Chameleon

Dehydration

SignsSunken eyes, skin slow to flatten when pinched, yellow to orange urates, loss of appetite, lethargy

PreventionDrip and mist at least twice daily, 5+ minutes each. Confirm droplets form on leaves and watch for licking

Metabolic bone disease

SignsCannot grip branches and falls, bent or trembling limbs, soft jaw, cannot extend tongue, mouth will not close

PreventionDust insects with calcium at every feeding; replace the UVB light every 6 months and position it 20–30 cm from the branches

Swollen or closed eyes

SignsOne or both eyes kept shut, swollen eyelids, discharge around the eyes, not eating

PreventionVitamin A deficiency and dryness are the main causes. Gut-load feeder insects and raise humidity with misting

Mouth rot (stomatitis)

SignsYellow-white cheesy pus at the corners of the mouth, mouth will not close, darkened gums, drooling

PreventionKeep ventilation with a mesh cage and avoid cold, damp conditions. Rubbing the mouth on the mesh calls for an enclosure review

Egg binding (female veiled)

SignsPersistent abdominal swelling, loss of appetite, digging without laying, lethargy and falling from branches

PreventionKeep a laying bin at least 30 cm deep permanently available for mature females. Calcium supplementation and correct temperature. Consult early if it recurs

Respiratory infection

SignsOpen-mouth breathing, puffed-out throat, bubbles at the nose or mouth, breathing noises, head constantly pointed down

PreventionLower the temperature at night for a day-night difference. Use a mesh cage rather than a glass tank to prevent stuffiness

Tongue injury

PreventionFeed by hand or from a cup so the tongue does not strike the food dish or cage mesh. Avoid hard-bodied prey

First aidIf the tongue is left out, keep it moist with mist without letting it dry, and go to the vet immediately, holding where you cannot be bitten. Amputation may be needed

Fracture from a fall

PreventionCross several branches and line the floor with thick foliage. Prevent metabolic bone disease to maintain grip strength

First aidDo not move it; transfer to a low cloth-lined container and do not touch the limbs. Swelling or deformity: see the vet the same day

Torn claws, toe injuries

PreventionAvoid coarse metal mesh; use fabric or resin-coated mesh. Vary branch thickness to spread the load on the claws

First aidPress bleeding with clean gauze. If a claw is caught in the mesh, do not pull; cut the mesh to free it

Burns (lights)

PreventionPlace the basking light outside the cage or on top of the mesh, at least 20 cm from any branch

First aidDo not cool or touch the burn; see the vet the same day to prevent infection. Do not pop blisters

Salmonellosis

RouteDroppings and cage items touched by hand, then hand to mouth

PreventionWash hands with soap after care. Do not wash equipment in the kitchen. Infants and the elderly should avoid contact

Ticks and mites

RouteFrom wild-caught or newly arrived animals onto human skin

PreventionQuarantine newcomers in a separate room and check skin folds. Have the vet remove any found

Bacterial skin infection

RouteResident bacteria entering through bites and scratches

PreventionWash wounds under running water and disinfect. See a doctor if swelling or pain develops

Parasites (protozoa)

RouteVia hands or feeder insects contaminated with feces

PreventionRemove droppings daily and wear gloves. Have regular fecal exams done

Food

• Live insects such as crickets, dubia roaches and worms. Smaller than the width of the head
• Juveniles daily, adults every 2–3 days, as much as is eaten in 5–10 minutes
• Gut-load insects with vegetables for 24 hours and dust with calcium every time

Water

• Create droplets on leaves with a dripper or mister for licking. At least twice daily
• A water bowl is unnecessary and fouls quickly. Confirm daily that it licks wet leaves

Toys & play

• Natural branches of varying thickness crossed into a 3D layout
• Live foliage plants (pothos, hibiscus) for hiding
• A cup feeder to show the movement of prey

Nest, bed & hideout

• A leafy sleeping spot on the upper branches
• For females, a laying bin of moist soil at least 30 cm deep

Bedding & litter

• No substrate (prevents ingestion and dampness)
• A draining resin tray or paper towels
• Remove droppings daily. Wash the whole cage monthly

Cage / housing material

All-mesh cage. A glass tank traps moisture and causes respiratory disease

Size & space

Adults need at least 45 W x 45 D x 90 H cm. Height is the top priority

Layout

• Basking spot and resting branches at the top
• Live plants and branches in the middle for 3D movement
• Drainage tray and drip catch basin at the bottom

Placement notes

• Place it above human eye level (being looked down on causes anxiety)
• Where it cannot see other animals or its own reflection in glass

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• No free roaming needed. Handle only for health checks
• On fine days, sunbathe through a screen (never in direct sun or unattended)
• Rearrange the branches regularly to keep it active

Temperature & humidity

TemperatureDaytime 24–28°C, basking 30–35°C, night 18–22°C

HumidityVeiled 40–60%, panther 60–80%. Allow drying time after misting

Summer & winter

• Summer: avoid direct sun and sealed enclosures above 30°C; ventilate with a fan
• Winter: keep above 18°C even at night. Watch for dryness

Nail trimming

Nail trimming is generally unnecessary. If claws catch on the mesh, have the vet trim only the tips

Brushing, skin & coat care

No brushing needed. Shed comes off naturally in patches. Moisten leftovers with mist; do not peel

Other care

Eyes kept shut, tongue not extending, or mouth not closing: see the vet immediately. Weigh monthly

Protection from predators

• Keep in a room out of sight of dogs, cats and birds (even their gaze is stressful)
• Watch for crows and cats during balcony sunbathing; never look away
• Mosquitoes and ants entering through the mesh. Double up with insect screen

Foreign-body ingestion

Substrate, pebbles and fragments of artificial plants get swallowed with prey caught by the tongue. Use no substrate, and only real plants or ones with stiff leaves. See the vet if droppings stop

Being stepped on

An animal on the floor is hard to see due to camouflage. After an escape, check your footing and scan the room before opening doors

Getting pinched

Tails and toes easily get caught in the cage door. Check the tail position before closing. If a toe is caught, do not pull; open the door to free it

Falls

Falls occur when grip weakens from metabolic bone disease or dehydration. Line the floor with thick foliage or cloth and avoid branches above 1 m

Escape

Mostly caused by leaving the cage door open. If it escapes, search curtain rails, houseplants and high spots near windows. Find it quickly; it dehydrates easily

Safe release procedure

1. Stay still, relax, and wait for it to let go
2. If it does not, bring a branch or leaf near its snout to distract it
3. Misting lukewarm water at its mouth often makes it release
4. Once released, return it to the cage at once and leave it undisturbed for a while

After the release

Wash the wound under running water and disinfect. See a doctor if swelling or pain persists. Review why you were bitten (how you handled it)

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Enclosure temperature and humidity, UVB light replacement date, watering method, food and supplements, date of last droppings, photos

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Look at body color. Dark and muddy means unwell
• Check breathing by throat movement. Roughly a few times per minute
• Have it grip a branch to test strength and response. No response is dangerous

Stopping bleeding

• Press the wound gently with clean gauze
• For tongue bleeding, do not press; moisten and go to the vet immediately
• Do not cut the tail or use styptic powder; see the vet

Transport

• A ventilated box lined with cloth and a twig to grip
• Keep around 25°C, dark, and carry quietly