson's, and Panther Chameleons.
Chameleons as Pets (Chameleons for Sale, Buy a Chameleon)
Veiled chameleons are large (up to 2 feet long) and need a suitably large enclosure, but are fairly hardy. Jackson's chameleons are smaller (need less space), and the males look like little triceratops with three horns on the head, but they are not as hardy. Panther chameleons are also quite large (males are much larger than females), and exhibit some striking colors.
Feeding (Food)
Chameleons are insectivores so should be fed a variety of insects. Crickets are usually the mainstay of the diet, but mealworms, superworms and waxworms (all in limited quantities), roaches, silkworms, flies, fruit flies (young chameleons), and grasshoppers can also be fed.
Jackson's Chameleons as Pets
Scientific Name: Chamaeleo jacksonii. There are three recognized subspecies (C. j. jacksonii, C. j. merumontanus, C. j. xantholophus)
Jackson's Chameleons can live for 5-10 years in captivity and range in size from about 9-13 inchces including the tail. Males tend to be larger than females of the same sub species. Young chameleons are brownish in color, developing brighter green coloration at about 4-5 months of age. Males tend to be more brightly colored, with blue or yellow markings. Stressed or cold chameleons are typically a dark brown color. Males of all the subspecies have 3 horns that make them look like mini-triceratops (2 subocular horns below the eyes and one rostral horn on the snout). Females of some sub-species do have horns, but sometimes less developed than those of the males. Jackson's chameleons are territorial and should be housed individually. Handling is stressful to them, so as with other chameleons, they are pets that are better suited be being watched rather than handled a lot.
Veiled Chameleons as Pets
Scientific Name: Chamaeleo calyptratus. Also known as the Yemen chameleon.
Veiled Chameleons can live approximately 5 years in captivity and veiled chameleon males can reach 18-24 inches in total length (about 12 inches snout to vent length), while females tend to be quite a bit smaller at 10-13 inches (just 4-6 inches in snout to vent length). The veiled chameleon has a large, tall casque, or helmet-like structure on the top of their head. It is present in both males and females, though it is larger in males. Their bodies are banded in shades of green, yellow and brown. Veiled chameleons are territorial and aggressive to other chameleons, and should be housed individually. While they are usually quite docile towards people, handling tends to be stressful. As with other chameleons, they are pets that are better suited be being watched rather than handled a lot.
