Bearded false chameleon (Chamaeleolis barbatus)

Short answers

Bearded false chameleon: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 45×45×90 cm (height matters).

Bearded false chameleon: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C (cool zone 25–27 °C), basking spot 30–32 °C basking, at night 17–22 °C.

Bearded false chameleon: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended, but at a low dose: UV index 2–3 at the basking spot (a shade-dweller, not a sun-basking species).

Bearded false chameleon: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 6–10 years.

Bearded false chameleon: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C (cool zone 25–27 °C)

Night temperature

17–22 °C

Basking spot

30–32 °C basking

Humidity

~70–80 % (down to 40 % by day, up to ~100 % at night)

UVB

Recommended, but at a low dose: UV index 2–3 at the basking spot (a shade-dweller, not a sun-basking species)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 45×45×90 cm (height matters)

Substrate

Moisture-retaining forest floor with leaf litter, plenty of branchwork, cork and vines

Feeding

Food

Insects, preferably snails (a specialist), also crickets and roaches

Feeding interval

every 2–3 days

Key facts

Adult size

30–35 cm total length

Life expectancy

6–10 years

Origin

Cuba

Protection status

Cuba restricts export – usually captive-bred animals; no CITES

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Keeping them singly is the least stressful option: false chameleons are solitary, and in a shared enclosure the weaker animal easily ends up under constant pressure. One male with one or two females is possible in a large, densely structured enclosure, but the animals must be watched closely, and a spare enclosure should be ready in case one is pushed aside. For breeding, it is enough to put the animals together under supervision and separate them again afterwards.

Notes

A quiet "false chameleon" that likes to eat snails – offer a varied diet. It needs high humidity and good ventilation.

Do you keep this species?

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Bearded false chameleon (Chamaeleolis barbatus) currently offered

• 1.0 Chamaeleolis barbatus – Lauf · 300 €

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Related species

• Aguero's false chameleon (Chamaeleolis agueroi) – Intermediate
• Cuban false chameleon (Chamaeleolis chamaeleonides) – Expert
• Guamuhaya false chameleon (Chamaeleolis guamuhaya) – Expert
• Western bearded anole (Chamaeleolis porcus) – Intermediate
• Ghost anole (Anolis lemurinus) – Intermediate
• Ahl's anole (Anolis ahli) – Intermediate
• Aliniger anole (Anolis aliniger) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Allogus anole (Anolis allogus) – Beginner with some knowledge

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Bearded false chameleon (Chamaeleolis barbatus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 45×45×90 cm (height matters)), substrate (Moisture-retaining forest floor with leaf litter, plenty of branchwork, cork and vines), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.