The title of this article might tell you that you have to go out and get a chameleon as soon as possible. The fact of the matter is that while it is true that chameleons make excellent pets for some people, they don’t work for everyone. They do need a bit more care compared to other animal species.

Let’s see what makes chameleons so appreciated. First off, one thing that we have to make clear right off the bat is that they are not companion pets such as cats and dogs. They’re interesting to watch, without a doubt, but they won’t respond to stimuli such as you petting them.

Taking care of a chameleon has to involve a little research. What this means is that you should go online and look for forums where chameleon owners have talks about how they maintain the proper temperature inside the tanks they use for their pets, or the type of drippers they’ve bought, and anything else.

Part of the maintenance process you will have to deal with involves getting the best cage for a chameleon. Because these pets have certain living specifics, you cannot keep them on the couch, as you would with a doggy that chooses wherever he or she wants to sleep. Given that reptiles are cold-blooded animals, they need an external source of heat. We recommend UVB fluorescent bulbs as they emit enough heat to keep the pet comfortable. Bear in mind that the amount of heat can be customized with some systems.

You can decorate the terrarium as you wish, but it is important to provide a hiding space for your pet. Several bigger real or artificial branches along with some leaves might be able to do the trick.

Chameleons might not be the perfect alternative if you are looking for a pet for your kids. On the one hand, some kids might not be able to understand or could be just too curious to leave the animal alone, which is why they might want to touch it and try to open the terrarium constantly. We all know how accidents can happen when a kid and an animal are involved. That’s why you should definitely consider investing your money in a good pet insurance that will help your pet stay healthy.

As for whether or not this kind of reptile makes a good pet, we believe it does. However, it is important to note that the owner has to assume the responsibility of taking care of it for at least two to five years. The lifespan of a chameleon depends on the type you’re getting, its size, living conditions, and a variety of other factors that owners might not be able to control. Moreover, something that tends to bother various people is the fact that they have to clean the enclosure on a regular basis. Keep that in mind, too, if you want to make sure that your chameleon lives happily and in a safe environment that poses no risks to its health.