Veiled chameleon enclosure setup
The veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) is a sun and shade basker from a tropical habitat. Here is what its enclosure needs, and a plan sized to yours.
The care card
- Adult minimum
- 24 x 24 x 48 in
- Recommended
- 36 x 24 x 48 in
- Basking surface
- 85 to 95°F
- Cool side
- 72 to 80°F
- Night, lowest
- 60°F
- Humidity
- 40 to 70%
- UV zone
- 3 of 4
- Substrate
- tropical, 3 in deep or more
What keepers get wrong
- Chameleons drink droplets, not standing water: an automatic mister or dripper is part of the setup.
- A screen or hybrid enclosure keeps air moving; stale wet air causes respiratory infections.
- Dense live plants (pothos, schefflera, ficus) are the cover it needs to feel safe.
Common enclosures
Plan your veiled chameleon enclosure
Your enclosure size, your top and your room. It is drawn with its lights as you go.
The inside is drawn on your planWhich tube and how far it sits, how high the basking spot goes, which bulbs, how much soil, and where everything goes.
Your enclosure, at your size. The layout, the lights and every measurement are what your plan is for.
Your setup plan
A plan for your enclosure
- The UVB tube and how far it sits from your animal's back
- The basking height, the halogens and the thermostat for your room
- The soil in quarts, the drainage, plants, hides and cleanup crew
- The build in order, and what to check before it moves in
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The veiled chameleon shelf
The parts your plan names most. Your plan says which tube, how many bulbs and how much soil, for your enclosure.
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Light
UVB for the bones, a halogen for the basking spot.
Heat control
A thermostat on every heat source, and the tools to read it.
- Lucky Herp PID dimming thermostatHolds the basking surface steady by dimming the halogen. Never run a heat lamp without one. Check the current price →
- Etekcity 774 infrared thermometerReads the basking surface itself, which a probe in the air cannot. Check the current price →
- Aquaneat thermometer and hygrometerAir temperature and humidity at a glance. Check the current price →
Ground
A living substrate, mixed for dry or humid species.