Chameleons Chameleons are one of the more difficult reptiles to raise in captivity. There are 4 different species that people usually raise. This report will go over basic requirements and then some details specific to each species. Water: Use bottled or distilled water only, no tap water. Chameleons drink rainwater and usually will not drink out of a bowl.  Dripping water from the top of the cage into a catch bowl is the best way to water your lizard. You can use a bowl with a pinpoint hole in the bottom or ice cubes set on top of a screen at the top of the enclosure. You can also mist the enclosure and foliage several times daily. It is important to allow the cage to dry completely in between mistings. Temperature: Veiled: Day  95-110   Night 70-75 (lights off) Jackson:  Day 77    Night 62  Basking area 85 Panther:  Day 90  Night 65  Basking area should be provided Parson’s:  Day  <85  Night 65 Enclosure:  Chameleons need a large environment. Most chameleons should be housed individually and out of view of other chameleons. One lizard 2-7 inches long should have a 10-gallon minimum floor space. The enclosures also need to be well ventilated- preferably with mesh sides and top and solid bottom. The mesh should be plastic coated or smooth in texture to prevent snout rubbing and foot problems.  All chameleons need places to perch- these should vary in length, diameter and amount of foliage. Special Considerations: Parson’s: minimum enclosure 3 ft wide x 3 ft long x 4 ft high, lots of foliage Jackson’s: bottom of cage should have newspaper of several inches of topsoil, most of inside of enclosure should be foliage Veiled: No substrate on bottom of cage, very territorial, baskers Food/Nutrition:  All chameleons are insectivores. The Veiled chameleons also eat vegetables such as cooked carrots, sweet potatoes, and collard greens. The Parson’s species prefer larger insects to eat. Variety is the key for the insects: locusts, crickets, hoppers, flies, mealworms, snails, waxworms, earthworms, bees with stingers removed. The insects should be dusted once weekly with a multivitamin and mineral powder and vitamin D3 source once weekly. Insects should also be gut loaded 24 hours before feeding them to your chameleon.   Lighting:  All chameleons need either natural sunlight or a UVB radiation source of light. Artificial bulbs that provide this radiation should be replaced every 6 months- Zoomed, Reptasun UVB310 or ESU Daylight Bulb can be used to provide this lighting. They need to be on for 12- 14 hours per day and placed within 12 inches of the animal. Traditional blacklights or Vitalights do not provide adequate uvb radiation. In addition to the UVB light, another light should be placed over a different portion of the top of the cage, this should be a 40-60 watt incandescent bulb, spotlight, or plant bulb for basking use. It should be placed within an aluminum reflector hood. Special Considerations: Parson’s Chameleons prefer filtered light and cooler temperatures. Fluorescent lighting should be the main light source with incandescent lights providing warming spots. There should be plenty of foliage to allow for shaded areas.