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Veiled Chameleon

-Range-

This chameleon comes from theMiddle-East Inland river valleys of Yemen and Southern Saudia Arabia.

-Description-

Males:

*Much larger than female, but not always.

*Total body legth 12-19 inches in captivity within 12 months.

*Highly variable in color, even within one clutch of eggs.

*Bold vertical body bands:bright gold, green and blue mixed with yellow, orange, and black.

*Thinly built bodies are a normal appearance.

Females:

*Total body lenght 10-14 inches in captivity.

*light green, small white to gold spots and light blue on dorsal crest as adults.

*heavy body when mature

* both sexes are shy and tenacious

-Growth and Reproduction-

Veileds advance 8-13" in five months during sexual maturity. Chamleons shed over several days, giving them a dry look. This is normal. Males of the species are often much larger than the females. Females can lay eggs 3-4 times a year, witch is 30-100 egg clutches. A receptive female won't gape her mouth when approached by a courting male. Females turn from light green to black/green with blue and yellow body spots within 18 hours after a successful mating process. Egg laying occurs about 20-230 days after this mating process. Use a 5-gallon bucket kept at 82*-86*F, 15-20 inches of softed packed, moist potting sole with no fertilizer or nutrients supplements that may be of harm to your chameleon. A few test holes may take place before a tunnel is dug. Eggs will hatch 150-190 to hatch at a fluctuation of 80*-84*F days down to 70*-75*F nights.

-Aggressiveness-

When you purchase a new Veiled Chameleon you should work with it every day. After your Veiled grows to be 4 inches long, you should handle it alot until it is nice to people when being held. If holding is neglected, your chameleon will become very aggressive as it grows.

-Caging-

Young 4 weeks-8":

Have 10 gallon tank set up with live or fake silky plants for the chameleon to perch among. Mist a lot on sides of tank and plants 3-4 times a day, because chameleons need to be well hidrated. If this cannot be done, or your chameleon is not reacting to this method of spraying, you should purchase a small water fountain, drip system, or misting system. Also, you can take a plastic container and poke small holes in the bottom for the water to drip out of, fill this with water and set on tank screen. If a misting, or drip system is used you should mist for 1 minute every two hours.

Adults:

Mature adults can be should be housed in big cages that are 3'x 2'x 5'. With large leafy tree-like plants and perching sticks as they should always have. They should also be misted as they are through there whole life.

-Food & Water-

Young:

Babies will eat crickets that are small in size. They should be fed 2-3 times a day. Other food items will often be regurgitated until young are about 8" long. You should also use a vitamin/mineral supplement that is rich in vitamin A and D3. Live plants should also be provided as food.

Adults:

Adults will enthusiastically devour leaves of ficus and pothos plants. They will also eat a wide varity of insects. Watering is still the same as always.

-Temperature & Lighting-

Veiled will withstand both low and high temperatures ranging anywhere from 45*F to 100*F, but also with high humidity. UVB lights help many chameleons with staying healthy, but it is optional.

-Health problems-

One common disease that is found in cameleons with low levels of vitamin D3 and calcium, is metabolic bone disease. This can be fixed by letting the chameelon bask in direct sunlight. UVB lights will help to a certain extent. Another thing that can happen to your chameleon is an upper respiratory infection. This infection can not be treated in the early stages because it gets by with out a trace. Some sign to look for are:

*open mouth or gaping for a long periods of time

*while drinking they tend to drool

*eyes are sunkin'

*eyes akso may be shut for the whole day

*weasing or popping also may occur when your chameleon is breathing

*restless behavior is also a sign

* stringy mucous will hang down when mouth is open

If any of these signs are shown in your chameleons behavior you should immediately apply antibiotics. This disease occurs when the chameleon is stressed out. This can also be prevented by proper feeding housing and general care.

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