Chameleons manufacture vitamin D3 from exposure to natural sunlight and store it for future use. D3 is an essential vitamin used in the absorption of calcium. Without vitamin D3 in the diet, chameleons can suffer from Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD), a crippling disease that is irreversible. With that said, keeping chameleons indoors is still possible, but with artificial means in place.

To create an indoor setup, there are several considerations to bear in mind. One such consideration is the species you are working with and where it originates from. Your ultimate goal is to create an environment that can as closely as possible, resemble their natural habitat. If you are willing to invest time, research and resources to provide what is suitable, you can be successful.

Basking sites can be created using a spot lamp fixture and an incandescent light bulb. The wattage you use will depend on the size of enclosure and species you are working with. For large enclosures, more than one basking site may be required. You will need to provide the correct basking temperature your species needs. The only way to know whether or not the temperature range is adequate is by checking with a thermometer. One of the biggest problems in the proper care and maintenance of chameleons and other reptiles, is incorrect temperatures. You won't know unless you check, so please invest in an inexpensive thermometer. It's truly a necessity.