How can you tell the age of a chameleon?

[dhm198555]

Hey all!

So, i'm starting to suspect my little rescue male, Takini, is a bit older then the kid I got him from had told me.

Supposedly he's only 2 years old but I swear when I look at him moving around and whatnot I can't help but feel like I'm looking at an old man.

Is there anyway to tell how roundabout old a cham is?

However old he is he's got a forever place here with us, my little girl is FASCINATED with how he eats. Scared the crap outta her the first time she saw him shoot his tongue which was immediately followed by a fit of giggles.

Thanks!

 

[sm0lder]

I'd like to know too. My friends daughter bought a chameleon from a pet shop and after a month or two she realized that chameleons aren't exactly like dogs or cats with affection. They asked me if I wanted it and after a lot of research I said yes. I am very happy with my decision but I would like to know how old he is. My guess is less than a year and more than six months...

 

[camimom]

If you post photos of the chameleon on your hands, those of us who have that species and know the real age of ours, can tell you.

 

[sm0lder]

 

[ChrisZ]

We need to see a picture of the chameleon to tell you how old he is but I think you never know for sure because an healthy chameleon will look younger and a sick chameleon will look much older.. Also depends on what species it is

Edit: The chameleon you just posted seems to be like 9months old IF he had the proper care. Without the proper care he could be 1year+ aswell.

 

[camimom]

Your boy looks to be around 10-11 months old, maybe a year old max.

He's still got some growing to do. they can continue to grow until they are 2 years old.

 

[sm0lder]

My guess was ten months, so at least I was in the ball park. The former owner kept him in a 10gal aquarium with an unpotted plant. No UV light just a basic spot heat lamp. She didn't know what she was doing which is why she gave him to me. Not that I have any experience with reptiles but I heavily researched it before taking it on. Thanks for the help with the age, I'll treat him as a ten month old and go from there.

 

[camimom]

My guess was ten months, so at least I was in the ball park. The former owner kept him in a 10gal aquarium with an unpotted plant. No UV light just a basic spot heat lamp. She didn't know what she was doing which is why she gave him to me. Not that I have any experience with reptiles but I heavily researched it before taking it on. Thanks for the help with the age, I'll treat him as a ten month old and go from there.

He looks good for having been in those poor conditions.

 

[dhm198555]

Well, here's a pic of me holding Takini, any thoughts? His nails are quite long and yellowed as well and when I look into his eyes I swear they have that "aged" look. He seems to move a bit slower than normal chams move and is a bit "stiff" too, actually reminds me a lot of an elderly male veiled I had years ago, but that could all be from his still recovering from his horrible ordeal with the previous owner.

Anyway, that's a beautiful veiled you have there! So glad he found someone to care for him properly before he suffered any consequences from improper husbandry. My boy is a rescue too. Kudos!

 

[Texas Panther Man]

He looks to be over 3 yrs but that could also be because of improper husbandry and poor gutloading of insects. Def over two yrs though.