Description

The Yemen or Veiled Chameleon originate from Yemen and Saudi Arabia. They live in mountainous regions, and being arboreal lizards they spend their time climbing through branches. They capture their prey with a projectile tongue which has a sticky, mucus covered tip. Their eyes protrude and can move independently of each other, and they have a prehensile tail which helps them with climbing.

Housing

The Yemen Chameleon should be house in a arboreal vivarium which means it has more height for climbing rather that width. A vivarium of 36" high x 24" x 24" should be adequate for housing a single chameleon for a pair or a trio with only one male the vivarium should be no smaller than 48"high x 24"x24". The enclosure should provide lots of climbing branches and plants for the chameleon to hide amongst and feel safe. Any heat sources should have a guard on them to protect the chameleon from the bulb.

Lighting/Heating

The Yemen Chameleon does require uv-b lighting. This can be achieved in different ways in an arboreal vivarium. With the use of a fluorescent uv-b tube about a 5%, installed at an angle from one top corner of the vivarium to the opposite bottom corner of the vivarium. Another way is to use a uv-b compact light bulb which can hang from the top of the vivarium,The latter method is prefered as these animals are rarely on the ground. The temperature gradient of the enclosure should consist of a hot spot at the top of the vivarium and the cool end nearer the bottom of the vivarium, using a red heat bulb or ceramic heat bulb for the bigger vivarium so as not to disturb the animal at night. These should be run in conjunction with a dimming thermostat for the red bulb or a pulse thermostat for the ceramic bulb. Both bulbs, which ever you choose will need to have a heat guard covering them as chameleons as with all reptiles can not sense when they are being burned. A temperature of 85 - 100f needs to ascertained. Daily misting of the vivarium and plants should be done to help maintain humidity.

Diet

The Yemen Chameleon's diet consists of mainly insects such as crickets (black or brown) and hoppers. They occasionaly eat leaves, blossoms and fruits. The insects should be dusted with a calcium supplement powder and a suitable vitamin / mineral supplement.

General

Male chameleons are highly territorial and should never be housed together, even where they can see each other as this can cause stress. Males have spurs on the back of their legs just above their feet. These can be seen on them from even being a couple of days old. Males are more brightly coloured than females. These lizards do not enjoy being handled and are best kept for display.