Are Chameleons Herbivores?

Chameleons are a species of lizard known for their bright colors and their ability to change their colors when the mood strikes. Chameleons can be challenging pets to keep because of their strict habitat requirements and varied diet. Chameleons are not herbivores, but they are not all strict carnivores either.

  1. Diet

    • Chameleons are omnivores, meaning they eat plant and animal matter. Some chameleons are strict carnivores and will only eat small animals, insects and other small invertebrates. A wild chameleon's diet usually consists of flies, worms, beetles, spiders, small birds, lizards and rodents. A wild chameleon also will eat berries and greens on occasion.

    Species

    • One species of chameleon, the veiled chameleon, is known to eat more plant matter than others. The veiled chameleon is one of the most common chameleon species available in the exotic pet trade. The chameleons in the wild and in captivity eat plants and berries.

    Captivity

    • Captive adult veiled chameleons should have greens incorporated into their diet; they will eat them readily. Juvenile and baby chameleons should be fed protein primarily with supplementary vegetation. Some examples of vegetation that veiled chameleons can eat are mustard greens, spinach, dandelion greens, blueberries, strawberries and grapes.

    Misconceptions

    • One of the most common misconceptions about chameleons is that they can change color to match their background. This assumption isn't true; chameleons can darken or brighten their colors for camouflage or when they are stressed. Another misconception is that a chameleon's color can be affected by its diet. No matter what is fed to a chameleon, its natural coloring will remain the same.