How to Raise & Tame a Chameleon

Caring for a chameleon requires preparation. Chameleons need a special environment as well as a special diet. These two factors must be addressed before you even consider taming a chameleon, as the health and comfort of the color-changing lizards will make taming much easier. Think twice about raising and taming a chameleon if you live in an area where there are no pet stores, as this can greatly increase the effort you put into maintaining your pet.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium and cover
  • Screen or mosquito netting
  • Clamp style lamp
  • Misting water bottle
  • Chameleon food
  • Branches
  • Live plants
  • Water drip tube
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Instructions

    • 1

      Provide a suitable habitat for the chameleon. A glass aquarium large enough to provide room for roaming around is a good choice for the novice pet owner. You might consider building a larger habitat as your chameleon grows and you become more accustomed to it.

    • 2

      Make sure the cover on your aquarium has at least a couple of large holes to provide fresh air. Cover the holes with screen or mosquito netting to keep the chameleon from escaping.

    • 3

      Set up the cage with various sizes of branches for climbing. Live plants will also offer good hiding spaces for your chameleon.

    • 4

      Provide adequate humidity. Clay balls soaked in water can help keep the area humid. Use a spray bottle to mist the inside lightly to add moisture.

    • 5

      Use a clamp style lamp that is attached to the side of the habitat. The heat from the lamp will provide warmth and will mimic sunlight if your chameleon does not sit out in the sun for a couple of hours each day.

    • 6

      Feed your chameleon a diet of wax moths, flour-worms, houseflies, wax worms, crickets and grasshoppers to name a few. Do not overfeed your chameleon. One insect per day is sufficient.

    • 7

      Install a drip tube in the chameleon's habitat to provide water.

    • 8

      Remove feces and uneaten food on a daily basis. Also, clean food and water dishes daily.

    • 9

      Tame your chameleon by placing a wax worm on the palm of your hand. Keep your hand very still and allow the chameleon to take the wax worm from your hand with its tongue. This is best started with very young chameleons. Eventually the chameleon will become confident and will feed from your hand every time.