Chameleons are among the most well-known reptiles found in the world.
The lizard family is known for their stunning colors and their ability to alter hue.
Despite their popularity , there is plenty of confusion about how to handle the baby Chameleon. They are extremely stressed and not domesticated, and have specific needs for food and shelter.
The care of an infant chameleon can be difficult and should not be attempted by beginners.
If you’re planning to take on this species, take a look at this article to understand how to maintain them.
What is a baby Chameleon is it?
When the Chameleon is born, they are known as hatchlings. They are considered hatchlings for the initial 24-48 hours following the time they emerge from the eggs.
After the first 48 hours, they are referred to as “Chameleons” and not baby Chameleons!
Chameleon is a generic term. Chameleon is not used to refer to any specific species, but rather is an umbrella name for a group of Lizards.
Chamaeleonidae are a distinctive collection of arboreal lizards that reside in warm and tropical climates.
There are over 100 subspecies of animals worldwide that are included in this term. One of the most well-known species are the bright panther chameleon and the vividly colored green obscured species.
Do Baby Chameleons make good pets?
Chameleons are one of the most popular reptiles for pet owners. They are beautiful in color and have unique physical characteristics like their elaborate crested heads and the prehensile tails.
While adults are interesting pets, babies should NOT recommended to new pet owners..
The care and maintenance of the species is lots of work, especially when you compare it to other lizard species like leopard geckos skinks, leopard geckos, as well as bearded dragons.
They require precise quantities in vitamin A and D in addition to UV light. To provide the proper amount of each vitamin , you must feed them an already-formed vitamin.
Also, you must ensure that you feed them a proper diet. The food you feed them is usually lower in nutrients than the wild and can result in nutrition-related osteoporosis.
In the end, you’ll need to supply your lizard with an appropriate lighting fixture with UV and a habitat. They are very sensitive to environmental or nutritional changes and are extremely stressed.
If you choose to purchase the Baby Chameleon it is not unusual for them to pass away in the course of shipping. This is because of the stress they experience in transit.
It is also recommended to avoid touching him in any way. This is not a domesticated species and is not a fan of be handled.
Touching repeatedly on young Chameleons could lead to premature death.
What is the cost of a baby Chameleon Cost?
There are more than 100 species of subspecies in Chameleon. The price of a new Chameleon will depend on their subspecies. There are many species that are bought for between $30 and $100. But rare species like the Veiled species may cost as much as $400.
Males are typically stronger and are more vibrant in color. This is why they cost more than females.
Here’s a listing of the species that are sold within the United States and their price range:
| Species | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Elliot’s | 30 to $90 |
| Dwarf Fisher’s | From $30 to $90 |
| Jackson’s | Between $30 and $100 |
| Panther | Between $200 and $400 |
| Veiled | Between $200 and $500 |
Panther Chameleons can be expensive as they are only available for purchase from captive breeding. Panthers originate originated from Madagascar and importation to the USA has been prohibited since the 1970s.
They can also undergo extreme change in color. This is due to photosynthetic crystals that are found on their skin. Males are able to alter their colors from dark orange to light green.
Most costly Chameleon is the one with a veiled appearance. Their distinctive appearance and the ability to alter the brightness of their skin make them a sought-after pet.
Baby veiled species may alter the brightness of their skin according to their mood. Bright colors signify emotions of happiness or anger. The darker colors may indicate stress.
Do baby chameleons bite?
Chameleons are often fierce and territorial.
If you approach a scared Chameleon you could risk bite you. The larger species, like the panther species are quite a powerful bite.
They’ll stretch their legs and expand their throats if they see that you pose a threat. They also turn bright in appearance and growl at you to warn. This is the time to leave your pet and allow them to rest.
Be aware that Chameleons aren’t domestic pets.
They don’t like being treated by humans.
Baby Chameleons must be handled as little as is possible. This can prevent attacks and health problems.
When you approach a baby, it is important to avoid sudden moves. Fast movements are viewed as predatory to a newborn.
If it is possible, it is recommended to stay clear of handling completely.
How to feed a baby Chameleon
In the wild, baby Chameleons feed on a range of insects.
Their diet could include mealworms, crickets and insects, flies, roaches and much more..
Baby chameleons must consume 10-20 crickets as well as roaches and worms each day. The insects must be gut-loaded and smaller than the head of your lizard.
Be sure to feed your insects a variety. Don’t feed only either worms or crickets. Make sure to include non-toxic grasshoppers and butterflies. You can also feed hawk moths fruit flies , and ants.
Store bought insects are acceptable in the event that they are properly prepared as well as gut-loaded. To properly gut load the insects, give fresh fruits and vegetables like dandelion leaf and potted hibiscus plant.
After you’ve set up the insect, use the prongs or tweezers for grabbing the insects and put them into the enclosure. Your baby chameleon will be predator in nature. They’ll naturally recognize how to act when they are able to see food.
It is important to feed your gut-loaded insects within the next 24 hours to your Lizard.
Each week, clean the insect with an calcium supplement. This supplement must contain no vitamin D and virtually no phosphorus.
Every two months, take an multivitamin supplement that has Vitamin A and a minimal level of vitamin D3. It is essential to supply only the correct quantity in these nutrients. In excess of a vitamin could cause health problems.
