How to Care for a Pygmy Chameleon Lizard

Pygmy chameleons are tiny, and caring for them is relatively easy and inexpensive. Additionally, it's fun to watch them change their colors. While the species originated in tropical rain forests, they can adapt to any home with the proper habitat. With its mellow disposition, this is an ideal pet for the first-time lizard owner.

Things You'll Need

  • 10-gallon fish tank
  • Mesh reptile cage
  • Chola wood
  • Shredded coconut husk
  • Spray mister
  • Rocks
  • Plants
  • Crickets
  • Mealworms
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Instructions

    • 1

      Prepare a habitat for your pet, before purchasing it. A 10-gallon fish tank with a wire mesh cage inside works well, because this lizard likes lots of ventilation. Line the bottom of the cage with shredded coconut husks. Provide a basking area; chola wood works nicely for this. Place a shallow bowl of water in the cage. Suspend a low watt UVB bulb above the cage for warmth and light.

    • 2

      Purchase your pygmy chameleon and be prepared for how tiny it will be; it will only grow to about 3 inches as an adult. Introduce your new pet to its habitat. Mist the interior of the cage with water often, to provide the humid environment these animals prefer. Make sure to maintain its habitat at temperatures of of 82 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing the temperature to drop no lower than 68 degrees Fahrenheit at night.

    • 3

      Clean the cage often, keeping it as free of droppings. Feed your chameleon two or three crickets a day., and provide an occasional mealworm for a treat. Four or five days a week, sprinkle the crickets with "Tetrofauna Reptolife" powder, a nutritional supplement that will ensure they get plenty of calcium.