What Kind of UV Light Do I Use for a Veiled Chameleon?

Veiled, or Yemen, chameleons require a broad-spectrum ultraviolet light source to stay healthy. They require UVB light to synthesize vitamin D3 and metabolize calcium from food, and UVA light to stimulate appetite and increase activity. A fluorescent UV tube or compact lamp designed for reptiles provides the necessary balance of UVB and UVA light to keep your chameleon healthy. Without a UV light, veiled chameleons develop metabolic bone disease and die.

  1. UVB Strength

    • Ultraviolet reptile tubes and lamps have a universal specification of 2.0, 5.0 or 10.0 across all brands. The number indicates the percentage of ultraviolet light emitted from each strength of tube or lamp. 2.0 is the weakest, suitable for snakes and amphibians or in conjunction with an additional UV light source. 5.0 is the strength recommended for jungle species, including chameleons, and 10.0 lamps provide the strongest output for desert-dwelling reptiles such as bearded dragons.

    Positioning the UV Light Source

    • Veiled chameleons are arboreal, preferring to stay as high as possible in their vivarium, and your reptile must be able to perch within 8 to 12 inches of the tube or lamp to benefit from its UV output. Install a UV tube along the top of the vivarium roof, or diagonally across the back wall so your chameleon is close to the UV source all day. Alternatively, attach a UV compact lamp to the roof of the vivarium, in the center, to allow good all-round dispersal of beneficial rays.

    Day and Night Differential

    • Provide your chameleon with 12 hours of daylight each day from a basking spotlight and separate UV lamp or tube. Veiled chameleons are not active after dark, so switch off all light sources for up to 12 hours at night. They go to sleep as soon as their vivarium is dark, and wake up when they sense warmth in the morning.

    Precautions

    • Veiled chameleons are active climbers and often hang upside down on their vivarium lamp fitting when shedding their skin. The heat from a spotlight or ultraviolet light helps the old skin to flake away, and your chameleon may rub against the light unit and other available rough surfaces to speed up the process. You must cover all reptile vivarium lights and heat sources with appropriate guards to prevent burns.

    Maintenance

    • Change your UV tube or lamp every 6 to 12 months, even if it is still working. UV efficiency drops dramatically after about a year, and although the bulb gives out visible light, it may no longer be emitting its full capacity of ultraviolet light.