Life Style and Expectancy
One of the more interesting chameleon facts, is that around the world approximately 160 varieties of chameleons exist. Most reside within tropical locations. All species have a few basics in common, such as the ability to move both eyes independently of each other. The varieties come in a wide variance of colors, but all can alter their coloration to blend into their surrounding locations. This provides the lizards with a camouflage to help protect against would-be predators, and it also makes hunting for food easier because they can blend into their surroundings. The change in coloration happens naturally and does not occur at the will of the chameleon. The life cycle of a chameleon is relatively short. Females average five years and males often live up to eight years.
Reproduction
The chameleon’s life cycle begins within the hardened shell of an egg. Once the chameleon hatches, it depends upon itself for survival with no paternal or maternal help. At approximately five months of age it reaches sexual maturity. The male and female chameleon mate quickly and than the male goes about his business. The female will mate up to three times per year and lay up to three batches of eggs after each mating. After each mating the coloration of the female chameleon changes.
After a 30 day gestation period the female begins to dig a hole in the moist sand to lay her eggs. Each female lays 30 to 85 eggs. The eggs take six months to gestate before hatching.
Life in the Wild
The chameleon spends the majority of its life in a wild habitat up in the tree canopies; it basks in the sunlight and pursues insect food. The chameleon eats a widely varied insect diet. It also enjoys the humidity and moisture of its tropical homeland. Their unique life in the wild makes it difficult to truly keep a chameleon as a healthy and happy pet. The lizard requires elevated humidity, warmth, a diverse diet and lighting that provides them with adequate proper UVA and UVB levels. If the right balance is not achieved the chameleon will die or have a shortened life span.
A solitary animal, the chameleon spends its entire live cycle alone except to mate. They are extremely territorial, and guard their area fiercely. In captivity the chameleon does best when kept alone. Trying to keep two chameleons in one enclosure can dramatically shorten the lizard’s life span. It will cease eating and spend most of its day fighting with the invading chameleon for territory.
Considerations
During the chameleon’s life it is not a friendly pet – it does not enjoy being handled or touched. Being handled too much can stress the lizard out and it may become sick or die. A stressed out chameleon will cease eating may starve to death. Chameleons have aggressive personalities toward humans and will hiss when approached.
The life cycle of a chameleon in the wild will last a normal duration, but chameleons in captivity often perish young due to inadequate care, stress or the simply depression and boredom of captivity.