Anchieta's chameleon (Chamaeleo anchietae)

Short answers

Anchieta's chameleon: How big does the enclosure need to be?

50×50×80 cm for one animal — airflow matters more than a tight seal.

Anchieta's chameleon: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–30 °C, basking spot Basking spot 31–34 °C, at night 16–20 °C.

Anchieta's chameleon: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 5.0–6.0).

Anchieta's chameleon: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 4–8 years.

Anchieta's chameleon: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–30 °C

Night temperature

16–20 °C

Basking spot

Basking spot 31–34 °C

Humidity

45–65 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 5.0–6.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

50×50×80 cm for one animal — airflow matters more than a tight seal

Substrate

Forest-floor substrate with live plants, dense branchwork

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, roaches and flies 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

Angola (Huíla, Mossamedes/Namibe), southern DR Congo (Marungu Plateau, Kivu, Katanga), Tanzania, Malawi

Protection status

CITES II — proof of origin required

Brumation

No winter rest; cooler in winter

Cohabitation

Strictly single — chameleons are not group animals. The reason: several males fight over territory and basking spot until one is injured or permanently confined to a corner. This applies to both sexes: two females don't work together either. Chameleons do not seek company, and an animal that constantly sees another eats less and becomes ill.

Notes

A dry-forest species, 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 →

Look for Anchieta's chameleon (Chamaeleo anchietae) in the marketplace →

Related species

• African chameleon (Chamaeleo africanus) – 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 Anchieta's chameleon (Chamaeleo anchietae) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (50×50×80 cm for one animal — airflow matters more than a tight seal), substrate (Forest-floor substrate with live plants, dense branchwork), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.