Adolf Friedrich's chameleon (Kinyongia adolfifriderici)
Chameleons · Difficulty: Expert
Key facts and care guidance for Adolf Friedrich's chameleon (Kinyongia adolfifriderici) (origin: Montane forests of the Albertine Rift at 1000–2200 m altitude: northern and eastern Congo, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi). Adult size around approx. 10–13 cm total length (snout–vent length 4.8–5.5 cm, tail about 1.3 times that). Life expectancy approx. 4–6 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Adolf Friedrich's chameleon: How big does the enclosure need to be?
60×60×120 cm for one animal — height and airflow, not a closed glass tank.
Adolf Friedrich's chameleon: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 20–26 °C, basking spot Basking spot 28–30 °C, no warmer, at night 12–17 °C.
Adolf Friedrich's chameleon: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Essential (UVB 5.0–6.0).
Adolf Friedrich's chameleon: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: approx. 4–6 years.
Adolf Friedrich's chameleon: Is it suitable for beginners?
No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 20–26 °C
- Night temperature
- 12–17 °C
- Basking spot
- Basking spot 28–30 °C, no warmer
- Humidity
- 60–85 %, mist morning and evening
- UVB
- Essential (UVB 5.0–6.0)
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 60×60×120 cm for one animal — height and airflow, not a closed glass tank
- Substrate
- Forest-floor substrate with live plants, dense branchwork at all heights
Feeding
- Food
- House crickets, crickets, roaches, flies and wax moths in rotation, dusted regularly with calcium and vitamins
- Feeding interval
- adults every other day
Key facts
- Adult size
- approx. 10–13 cm total length (snout–vent length 4.8–5.5 cm, tail about 1.3 times that)
- Life expectancy
- approx. 4–6 years
- Origin
- Montane forests of the Albertine Rift at 1000–2200 m altitude: northern and eastern Congo, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi
- Protection status
- CITES II — proof of origin required
- Brumation
- No winter rest; cooler in winter with a shorter photoperiod
- Cohabitation
- Strictly singly — chameleons are not group animals, and even being in sight of another is constant stress
Notes
A montane forest species with a short nasal appendage. It needs constant coolness.
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Related species
- Böhme's two-horned chameleon (Kinyongia boehmei) – Expert
- Carpenter's chameleon (Kinyongia carpenteri) – Expert
- Fischer's two-horned chameleon (Kinyongia fischeri) – Intermediate
- Taveta two-horned chameleon (Kinyongia tavetana) – Intermediate
- Magombera chameleon (Kinyongia magomberae) – Expert
- Matschie's two-horned chameleon (Kinyongia matschiei) – Intermediate
- Strange-nosed chameleon (Kinyongia xenorhina) – Expert
- Sharp-nosed chameleon (Kinyongia oxyrhina) – Intermediate
What you need to start
To keep Adolf Friedrich's chameleon (Kinyongia adolfifriderici) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60×60×120 cm for one animal — height and airflow, not a closed glass tank), substrate (Forest-floor substrate with live plants, dense branchwork at all heights), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 2 November 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: Wikipedia EN, reptile-database.reptarium.cz, academic.oup.com (Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 2017), EUR-Lex VO (EU) 2026/1383, bmleh.de (Gutachten Reptilien 1997)
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).