Baby Veiled Chameleon Care Sheet: Everything You Need To Know

There’s a lot to love about Veiled Chameleons, but how do you raise one from a baby? Believe it not, baby Veiled Chameleons require different care from adult Veiled Chameleons. In this article, we’ll discuss how to take care of a baby Veiled Chameleon.

First, we’ll start with what a baby Veiled Chameleon is. Then, we’ll talk about their lifespan, nutritional needs, habitat setup, and much more. Also, we’ll touch upon baby Veiled Chameleons changing colors, shedding their skin, and some tips for providing the best care possible for them.

What Is A Baby Veiled Chameleon?

A Veiled Chameleon is one of the 160 known species of Chameleons. So, a baby Veiled Chameleon is this species that’s between being a hatchling and six months of age.

Not only are they one of the largest Chalemeon species, but they also have a varied diet. So, you can expect this reptile to grow to be between 18 and 20 inches long (sometimes a little longer) while eating many things to help them grow.

For example, they can eat insects, dark leafy greens, vegetables, and fruits. However, baby Veiled Chameleons only need live food to help them grow and develop quickly. 

You can tell a Veiled Chameleon from the rest because they have a veil on the top of their head. This helps them drink water in the wild. For instance, rain may collect in their veil, dripping down to their mouths.

What You Need To Know As Your Baby Veiled Chameleon Grows

Veiled Chameleons are one of the largest Chameleons known. They grow the fastest when they’re babies, during the first six months of their life.

For example, as a hatchling, they’ll be about three to four inches long already. By the time they’re six months old, you can expect your baby Veiled Chameleon to be about 12 to 18 inches long. Baby male Veiled Chameleons are typically slightly bigger than baby female Veiled Chameleons. 

Learn more about the growth rate of Veiled Chameleons here.

When bringing home a baby Veiled Chameleon, you’ll want to make sure you’re prepared to care for them correctly.

As previously mentioned, they grow the fastest when they’re babies. To help them grow, they need a proper enclosure with a nutritious diet of live protein. Also, they need ample room to grow along with warm temperatures in their tank.

As your baby Veiled Chameleon grows, they’ll shed their skin, change colors, and will eat a lot.

In case you’re unsure about how to care for your baby Veiled Chameleon, you can check in with your reptile’s vet.

Otherwise, we’ve got you covered with everything you need to know about caring for your baby Veiled Chameleon.

With proper care, you can be sure you’ll have your Veiled Chameleon for about five to eight years. Of course, males have a longer lifespan than females, but you can still have your reptile friend for a long time. 

Watch this video: Baby Veiled Chameleon Care

How To Set Up A Tank For Your Baby Veiled Chameleon

One of the most important ways to care for your baby Veiled Chameleon is to ensure that you have proper housing for them. For instance, it’s a good idea to get this set up before bringing home your baby Veiled Chameleon habitat.

What Size Tank?

Veiled Chameleons are the largest Chameleon, with males growing to be as long as 20 inches. In some cases, they grow to be about 24 inches long.

So, where do you put a nearly two-foot-long reptile? First, you’ll need a tank that’s at least 36 inches wide, 36 inches long, and 48 inches tall.

Since Veiled Chameleons love to climb, they need a tall structure, allowing them to climb as high as they want.

Adult males are the largest, but even if you have a female, this tank size is still a good idea to give them plenty of space.

The size of the tank matters so that your Veiled Chameleon has plenty of room to roam. However, the type of tank is also just as important. For instance, a glass tank or a plastic one will not be a good idea for your reptile friend.

Chameleons need plenty of ventilation, so you’ll want to find a tank that has screened sides.

Otherwise, they won’t get the ventilation they need, and your Chameleon could become aggressive or stressed if they see their reflection in the glass or plastic.

What Substrate To Use?

Luckily, you don’t need to add substrate to your Veiled Chameleon’s habitat unless you want to. However, the flooring will undoubtedly make the enclosure look more natural for your Chameleon and attractive for you.

