Yemen chameleon

Yemen Chameleon 

(chamaeleo calyptratus) 

Life span Males have a lifespan of around 8 years and females around 4-5 years

Max size Males will grow to around 60cm with females being smaller and growing to 35cm

Diet Yemen chameleons are omnivorous and as well as feeding on gut loaded insects, they can be offered chopped greens and leaves such as Dandelions leaves, clover and nasturtiums. These should be dusted regularly with a high quality calcium and D3 supplement

Day temperature Temperatures of around 26-30C should be maintained and a basking spot of 35C is needed. The heat source should be controlled with a thermostat

Night temperature Night time temperature should not fall below 21C

Lighting Full spectrum UVB lighting is essential to help the chameleon absorb vitamin D3. The heat and lighting can either be achieved with separate UV and heat bulbs, or in a combined mercury vapour bulb.

Humidity They will need 50-60% humidity so will need regular misting or a drip system put in place.

Housing One adult will require a large arboreal enclosure that needs to be well ventilated, as stagnant air causes health problems. Wooden vivariums are not recommended as the chameleon will need to be misted several times daily so purpose built mesh enclosures are preferable

Decor The enclosure should have adequate vine and branching as well as fake plants to provide cover for the animal to hide and feel secure. Live plants can also be used in the enclosures, although care should be taken when purchasing live plants for any reptile as not all are suitable and can be dangerous if eaten.

Handling most chameleons are prone to stress so shouldn't be over handled.

Community It's best to house them separately as they can be territorial, and never house males together.

Health Some common health issues include: Dehydration, MBD (Metabolic bone disease), Egg retention and Respiratory infections. If you have any concerns with the health of your chameleon you should seek veterinary advice.

Sexing They are sexually dimorphic, with males having tarsal spurs on the back of their feet, and large casques on the top of their heads. Females have no spurs and a much smaller casque.

Breeding An unmated female is receptive every 10 to 15 days, and becomes receptive about 60 days after each oviposition (egg laying). At this time she exhibits passive mating coloration, with an emerald green body often with blue spotting down the back and occasional blue streaks on the casque, and she is placed in a male's enclosure for a breeding attempt. If she is receptive to the male, she is housed with him for no longer than one day.

Only healthy veiled chameleons should be bred. Females should have good body weight, but not be obese. Suitable females generally weigh about 65 to 90 grams. Although females may reach sexual maturity as early as 4 months of age, they should be kept from males until they are closer to a year old. Early breeding often leads to difficulty in egg laying and early death.

A male first responds to an introduced female much in the way he would to a male entering his territory. His colors brighten, body compresses, throat expands, and his tail curls tightly. Recognizing the intruder as a potential mate, he approaches the female with deliberate swagger, his head jerking side to side. Once a male closes in on her position, a receptive female will retain her passive coloration and slowly crawl away. The male will follow her, often with closed-mouth nudges to her hindquarters, before he mounts her and aligns his cloaca with hers for hemipenal penetration. Mating usually lasts for several minutes and may be repeated one or more times throughout the day. Eggs are laid 20 to 30 days after mating, or 90 to 120 days after previous oviposition in females that double clutch from a previous mating. Veiled chameleons lay clutches of 30 to 60 oval eggs every 90 to 120 days. Eggs should be incubated at approx 26C and will hatch in 165 to 200 days.

Russell McRae