Hi and welcome.
Yes, that is a chameleon, but I’ve no idea what type which will help to determine specifics about care. Where did you find it?
There are some things that are basic for all captive chameleons. They need uvb. The standard is a linear T5HO fixture with either ReptiSun 5.0 or Arcadia 6% bulb. They also need a heat source for which we need to provide a basking light. This is a simple (usually a dome) fixture with an incandescent or halogen bulb. They need a large and tall enclosure. For most chameleons the minimum is 2x2x4’. The enclosure needs lots of safe live plants and lots of branches and vines. You want to simulate a tree basically. Supplements are another essential part of care. A phosphorus free calcium without D3 is usually used for all/most feedings and then a multivitamin and calcium with D3 are used each once or twice a month, depending on species.
Then of course you’ll need to spray the leaves of the plants for about 2 minutes, twice a day to provide drinking water. Chameleons do not drink from bowls, but rather lap up water off leaves. Chameleons only eat live insects. In order for the insects to be nutritious, you need to keep them well fed. Attaching graphics for you. Very important is the size of the feeder needs to be smaller than the space between the eyes. It’s very easy to overfeed, which can lead to problems - obesity for all and producing too many eggs for females. Generally for adults giving 3-4 appropriately sized feeders every other day or 3 days a week is more than enough. Yes, even if a female hasn’t even seen a male she will produce and lay eggs every few months. Of course if not mated they will be infertile. I have no idea if you have a female or not. As you’ve found this animal, a veterinary exam and fecal check for parasites really should be done. Specifics as to ideal temperature, humidity level and other items are species specific and so I can’t help with that. Perhaps
@kinyonga can.
Chameleons are not inexpensive animals to get set up for and keep properly. Nor are they easy to care for. If all of their needs are not met, they quickly become I’ll and die, often with little to no warning. If you are somewhere in the world where this chameleon is native, you may want to release it back where you found it. If you choose to keep it, we’ll help all we can.
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everyone is great and will do what they can to get you on your way to enjoying life with a cham if you decide to keep it. They do cause a lot of worry, stress, and financial heartache but in the end it’s all worth it to watch them and enjoy their presence.
