Once we get our chameleon cage set up and our chameleon is showing signs that they like the cage we get a boost of confidence. Good job! We know there is always room for improvement and we will always be learning, but once our chameleon has accepted the cage we have offered to it we can spare a moment to feel good about it!
In that moment it is common for keepers to be ready for the next step. You got the cage basics of cage, lights, mister, fogger, and plants. You have put the cage together like the care guides or your breeder said to and you are wondering what the next step is. The question for this week’s blog entry is what are the next steps, after setting up the cage properly, for the chameleon keeper to go to? Here are my picks for the next steps for chameleon keepers.
Step 1: Get a Solarmeter 6.5 UVB meter
My first step is to invest in a Solarmeter 6.5. This is the UVB meter that will allow you to measure the output of your UVB lights which are, of course, invisible to our eyes. And, by the way, the light that comes off of them is not the UVB light! Other wavelengths are produced as well. Your UVB light will still be producing visible light long after it was stopped producing UVB light. Being able to dial in your chameleon’s UVB exposure is a husbandry basic. The cost is about $225 but you could easily argue that the savings in not replacing UVB lights until they truly need to be replaced would make up for that cost.
Action Item: Get a Solarmeter 6.5 as soon as you are able to. Amazon link is here: SolarMeter 6.5 UVB meter
(This is an affiliate link)
Step 2: Get a microscope!
There is so much that we can tell about our chameleon’s health by doing fecal samples. This is how we can get early warning of a parasite problem way before the infection causes a health problem. And treating early is the way to make sure your chameleon is processing the medicine while still strong and can deal with the dead parasite bodies in a manageable number. Many people are surprised how many captive hatched chameleons have parasites. They don’t find out until it is too late. I feel so strongly about this step that I created a digital course to teach Chameleon keepers how to get set-up and perform their own fecals called Hunting Microscopic Parasites.
Action Item: For directly relevant training in doing efecal tests for your chameleon at home, click here to get more information about the digital course Hunting Microscopic Chameleon Parasites.
Step 3: Breed a feeder
You get a valuable insight and capability when you breed your own feeders. First, you have constant supply no matter if it is snowing outside, blazing hot, or a pandemic surprises us all. Whenever there are extreme temperatures we can count on people panicking because they can’t get feeders to their doorstep. If you breed your own this is not a worry. You can easily ride out any issue. Second, you are in full control over how healthy the feeders are by how you feed and take care of them. Crickets, superworms and Dubia roaches are good candidates that are relatively easy to raise.
Action Item: Pick a feeder, research its care and breeding, and bring in a starter colony!
Step 4: Go to Madagascar
A great step to take is to travel to see chameleons in the natural habitat. There is no substitute for seeing how chameleons live in the wild. You can study the numbers all you want (and, you should), but it doesn’t really give you the full understanding until you are standing right there looking at a chameleon on a tree in Madagascar and you are feeling what it feels like. You get a deep understanding of the relationship between temperature and humidity where it is important.
Action Item: If you are interested in learning more about going to Madagascar with the Chameleon Academy, the best place to stay in touch is the newsletter. The 2025 trip is full, but we will open up discussion for the 2026 trip at the end of January 2025. You will be notified through the weekly newsletter. Click here to join: Chameleon Academy Newsletter
Wait a minute...where is breeding a chameleon?
Just a note, you will notice that I conspicuously left off breeding as a next step. As much as I love raising baby chameleons, this was a deliberate choice. There is so much that goes into doing a breeding project correctly I have walked back from recommending it as a project to aspire to. You could go your whole chameleon loving life without breeding and be totally satisfied! I know breeding is a common leving-up choice for people, but I chose to leave it off. We were all obsessed with breeding as we developed the chameleon community. I think we can shift focus now!
Action Item: Don't jump into breeding until you have explored the other ways to grow your husbandry skills. And, then, jump into breeding with full awareness of what it takes to do it correctly.
Now, there is no way around it that these next step projects require money, study, and/or regular attention and maintenance. But you are now to the level where any forward progress in the art of chameleon herpetoculture will take effort. Congratulations! There is work involved, but the rewards are huge!
What is your experience?
What was your “next step” project/advancement?
What “next step” project would you recommend for someone ready to step up?
Thank you for dropping by for a discussion!
