Hiding in the green with Chameleons!

So you want to care for a chameleon? Chameleons make excellent pets, but owning a chameleon is not simple. It takes much responsibility and you need to set some time aside for it. Find out what kind you should get and the requirements for caring for one.

[edit] Steps

Pick a species of chameleon you want to get. Each species require more or less care than others. Some survive on there basic needs. An easier species to take care of is a Veilded, Jackson's, or Panther Chameleon. It is recommended to buy a chameleon at an age of 3-8 weeks. If you are new to this, buy a chameleon at an age older than 6 weeks.
Buy a chameleon. You must have the time and space to take care of your chameleon. A 6-8 week old chameleon can be easily put in a reptarium. Make sure you can maintain a reptarium. Consider putting some real plants and fake plants, climbing limbs, and proper lighting. Your enclosure should change temperatures so the enclosure can heat up your chameleon or cool it down. Chameleons need a temperature at a certain humidity level. Get good quality full spectrum UVA/UVB lights. It helps to produce vitamin D for absorbing calcium. Have someone take care of your chameleon during vacations or a period of time when you are unable to take care of it.
Feed your chameleon. Chameleons eat insects so feed it with crickets or other types of bugs. You can buy them at your local pet store. If there is no local pet store then you can always purchase them online or by phone. Feed your chameleon different types of insects like wax worms, meal worms, super worms,flies, moth, and grasshoppers. Try fruit flies for younger chameleons. Keep a close eye on your Chameleons eating habits so you can predict how much it may eat. Be careful of any changes in there eating habit.
Give your chameleon water. There is more then one way to give your chameleon water. Use a drip system. Try using a Plastic cup. Take a cup and make a hole at the bottom of it and fill it with water. Place it on top of your enclosure. Buy a commercial drip system. Spray or mist your chameleon. You can use a spray bottle. You can buy one at any store. Spray the water on the leaves in your enclosure. Chameleons usually drink off the leaves. Make sure the water is hot. Don't make it too hot though. Buy a pressure sprayer if you like. Get them at your local hardware store. It lets you spray a very good mist. Buy an automatic misting system, but they cost a lot and are hard to set up. Manually give your chameleon water by using oral syringe or rodent bottle. Use a syringe without a needle. Get it at a local pharmacy. Drop straight into your chameleons mouth, but sometimes it doesn't want to drink at that moment. Try next time and maybe it will. A rodent bottle is similar ,but has a ball tip so it can attract a chameleon toward it. Make sure there it is fresh water in it. Empty and dry out after each use.
Interacting with your chameleon isn't needed. Chameleons can be more aggressive from a lot of interaction. Feeding your chameleon by hand is a good way to interact so it won't be as aggressive toward you.
Keep your enclosure clean. Remove any dead things at the bottom or else parasites and bacteria will come. Remove the chameleon from the enclosure so it won't be disturbed. Create a cleaning solution using water, dish soap, and bleach. Spray on the walls, floors, and anything like fake plants, not the real plants. Use a paper towel to clean and dry off. Mist your enclosure and ,again, dry off with a clean paper towel.

[edit] Tips

Ask question about your chameleon from whoever you are buying it from. The salesperson will more information and will help you.
An aquarium is acceptable for a young chameleon, but you may want to buy a reptarium for better air circulation. A 4 month old chameleon may need a bigger enclosure.
Keep a thermometer in your enclosure so you can check the temperature of it.
Put some fake vines in your enclosure.
If your chameleon seems to be choking on insects, give them smaller ones instead.
Feed your insects well with potatoes, cabbage, carrots, fish flake, low fat kitten chow, bee pollen, and potato flakes. Feed your insects well so you can feed your chameleon well.
Chameleons aren't that friendly so don't be sad if it seems it doesn't like you much.
If your chameleon seems to be sick, here [1]are some common sickness that may occur.

[edit] Warnings

Wild chameleons are harder to take care of and may have parasites or diseases.
Too much water can cause problems for your chameleon.
Larger winged insects are harder to digest for a chameleon.
Make sure the spray bottle you are using wasn't used already like from a hair product. This can be fatal to your pet. Buy a new one from any store and clean it out.
Avoid using screw in lights. If you don't use full spectrum lights your chameleon might get Metabolic Bone Disease.
Wild insects may have pesticides.
Don't force your chameleon out of the cage or anything else. It may anger it.
Don't touch the chameleon's back. This can also anger it.