Veiled chameleon
Chamaeleo calyptratus
There is moderate risk associated with keeping this species as a pet, as explained below. Prospective pet owners should research if they can safely keep the animal for its lifetime, including housing, proper food and veterinary care, and be sure it can be kept as a pet in their jurisdiction.
© Shutterstock
Assessment results
Moderate risk
Conservation | Moderate risk
This animal is likely to be threatened by extinction in the wild, and/or it is subject to international trade controls due to demand in the pet trade. Please check that the animal you want comes from a reputable seller or rescue center that follows best practices when they source their animals. Learn more about wildlife conservation and the pet trade.
Legality | Low risk
This animal is not currently protected by any national laws or import restrictions. Exotic pet ownership, however, is regulated at the state, county, or city level, so check your jurisdiction to see if you can own it.
Human and public health | Moderate risk
It is likely that this animal is a potential threat to human or public health, either due to potential zoonotic diseases or due to physical attributes that can harm humans. Learn more about animal-related illness and injuries.
Invasiveness | Moderate risk
This species could negatively impact native biodiversity or habitats. However, never release a pet into the wild for any reason. Learn more about invasive species.
Animal welfare | Moderate risk
Care, diet, and housing needs of this species are either insufficiently known or difficult, making it hard to ensure it has a good quality of life for its lifetime. Learn more about the challenges with exotic pet welfare.
⚠️ Important considerations
- Most reptiles carry salmonella in their intestinal tract and may not be suitable for young children or immuno-compromised individuals. Always practice good hygiene and hand washing around chameleons.
- Veiled chameleons are an introduced species in Florida with an established breeding population and invasive in Hawaii, through escaped or released captive individuals. If you can no longer keep your pet, contact your local rescue center, responsible pet store, accredited zoo, veterinarian, or other trusted home to find someone that can take it in. Never release a pet outside, into the wild.
- Veiled chameleon housing and diet needs require additional knowledge and effort. They need a tall and large vivarium with plenty of branches for climbing, places to hide and rest, and good ventilation. Their enclosure needs a gradient of temperatures (72-80ºF on the cool end and 85-100ºF on the warm end, with a nighttime temperature no lower than 40-50 ºF) in their environment to be able to regulate their own body temperature, proper humidity (50-70%), and proper amounts of UVA and UVB light from a lamp on a normal light-dark cycle, to ensure good health. They are prone to metabolic bone disease without UV light exposure and enough calcium and vitamin D3. The substrate used in their environment is important and should not be something they could ingest.
- As with all pet reptiles, ensure there is access to a veterinarian that specializes in reptiles and consult them about proper habitat setup, diet, and care. Find a reptile vet near you.
Basic information
Taxonomy:
Squamata, Chamaeleonidae
Lifespan:
2-8 years
Weight:
3-7 oz. (85-200 g)
Size:
10-24 in. (25-61 cm)
Native range and habitat:
Coastal regions of Yemen and Saudi Arabia
Diet:
Insects, and some mixed green vegetation and flowers. Vitamin and mineral supplementation is important in captivity.
Activity and behavior:
- Solitary and territorial, tree dwelling species that should be kept alone in captivity as well
- Diurnal and hunt for food and bask in the sun during the day.
© WWF-Japan