Bearded pygmy chameleon (Rieppeleon brevicaudatus)

Short answers

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

40×30×40 cm planted, with fine branches and a cork back wall.

Bearded pygmy chameleon: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–25 °C (sensitive to heat, not above ~24–25 °C), at night below 20 °C (18–20 °C).

Bearded pygmy chameleon: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Low UVB recommended (Ferguson zone 1–2, UV index 1–2).

Bearded pygmy chameleon: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: ~3–5 years (usually ~3).

Bearded pygmy chameleon: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–25 °C (sensitive to heat, not above ~24–25 °C)

Night temperature

below 20 °C (18–20 °C)

Basking spot

—

Humidity

60–80 %, briefly up to ~90 % (well ventilated)

UVB

Low UVB recommended (Ferguson zone 1–2, UV index 1–2)

Enclosure

Minimum size

40×30×40 cm planted, with fine branches and a cork back wall

Substrate

Loose, absorbent peat or coco humus; at least 10 cm deep in one spot (for egg-laying!), with fallen leaves

Feeding

Food

Small insects: fruit flies, small house crickets or crickets, springtails, firebrats, small roaches

Feeding interval

adults every 2–3 days, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

~6–8 cm with the tail

Life expectancy

~3–5 years (usually ~3)

Origin

North-eastern Tanzania (East Usambara, Uluguru) and Kenya – rainforest floor

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Regulation Annex B; usually wild-caught, proof of origin required

Brumation

No winter rest

Cohabitation

Group possible: one male with several females in a sufficiently large, well-structured enclosure. Never house males together.

Notes

Heat-sensitive – above 24–25 °C is risky (metabolic disorders, MBD, vitamin deficiency). Deep enough ground is essential against egg binding. A small species: keeping mistakes quickly turn fatal. Often recommended as a beginner's leaf chameleon, but demanding all the same.

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Related species

• Kenya pygmy chameleon (Rieppeleon kerstenii) – Intermediate
• Betsch's leaf chameleon (Brookesia betschi) – Expert
• Boulenger's pygmy chameleon (Rhampholeon boulengeri) – Expert
• Brygoo's leaf chameleon (Brookesia brygooi) – Expert
• Chapman's pygmy chameleon (Rhampholeon chapmanorum) – Expert
• Decary's leaf chameleon (Brookesia decaryi) – Intermediate
• Ebenau's leaf chameleon (Brookesia ebenaui) – Expert
• Armoured leaf chameleon (Brookesia perarmata) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Bearded pygmy chameleon (Rieppeleon brevicaudatus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (40×30×40 cm planted, with fine branches and a cork back wall), substrate (Loose, absorbent peat or coco humus; at least 10 cm deep in one spot (for egg-laying!), with fallen leaves), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.