The Behaviors of Chameleons

The beautiful chameleon is a shy, solitary creature who prefers his alone time. He may tolerate another chameleon when breeding, but other than this, he prefers to be left to his own devices. He does not enjoy being handled or a lot of activity in his home. Both of these things can cause stress for the exquisite little creature.

  1. Communication

    • Perhaps best known for their changing colors, chameleons do this for very good reason. It is important to know what the colors mean and to watch them closely, as dark hues can signal times of stress or illness. A color that is lighter than normal may be signaling that the chameleon is too cold or isn't feeling well. Bright, bold colors may be a sign that the chameleon is under stress or feeling territorial of his turf. When mating, chameleons may "talk" by emitting low frequency sound. They may also emit similar sounds when they are feeling territorial or defensive.

    Attracting a Mate

    • When a male chameleon decides he is ready to mate and lays his eyes on a female, he may start by bobbing his head up and down. He will cause his neck to inflate and make his body look as big as possible, all while displaying his most beautiful colors. Miss Chameleon may accept the offer. If she declines it, she may run for the hills, open up her mouth and hiss directly at him or bite him, which can result in his death.

    Temperature Regulation

    • Chameleons need a source of warmth and light within their habitat so they will be able to regulate their body temperature as needed. A pet chameleon needs a harmonious balance of light and shade so that he can live a healthy, happy chameleon life. He will need a heated light so he can bask in a spot that is around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. On average, the cage should be between 80 and 90 degrees during the day. The temperature needs to drop 10 to 15 degrees in the evenings. Place a basking or incandescent light within a reflector outside of the cage so that the chameleon doesn't suffer any burns. The chameleon's cage should also have a shaded area so he can cool off when he wants to get away from the light.

    Generally Calm

    • When handled by humans, chameleons tend to be very docile and calm. However, chameleons are a pet better suited for observing rather than touching and holding. In general, chameleons would rather walk the other way than fight with predators in their native habitats. Aside from humans, chameleons can be territorial and aggressive when other animals, especially other chameleons, enter their cage. Chameleons are introverted and can live happily when dwelling in their cage alone.