Then, you should ensure that you have a clean water source.
In the wild, Chameleons get their water from drops of droplets that fall on leaves of plants and other materials. To emulate this, mist their enclosures. How often you mist is dependent on the species they belong to:
- Spray the Panther enclosure with chameleons at least twice a every day. You could also create an irrigation system using an empty plastic cup.
- To cover your face, give a constant spray of just one minute every evening, after the lights are turned off.
How Fast Will Baby Chameleons Get Growing?
The monitoring of the growth of your baby chameleon’s growth is crucial.
The growth rate is a reliable indicator of a proper management.
If you are a Chameleon receives the right diet, you can expect the baby to develop between one and two inches each month.
Many owners monitor the growth of their young chameleon each month to ensure they are growing properly. When you notice that your Chameleon is suddenly slowing down or begins to lose weight, it could be an indication of stress or poor care.
Below is a chart of growth for the veiled baby the chameleon. Panther Chameleons are similar to the growth rate, however they are typically larger in adulthood:
| Age | Size |
|---|---|
| 48 hours | 2 inches |
| 2 weeks | 3 inches |
| 1 month | 5 inches |
| 3 months | 7 inches |
| 8 months | 9-14 inches |
| 12 months | 17-24 inches (male) 10-14 inches (female) |
How to Take Care Of Baby Chameleons
To properly take care of a baby chameleon, it is necessary to create an suitable enclosure and adequate lighting.
The exact setup may differ depending on the species, however their needs are usually similar.
Enclosure Set-up
Chameleons must have a tall metal mesh with a plastic coating near the eye.
Baby Chameleons shouldn’t be capable of seeing their reflection since this could result in stress. This means that you shouldn’t make use of the glass enclosure.
They also are susceptible to UV damage. Due to this, it is not recommended to place the enclosure near windows or skylight.
Young Chameleons must be kept in an enclosure of no less than 16x16x30 inches.
After six months, they can be moved to the adult size 60 gallon enclosure.
Plants and Branching
Chameleons have been specifically designed for the arboreal environment. To ensure that their environment is suitable for them to reside in, you need to give them a place to climb. In order to do this, plant branches and vines in their enclosure.
Apart from branches, you’ll need to plant your plants within their enclosures too. Trees like Bonsai, Ivy, Ferns and Orchids are excellent choices.
Plants can help people feel secure. Plants that are real have been proven to lower stress levels.
Fake plants are a good option however they must be cooked to a boil for minimum 15 minutes to kill any bacteria that might be present.
No matter if you choose to use fake or real plants, they require to be tall and spread across the length of your enclosure.
Lighting and Temperate
Baby Chameleons must be kept in an enclosure between 75-85 degrees F with 40-60 percent humidity. This temperature can be reached with the proper lighting.
Panther chameleons must be provided with an 40-watt UVB bulb for 50 hours per week.
Chameleons with eyes that are veiled should have a reflector dome made of ceramic with an UVA bulb that is placed six inches above the top perch for basking. The bulb must be 90-95degF in the daytime.
If the enclosure is too cold, you could include a 50W ceramic heat emitter.
Substrate
The majority of Chameleons spend their time high up within their cages.
This is because in the event that you do not intend to plant real plants, it’s unnecessary to add any substrate near the bottom of the tank.
If you choose to plant real flowers inside the enclosure, then you should apply topsoil with no fertilizer added. Pesticides that are corrosive and other fertilizers that aren’t natural could harm the baby chameleon.
It is also possible to use reptile carpet, but the loops could snag the claws of the Chameleon.
Why Do the Baby Chameleons Die?
Many babies die in captivity due to stress or poor management.
Babies aren’t as adaptable to changes as pets Lizards. It is often difficult for new keepers to offer a suitable care for the species.
Stress from improper food and humidity, temperature, sanitation, and lighting is very common.
One mistake that beginners make is to believe that Chameleons are suitable pets for kids. They’re not! Another mistake made is thinking that this species is a lover of being handled. They don’t!
Beginning pet owners must be very careful to create the right environment and diet for their pet.
The food that is sold in stores is not enough.
It is essential to offer an assortment of insects that have guts. The diet of the baby chameleons must be supplemented with supplements as baby Chameleons require vitamins D and A as well as calcium and Phosphorus.
Without these vital nutrients, your Chameleon could be susceptible to a range of health issues. Vitamin A deficiency could cause slow growth, blindness and difficulty in reproduction.
Summary
In order to keep your baby Chameleon healthy, you must conduct your research prior to the time. This will allow you to provide an appropriate environment and increase the chance of maintaining an enlightened Chameleon.
At a minimum, ensure that you:
- Give Vitamin A as well as D3 supplements once a month.
- Sprinkle their bugs with calcium powder every week.
- Make sure you have a high mesh enclosure of at minimum 16x16x 30 inches ( filled with climbing plants).
- Put their enclosures on the eye level.
- Avoid handling them.
The amount of work needed to care for and keep this lizard in good health is an enormous amount of work. The beautiful reptiles aren’t ideal for all.
If you decide this is the right breed for then make sure to purchase from a reliable breeder.
Let us know if had a baby chameleon, in the comment section below.
