Chameleons · Care guide
Chamaeleo calyptratus
Also called Veiled chameleons — from Yemen into parts of Saudi Arabia, from dry deserts and rocky slopes to lush mountain trees and shrubs. Tall wooden vivarium with ceiling heat and T5 12% UV, day humidity 50–60% with a strong night spike, drip drinking, and a live-insect diet.
At a glance
Key parameters for day-to-day husbandry. Full detail is in the sections below.
Daytime probe
84 °F
29 °C · halfway down back
Night drop
~10 °F
~6 °C · about 68–72 °F / 20–22 °C
Humidity
50–60%
Day · night spike up to 90%
UVB
T5 12%
Ceiling-mounted inside roof
01 · Housing
Arboreal chameleons that need more height than width. Higher temperatures favour a wooden vivarium over glass, with sturdy multi-level branches, plenty of foliage, humidity-retentive substrate, and ceiling-mounted heat and T5 12% UV.
Adult minimum size
24″ W × 18″ D × 36″ H
Tall wooden vivarium preferred (higher temperatures). Heat and T5 12% UV on the ceiling / inside roof. Coir + coarse orchid bark (or bio).
Housing diagram
Enclosure example
Front view 24″ wide × 36″ tall (depth 18″) · wooden vivarium · branches · foliage · coir + orchid bark
Setup diagram · 1 of 2
Top-down view
Heat bulb & probe left–right positions · Recommended temps need this layout
Setup diagram · 2 of 2
Front view
Looking into the vivarium · bulb on the ceiling · probe hangs down the back
02 · Climate
Probe control at 84 °F, a basking gradient to about 90–95 °F, T5 12% UVB on the ceiling, day humidity 50–60% with a night spike up to 90%, and careful misting without constant wetness.
When the heat bulb and thermostat sensor are placed as instructed, a probe target of 84 °F (29 °C) probe point creates this spread. The probe point is not the basking spot.
| Zone | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Toward bottom | ~74–78 °F (~23–26 °C) |
| Middle | 80–84 °F (27–29 °C) |
| Probe point (thermostat probe target) | 84 °F (29 °C) |
| Basking spot (hottest point under bulb) | ~90–95 °F (~32–35 °C) |
| Night drop | Reduce thermostat by ~10 °F drop · about 68–72 °F (20–22 °C) at night |
Climate diagram
Lighting setup
T5 12% UVB on the ceiling · heat dome on the warm side · match UV to heat schedule
50–60% by day · night spike up to 90% · spray twice daily with night priority.
50–60% RH
Slightly drier periods through the day are normal and safe
Up to 90%
Focus the second spray at night — fogger or rain system can help
Ventilation
Constant wetness increases bacteria and mould — allow drier periods
Always have the thermostat dial turned down before you plug it into the mains for the first time. Set the probe point to 84 °F (29 °C) for daytime once equipment is in place. Young/baby Yemens can run slightly lower temperatures while they learn to thermoregulate.
03 · Nutrition
Live insects only with method of 5, dusting every feed, and well gut-loaded feeders. Food size no larger than the distance between the eyes.
At a glance
Fed regularly
In moderation only
Dust every feeding with a 4:1 mix of calcium : Nutrobal (4 parts calcium to 1 part Nutrobal). Mix before dusting, then coat the food on every feed.
New arrivals often will not eat well for the first few days. This is normal. Once settled, appetite usually increases — exact cricket/locust counts vary.
Offer 5 insects at a time
Wait until you see them consumed before adding more
Reduces uneaten insects, stress, and possible insect-related injuries
Gut-load insects before offering — variety matters for calcium-to-phosphorus (Ca:P) and vitamins.
Feeder insects must be well fed before offering. In the wild, lizards and amphibians scavenge a wide variety of prey that themselves ate varied foods — supplying complete nutrition and a better calcium-to-phosphorus (Ca:P) ratio.
Speak to a member of staff for more feeding advice.
04 · Behaviour
Allow a full settle period before handling — new environments are stressful, and early handling can make it worse.
Allow the chameleon to settle and begin eating regularly before handling. Adapting is stressful; early handling can make it worse. At least two successful feeds first.
Initial sessions: 5–10 minutes only. Lengthen as they become more comfortable.
Always wash or disinfect hands before and after handling to prevent bacteria transfer both ways.
Do not use aerosols or plug-in air fresheners near the enclosure — the chemicals can harm your chameleon.
05 · Welfare
Prevention starts with correct husbandry — heat, UVB, humidity balance without waterlogging, safe water, and supplementation working together.
Correct temperatures, supplementation, hydration, and UVB keep the immune system and gut working well — supporting essential physiological processes.
Some keepers choose inert solid substrates such as paper, lino, or carpet. They can reduce impaction risk but also remove natural digging behaviour and can increase faecal contamination, because waste is not absorbed as it is in traditional substrates.
Questions
Adult minimum 24″ wide × 36″ high × 18″ deep. They are arboreal and need more height than width. Because they need higher temperatures, a wooden vivarium is recommended over glass. Provide sturdy multi-level branches, plenty of foliage for cover and drip drinks, and humidity-retentive coir mixed with coarse orchid bark (bio setups work well).
Set the dimming thermostat probe to 84 °F (29 °C) by day. Place the heat bulb about one-quarter from one side, halfway front to back, and hang the sensor one-quarter from the opposite side down the back about halfway down. That creates a gradient of roughly 74–78 °F toward the bottom, 80–84 °F in the middle, and about 90–95 °F under the basking spot. Night drop about 10 °F on the thermostat (around 68–72 °F). Young/baby Yemens can run slightly cooler while they learn to thermoregulate. Recommended temps only apply with this placement.
Daytime humidity about 50–60%. The night spike is extremely important and can reach as high as 90%. Spray twice a day with a pump sprayer, focusing on the night spray. Mist foliage near the chameleon so they can rehydrate from dripping leaves — they rarely drink standing water. Fogger, misting machine, or rain systems with timers help. Many chameleons, and Yemens in particular, also take in night humidity through the lungs. Allow drier periods during the day; keeping the enclosure constantly wet increases bacteria and mould. Use treated water (e.g. Reptisafe) or bottled water.
A T5 tube with 12% output fitted on the inside to the roof of the vivarium. Match UV to daylight hours: about 10–12 hours in winter, increasing to 14–16 hours in summer. Heat is about 10 hours in winter and up to 16 hours in summer. Replace UV tubes every 12 months.
Allow them to settle and begin eating regularly first (at least two successful feeds). Early sessions 5–10 minutes only; lengthen as they become more comfortable. Always wash or disinfect hands before and after. No aerosols or plug-in air fresheners near the enclosure.
Offer five insects at a time and wait until eaten before adding more. Once settled, about 5–10 crickets daily is common. Dust every feed with a 4:1 calcium : Nutrobal mix. Food size no larger than the distance between the eyes. Staples: crickets, locusts, calci worms, mealworms; wax worms, morios and similar in moderation. Gut-load feeders well before offering.
Next steps
Shop heating, housing and lighting on this site, browse livestock when available, or speak to our team for a tailored kit list.
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