African chameleon (Chamaeleo africanus)

Short answers

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

100×80×150 cm (H), well ventilated.

African chameleon: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–32 °C, basking spot 35–40 °C, at night 16–20 °C.

African chameleon: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential.

African chameleon: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: ~5–8 years.

African chameleon: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–32 °C

Night temperature

16–20 °C

Basking spot

35–40 °C

Humidity

50–70 % (higher at night)

UVB

Essential

Enclosure

Minimum size

100×80×150 cm (H), well ventilated

Substrate

A soil and sand mix; an egg-laying site for the females

Feeding

Food

Locusts, crickets, roaches, large insects

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

total length on average 30–35 cm, large males up to 47 cm; about half of that is tail

Life expectancy

~5–8 years

Origin

The Sahel zone from Mauritania and Mali through Niger, Nigeria, Benin, Cameroon and the Central African Republic to Sudan and South Sudan, up the Nile as far as Egypt; plus a long-established introduced population in the southwest Peloponnese (Greece). Habitat consists of dry savanna, shrubs and trees, extending into reed beds.

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B — registration required

Brumation

Overwintering from November to January, lowering the temperature slowly to 10–14 °C

Cohabitation

Single housing (solitary animal). Chameleons are pronounced solitary animals, and mere visual contact with a conspecific already means chronic stress — an animal that is constantly threatening or fleeing eats less and becomes ill. For this reason, also separate neighbouring enclosures with a visual barrier.

Notes

A large savannah-dwelling species with a pronounced cool phase in winter. Strong ventilation and a high basking spot are needed; mist and offer water regularly.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for African chameleon (Chamaeleo africanus) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Anchieta's chameleon (Chamaeleo anchietae) – Intermediate
• Arabian chameleon (Chamaeleo arabicus) – Intermediate
• Graceful chameleon (Chamaeleo gracilis) – Intermediate
• Common chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) – Intermediate
• Smooth chameleon (Chamaeleo laevigatus) – Intermediate
• Indian chameleon (Chamaeleo zeylanicus) – Intermediate
• Veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) – Intermediate
• Flap-necked chameleon (Chamaeleo dilepis) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep African chameleon (Chamaeleo africanus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×80×150 cm (H), well ventilated), substrate (A soil and sand mix; an egg-laying site for the females), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.