Getting A Chameleon For Christmas? How To Set Up Its New Home And Care For It
Chameleons are interesting lizards, and many people like them because they are calm and they can change colors to match their surroundings. You should understand, however, that chameleons are not easy to care for because they have to have the right balance of heat, places they can hide, and the right type of food. Because of this, you need to make sure you set up their home properly and provide them with the right type of care. Below is some information about this so you can have a healthy chameleon.
Setting up An Aquarium
An aquarium makes a great home for a chameleon. They like large aquariums that have good air circulation with a screened top. You also need to put large plants that they can climb in the aquarium. Some chameleons have to have high humidity, while others do not. Ask the salesperson at the pet store if the species you are purchasing requires humidity. There must also be a dripping water system for them to drink.
They need to have access to light approximately 12 hours per day. They need one light to use as a heat source. You can use a heat bulb to provide this. The chameleon also needs access to natural sunlight. If they cannot get this, you can use a full-spectrum fluorescent tube, which is placed on top of the enclosure.
Plants you could use in the aquarium are bamboo palms, umbrella tree, philodendrons, and fig. Include all these plants because some let them climb, while others provide them a place to hide.
Talk with the salesperson where the chameleon was purchased; they can tell you exactly how you need to set up your aquarium.
Feeding Your Chameleon
Chameleons like a variety of insects to eat, such as silkworms, meal worms, cockroaches, and crickets to feed on. You can also collect things like butterflies, moths, caterpillars, and grasshoppers to feed to them. Place these insects in plants that are near the chameleon so they can capture them like they would in their natural habitat. You can also purchase cup feed that you place low in a tree close to the bottom of the floor. If there are insects that they do not eat, remove them instead of leaving them inside the aquarium.
You can enjoy your chameleon for years to come if you learn how to set up its home correctly and take care of it.
