Care sheet

Veiled Chameleon

Chamaeleo calyptratus

Also known as: Yemen Chameleon

Chamaeleonidae · Squamata

IntermediateCITES IIIUCN LC

Activity: ☀️ Diurnal
Temperament: Hands-off
Adult length: 10–24 in
Lifespan (captivity): 5–8 yrs
Native range: Arabian Peninsula — Yemen and southwestern Saudi Arabia

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Care guide

Overview

Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) — a hardy arboreal chameleon, the most beginner-friendly of the group, but strictly a look-don't-hold animal. House singly, provide vertical space, UVB, and droplet hydration. Even unmated females lay eggs, so always offer a lay bin.

Environment

Climate

Cool side

72–80 °F

Warm side

80–85 °F

Basking spot

85–95 °F

Nighttime

60–70 °F

Humidity (ambient)

40–60%

Environment

UVB lighting

Required?

Yes — provide UVB

Fixture type

T5 HO

Replacement interval

Every 12 months

Housing

Enclosure

Orientation

Arboreal

Bioactive setup

Suitable

Minimum size by life stage

HatchlingNot specified
JuvenileNot specified
Adult2x2x4 ft screen/hybrid cage; dense foliage and climbing branches

Housing

Substrate

Safe options

bioactive soil (planted)bare-bottom (drainage)

Avoid

loose particulate under feeding zonecedarpine

Nutrition

Diet & feeding

Dietary type

Insectivore

Feeding frequency by life stage

JuvenileDaily
AdultEvery other day (females: watch for follicles/egg-binding)

Supplementation

Calcium (no D3) most feedings, calcium+D3 and multivitamin lightly per schedule; gut-load feeders.

Care

Water & behavior

Water

No standing bowl — hydrate via long misting sessions and/or a dripper; chameleons drink droplets.

Legal & ecology

Conservation

CITES

Appendix II

IUCN Red List

LC · Least Concern

Wild populations

CITES Appendix II. Solitary and territorial — house individually. Females lay eggs even unmated; provide a lay bin to prevent egg-binding.

Citations

Sources

Every husbandry parameter on this page is backed by the references below. Click through to read the originals.

Chamaeleo calyptratus — species account
Animal Diversity Web, U. Michigan
academic
Range, arboreal biology, egg-laying.
Published: 2020-01-01
Chamaeleo calyptratus — IUCN Red List (LC)
IUCN
government
Least Concern; CITES Appendix II.
Published: 2019-01-01
Veiled Chameleon Care Sheet
ReptiFiles (Mariah Healey)
breeder community
Screen cage, UVB, basking temps, misting/dripper hydration, calcium schedule.
Published: 2022-01-01