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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

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.

  1. Chamaeleo calyptratus — species account

    Animal Diversity Web, U. Michigan

    academic

    Range, arboreal biology, egg-laying.

    Published: 2020-01-01

  2. Chamaeleo calyptratus — IUCN Red List (LC)

    IUCN

    government

    Least Concern; CITES Appendix II.

    Published: 2019-01-01

  3. Veiled Chameleon Care Sheet

    ReptiFiles (Mariah Healey)

    breeder community

    Screen cage, UVB, basking temps, misting/dripper hydration, calcium schedule.

    Published: 2022-01-01

Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) care sheet — Herpetoverse