Affinis chameleon (Trioceros affinis)

Short answers

Affinis chameleon: How big does the enclosure need to be?

60×60×120 cm for one animal — height and airflow, not a closed glass tank.

Affinis chameleon: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–26 °C, basking spot about 30 °C, a small basking spot in the upper third, at night 10–15 °C; a marked night-time drop is essential.

Affinis chameleon: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 5.0–6.0).

Affinis chameleon: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 4–8 years.

Affinis chameleon: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–26 °C

Night temperature

10–15 °C; a marked night-time drop is essential

Basking spot

about 30 °C, a small basking spot in the upper third

Humidity

let it dry out during the day, high up to near 100 % at night

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

15–20 cm

Life expectancy

4–8 years

Origin

Ethiopia — montane forest of the Ethiopian highlands, in and around coffee plantations, often above 2,500 m altitude

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 highland species that tolerates warmth very badly. Rare in the trade.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

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Related species

• Bale two-horned chameleon (Trioceros balebicornutus) – Expert
• Usambara three-horned chameleon (Trioceros deremensis) – Intermediate to expert
• Elliot's chameleon (Trioceros ellioti) – Intermediate
• Fea's chameleon (Trioceros feae) – Expert
• Goetze's chameleon (Trioceros goetzei) – Expert
• Harenna chameleon (Trioceros harennae) – Expert
• Von Höhnel's chameleon (Trioceros hoehnelii) – Intermediate
• Hornless chameleon (Trioceros incornutus) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Affinis chameleon (Trioceros affinis) 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.