Hatchlings are less than one inch SVL at hatching, and are barely bigger at one month. Young veileds will grow faster if kept in a large enclosure out of doors. Like opossums, it takes a considerable time until they feel secure enough to unfold and begin moving about again. Chameleons can be seen rubbing their rostrums against branches to loosen the skin on their faces. Shed skin is eaten by the chameleons.
Salt frequently cakes around the nostrils.
To help loosen the skin around the eyelids, chameleons, like iguanas, will puff out their eyelids several times their usual size. When the skin is ready to come off, they will rub the sides of their face and eyelids against branches to further loosen and remove the old skin. While this looks quite alarming, it is a normal behavior during this time. Able to grasp branches and the edges of leaves, it can also wrap its prehensile tail around branches and twigs for added stability. Chameleons are not fast-moving animals.