Andringitra chameleon (Calumma andringitraense)

Short answers

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

60×60×120 cm for one animal — tall rather than wide, with large vents at top and bottom. Not a closed glass tank, but also not a pure mesh cage: that dries out a rainforest species too quickly indoors. Side panels should be opaque so there is no visual contact with other individuals.

Andringitra chameleon: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–25 °C, basking spot Basking spot 30–33 °C, at night 12–18 °C, a marked night-time drop.

Andringitra chameleon: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 5.0–6.0).

Andringitra chameleon: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 4–8 years.

Andringitra chameleon: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–25 °C

Night temperature

12–18 °C, a marked night-time drop

Basking spot

Basking spot 30–33 °C

Humidity

65–90 %, mist morning and evening

UVB

Essential (UVB 5.0–6.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

60×60×120 cm for one animal — tall rather than wide, with large vents at top and bottom. Not a closed glass tank, but also not a pure mesh cage: that dries out a rainforest species too quickly indoors. Side panels should be opaque so there is no visual contact with other individuals

Substrate

Forest-floor substrate with live plants and dense branches at all heights; for females, a 10–15 cm deep, diggable and lightly moist substrate layer for egg-laying

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

12–16 cm

Life expectancy

4–8 years

Origin

Southeast Madagascar: the Andringitra massif, Andohahela and the Kalambatritra reserve; intact humid montane forest, type locality at 1530 m altitude, total range only around 1220 km²

Protection status

CITES II, and Madagascar's export quota is zero for some species — insist on captive-bred animals

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 endemic; not to be expected 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 Andringitra chameleon (Calumma andringitraense) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Amber Mountain chameleon (Calumma ambreense) – Expert
• Side-striped chameleon (Calumma gastrotaenia) – Intermediate
• Amber Mountain chameleon (Calumma amber) – Intermediate to expert
• Boettger's chameleon (Calumma boettgeri) – Intermediate
• Capuron's chameleon (Calumma capuroni) – Expert
• Forked chameleon (Calumma furcifer) – Expert
• Glaw's chameleon (Calumma glawi) – Expert
• Guibe's chameleon (Calumma guibei) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Andringitra chameleon (Calumma andringitraense) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60×60×120 cm for one animal — tall rather than wide, with large vents at top and bottom. Not a closed glass tank, but also not a pure mesh cage: that dries out a rainforest species too quickly indoors. Side panels should be opaque so there is no visual contact with other individuals), substrate (Forest-floor substrate with live plants and dense branches at all heights; for females, a 10–15 cm deep, diggable and lightly moist substrate layer for egg-laying), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.