Bill
Multi-Media Resources
Note: This topic is reviewed in both a YouTube video and a podcast episode. The video and podcast are separately produced and will provide different perspectives. Watch the video to get the main points. Listen to the podcast to relax and listen to backstory, details, and different perspectives. Both of these, as well as the text of the episode are available on the show notes page here:
Level up your husbandry Show Notes page
In that moment it is common for keepers to be ready for the next step. You got the cage basics of cage, lights, mister, fogger, and plants. You have put the cage together like the care guides or your breeder said to and you are wondering what the next step is. The question for this week’s blog entry is what are the next steps, after setting up the cage properly, for the chameleon keeper to go to? Here are my picks for the next steps for chameleon keepers.
Step 1: Get a Solarmeter 6.5 UVB meter
My first step is to invest in a Solarmeter 6.5. This is the UVB meter that will allow you to measure the output of your UVB lights which are, of course, invisible to our eyes. And, by the way, the light that comes off of them is not the UVB light! Other wavelengths are produced as well. Your UVB light will still be producing visible light long after it was stopped producing UVB light. Being able to dial in your chameleon’s UVB exposure is a husbandry basic. The cost is about $225 but you could easily argue that the savings in not replacing UVB lights until they truly need to be replaced would make up for that cost.
Action Item: Get a Solarmeter 6.5 as soon as you are able to. Amazon link is here: SolarMeter 6.5 UVB meter
(This is an affiliate link)
Step 2: Get a microscope!
There is so much that we can tell about our chameleon’s health by doing fecal samples. This is how we can get early warning of a parasite problem way before the infection causes a health problem. And treating early is the way to make sure your chameleon is processing the medicine while still strong and can deal with the dead parasite bodies in a manageable number. Many people are surprised how many captive hatched chameleons have parasites. They don’t find out until it is too late. I feel so strongly about this step that I created a digital course to teach Chameleon keepers how to get set-up and perform their own fecals called Hunting Microscopic Parasites.
Action Item: For directly relevant training in doing efecal tests for your chameleon at home, click here to get more information about the digital course Hunting Microscopic Chameleon Parasites.
Step 3: Breed a feeder
You get a valuable insight and capability when you breed your own feeders. First, you have constant supply no matter if it is snowing outside, blazing hot, or a pandemic surprises us all. Whenever there are extreme temperatures we can count on people panicking because they can’t get feeders to their doorstep. If you breed your own this is not a worry. You can easily ride out any issue. Second, you are in full control over how healthy the feeders are by how you feed and take care of them. Crickets, superworms and Dubia roaches are good candidates that are relatively easy to raise.
Action Item: Pick a feeder, research its care and breeding, and bring in a starter colony!
Step 4: Go to Madagascar
A great step to take is to travel to see chameleons in the natural habitat. There is no substitute for seeing how chameleons live in the wild. You can study the numbers all you want (and, you should), but it doesn’t really give you the full understanding until you are standing right there looking at a chameleon on a tree in Madagascar and you are feeling what it feels like. You get a deep understanding of the relationship between temperature and humidity where it is important.
Action Item: If you are interested in learning more about going to Madagascar with the Chameleon Academy, the best place to stay in touch is the newsletter. The 2025 trip is full, but we will open up discussion for the 2026 trip at the end of January 2025. You will be notified through the weekly newsletter. Click here to join: Chameleon Academy Newsletter
Wait a minute...where is breeding a chameleon?
Just a note, you will notice that I conspicuously left off breeding as a next step. As much as I love raising baby chameleons, this was a deliberate choice. There is so much that goes into doing a breeding project correctly I have walked back from recommending it as a project to aspire to. You could go your whole chameleon loving life without breeding and be totally satisfied! I know breeding is a common leving-up choice for people, but I chose to leave it off. We were all obsessed with breeding as we developed the chameleon community. I think we can shift focus now!
Action Item: Don't jump into breeding until you have explored the other ways to grow your husbandry skills. And, then, jump into breeding with full awareness of what it takes to do it correctly.
Now, there is no way around it that these next step projects require money, study, and/or regular attention and maintenance. But you are now to the level where any forward progress in the art of chameleon herpetoculture will take effort. Congratulations! There is work involved, but the rewards are huge!
What is your experience?
What was your “next step” project/advancement?
What “next step” project would you recommend for someone ready to step up?
Thank you for dropping by for a discussion!
Bill
Multi-Media Resources
Note: This topic is reviewed in both a YouTube video and a podcast episode. The video and podcast are separately produced and will provide different perspectives. Watch the video to get the main points. Listen to the podcast to relax and listen to backstory, details, and different perspectives. Both of these, as well as the text of the episode are available on the show notes page here:
Level up your husbandry Show Notes page
