Yemen Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus)

🧬 1. Appearance and characteristics

Size:
– Males reach a total length of approximately 45–60cm, with the tail making up a significant part of the length.
– Females tend to be smaller, often 30–45cm.

Identification features:
– A characteristic "helmet" on the head, especially pronounced in males.
– It has a dorsal crest and structures on its body that aid in visual displays and thermoregulation.
– The color can vary from green to brownish and darker shades, depending on mood, temperature and health.

Daily rhythm:
– It is diurnal — active during the day.

🌍 2. Origin and habitat

In nature, it inhabits dry to semi-desert areas of Yemen and southwestern Saudi Arabia, often in bushes and low trees, where the environment is warm, sunny and there are plenty of insects.

🏡 3. Terrarium and Environment Requirements
📏 Terrarium Type

Vertical, well-ventilated — ideally a screen/mesh terrarium, not a closed glass tank to avoid humidity and air breathing problems.

📐 Size

Adults: minimum 60×60×120cm (2'×2'×4') or more — "the bigger the better".

☀️ Temperature and Light

Basking (heating area): 32–35°C

Daytime temperature: ~24–28°C

Nighttime temperature: 18–22°C (can drop even lower)

UVB Lighting:
– Absolutely essential — a 10–12% UVB lamp (e.g. T5 HO) with a ~10–12 hour day cycle is recommended to support vitamin D3 synthesis and calcium absorption.

💧 Humidity and hydration

Humidity: 60–80% (a higher humidity environment reduces the risk of molting problems).

Chameleons do not drink from a bowl — they obtain drinking water from water droplets on leaves and through a nest or dripper.

🪴 Decor and shelters

Branches and live plants (e.g. pothos, ficus) for climbing and hiding.

They also provide a sense of security and enrich the environment.

🍽️ 4. Diet and nutrition

The Yemeni chameleon is primarily insectivorous.

🦗 Basic diet

Live insects: crickets, locusts, cockroaches, silkworms, calciworms.

Feeding:
– Young: daily.
– Adults: every 1–2 days.

🧂 Supplements

Calcium without D3 at every feeding.

Calcium with D3 and multivitamins once a week or so.

Gut-loaded insects (fed with nutrients before feeding) are ideal.

🥬 Plant component

May occasionally take small amounts of leaves or fruit, but insects make up the majority of the diet.

🧠 5. Nature and behavior

Arboreal and territorial: lives mainly in trees and shrubs, often watches the surroundings with each eye independently.

Solitary: prefers solitary feeding — especially adult males tend to be beneficial in communal breeding due to rivalry and stress.

Handling: These chameleons are generally cautious and get stressed when picked up frequently — handle gently and minimally.

Color change: color reflects temperature, mood, stress or health status — not just camouflage, but also internal communication.

🩺 6. Health and Common Problems
🧠 Normal Health

A healthy chameleon is active, breathes easily, has clear eyes and a stable appetite, without abnormal discharge or reduced mobility.

⚠️ Common Health Problems and Symptoms
🦴 Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD)

Cause: UVB and calcium deficiency.

Signs: weak limbs, shell deformities, tremors, lethargy.

Prevention: quality UVB and proper supplementation.

🫁 Respiratory Infections

Caused by: poor ventilation, too high humidity or low temperatures.

Signs: labored breathing, mucus in the nostrils, sneezing.

Measures: optimize the environment and consult a veterinarian if symptoms occur.

🐛 Gastrointestinal Problems

Bacterial or parasitic infections: signs may include abnormal stools, loss of appetite or lethargy.

Solution: veterinary examination.

🩹 Stress and dehydration

Stress is very variable — it will manifest itself as a darker color, closing of the eyes or loss of appetite in severe cases.

Hydration through laying and drip is essential to prevent eye and skin problems.

🧬 7. Reproduction

Sexual maturity: around 6–12 months (varies according to conditions and size).

Signs: females can be gravid gradually and lay multiple eggs in one clutch (e.g. 20–70).

Incubation conditions: eggs are calmly incubated in the substrate at a controlled temperature — this requires experience, as the length of incubation and success depend on temperature and humidity.

⚖️ 8. Advantages and disadvantages of breeding
💚 Advantages

✔ Visually fascinating species — changes color, observes the world around it with eyes that rotate independently.
✔ Arboreal lifestyle — interesting to watch its climbing and behavior.
✔ Some individuals tolerate occasional handling — with a gentle approach.

💔 Disadvantages

✘ Higher environmental and light requirements — UVB, ventilation and hydration are key.
✘ Sensitive to stress and environmental changes — incorrect conditions quickly lead to health problems.
✘ Single-housed usually necessary — multiple individuals in one cage can lead to stress and conflict.
✘ Diet requires live insects and supplementation — a must for health.