If you decide to add substrate to your Veiled Chameleon’s habitat, then you can use the following as safe options:

• Reptile-safe dirt
• Flat, smooth stones
• Paper towels

Using substrate such as paper towels might not look pretty, but it’ll protect the bottom of the cage. Also, it’ll be easy to clean up for you.

On the other hand, dirt or stones may be more difficult for you to clean, but they’ll look nice and mimic your reptile’s natural habitat better.

What Do Baby Veiled Chameleons Need In Their Tank?

Baby Veiled Chameleons prefer to have a lot of decor in their tanks, such as branches, vines, and plants. However, you’ll want to add a dense amount of decor but not too much that your Veiled Chameleon can’t get around.

For example, add plenty of open branches and vines for your Veiled Chameleon to climb on. Also, leave room for them to bask in the open light.

Alternatively, you can add artificial or natural plants. Your Chameleon will enjoy climbing on them, hiding in them, or sometimes munching on them (if they’re real).

Click here to find artificial plants.

What Heating And Lighting Do They Need?

Baby Veiled Chameleons need plenty of heat and lighting to thrive.

For example, the tank should be between 75 degrees F and 85 degrees F. There should also be a basking spot that can be about 95 to 100 degrees F during the day.

The basking spot should have a UVB light, which will give your Veiled Chameleon ample vitamin D, allowing them to digest their food correctly. This basking light should be on for at least 12 hours a day. 

At night, the enclosure can be more on the cooler side, but the temperature shouldn’t dip below 60 degrees F. A good temperature to keep at night will be a minimum of 65 degrees F.

What Do Baby Veiled Chameleons Eat?

Veiled Chameleons are omnivores and will eat a varied diet. For instance, they’ll eat insects for live protein, dark leafy greens, vegetables, and fruits.

However, a baby Veiled Chameleon diet will only consist of insects. They need live protein to grow and develop well.

For example, here’s a quick list of the following insects to use for feeding baby Veiled Chameleons:

• Crickets
• Flies
• Roaches
• Spiders
• Nontoxic Butterflies
• Nontoxic Grasshoppers

Make sure these insects are small. For instance, you want the insect to be smaller than your baby Veiled Chameleon’s head. Otherwise, it could be difficult for them to eat. 

Do They Need Supplements?

Yes, baby Veiled Chameleons do need supplements.

Since they only eat insects, they might not get enough calcium they need to thrive. So, you can provide them with calcium supplements.

Providing supplements for your Veiled Chameleon is simple enough. For example, you can get accessories from your local pet store and sprinkle calcium powder over their food.

Alternatively, you can gut-load the insects with vegetables and dark leafy greens. Thus, your baby Veiled Chameleon will get extra calcium (and other nutrients) when they eat the insects.

How Much Do They Eat?

You’ll want to provide your baby Veiled Chameleon with as much food as they can consume within five minutes of each meal.

Otherwise, your baby Veiled Chameleon might end up overeating, and it will take them longer to digest their food. This is not good for them.

How Often To Feed A Baby Veiled Chameleon

Since they should only have enough to eat within five minutes, how often should you provide food for them?

Baby Veiled Chameleons need to eat often within their first six months. This is when they grow and develop the fastest.

So, expect to feed them at least two to three times per day. However, how often you feed them will also depend on their size.

If you’re unsure, it’s a good idea to consult with your vet.

How To Feed A Baby Veiled Chameleon

You can feed your baby Veiled Chameleon in a few different ways.

First, you can try hand-feeding them. Veiled Chameleons don’t like to be handled much and prefer to be alone, but this is a great bonding moment for the two of you. Also, they’ll get used to you being a safe person and not a threat.

Second, you can try free-ranging the food. For example, place one or two insects inside their enclosure in different spots. Your baby Veiled Chameleon’s hunting instincts will kick in, and they’ll catch their food.

This particular way is great because it allows your Veiled Chameleon to get enrichment, mental stimulation, and exercise.

Finally, you can simply place the food inside a cup. The cup should be at least eight ounces and tall so that the insects won’t be able to hop or climb out.

Also, the cup should be opaque so that your Veiled Chameleon can’t see through it unless they’re looking down upon it. Otherwise, they might smack their tongue into the side of the cup, trying to get to the insects, injuring their tongue.

Click here to read our full guide to feeding a Baby Chameleon.

How To Feed Water To A Baby Veiled Chameleon?

Did you know that Veiled Chameleons don’t drink standing water? You could leave a shallow water dish in their enclosure, but they most likely won’t do anything with it.

Instead, you’ll want to install a drip system or mister inside their habitat.

The misting will increase the humidity inside their tank and drink water droplets from plants. The drip system will have the same effect, but it’ll be constant.

Learn more about drip systems here.

How Much Do Baby Veiled Chameleons Sleep?

Veiled Chameleons are diurnal, so they’ll be active the same as you during the day. They’ll also go to sleep around the same time as you or whenever you turn off their basking light.

These quiet creatures will sleep for a good 12 hours every night, especially in the warmer months. However, they might sleep for about 13 or 14 hours a day during the colder months. 

How Often Do Baby Veiled Chameleons Shed Their Skin?

Don’t worry if you notice your baby Veiled Chameleon shedding their skin. This is an entirely normal process.

In fact, baby Veiled Chameleons shed their skin often. They grow the fastest during their first six months of living, and shedding their skin helps them thrive.

So, you can expect your baby Veiled Chameleon to shed their skin quite often.

Final Tips For Baby Veiled Chameleon Care

Before you go to your local pet store and bring home a baby Veiled Chameleon, here are some final tips for caring for this reptile.

Do Veiled Chameleons Prefer To Be Alone?

Yes, Veiled Chameleons are solitary creatures.

For example, you don’t want to house two Veiled Chameleons together.

For instance, two males will become territorial and fight one another. In addition, a male and a female may try to mate or be aggressive with one another. Finally, two females could also become territorial with one another.

Do Veiled Chameleons Make Good Pets?

The short answer is yes. Veiled Chameleons do make good pets.

However, you want to research all you can about Veiled Chameleons before deciding to get one.

They do make excellent pets because they’re quiet and calm. Veiled Chameleons keep to themselves and are relatively low-maintenance to care for once you get the hang of taking care of them.

For example, as long as you’re feeding them well and their housing is correct, you shouldn’t have an issue with this pet.

Also, even though they prefer to be alone, Veiled Chameleons are a great first pet for beginners and children. It’s a great opportunity to teach about responsibility, as long as the Chameleon isn’t handled too much. 

Research Veiled Chameleon Body Language

Speaking of being handled too much, you’ll want to get to know the body language of your Veiled Chameleon. As that’s how they’ll speak to you.

For instance, if they’re feeling aggressive, stressed, or scared, they might hiss at you or even bite you. But, on the other hand, they could bite you because they’re hungry and mistake your finger for food.

Luckily, Veiled Chameleons don’t bite unless they feel the need to. So, that’s why you’ll need to learn how to tell what your reptile is feeling.

For example, if they change to a darker color, hide, or stare you down, they could be wary about your presence.

Move slowly and show them you’re not a threat. 

Veiled Chameleon Health Issues

Finally, Veiled Chameleons are prone to some health issues. If they don’t get the proper care they need through ample lighting and heat, nutrition, and the like, your baby Veiled Chameleon could become sick.

For example, they can have calcium or vitamin D deficiencies, resulting in metabolic bone disease. Also, they’re known to have respiratory issues or vision problems. 

Conclusion

Overall, Veiled Chameleons are a delight to have at home. You can have them as a pet if you’re a beginner or have children.

However, if you’re going to raise a Veiled Chameleon from a baby, be prepared for their rapid growth. Also, make sure they have all they need to thrive when growing and so they can develop well. 

Learn more about Chameleons here or click here to read a full guide to what Baby Chameleons eat. You can also click here to learn what Chameleons need. Want to know if you can hold your Chameleon? Click here.