Campan's chameleon (Furcifer campani)
Chameleons · Difficulty: Expert
Key facts and care guidance for Campan's chameleon (Furcifer campani) (origin: The central highlands of Madagascar (to ~2,000 m)). Adult size around 12–20 cm. Life expectancy ~2–4 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Campan's chameleon: How big does the enclosure need to be?
60×60×100 cm, very well ventilated.
Campan's chameleon: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 19–26 °C, basking spot 26–28 °C (slight), at night 8–15 °C (dry season down to ~5 °C).
Campan's chameleon: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Recommended (highland).
Campan's chameleon: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: ~2–4 years.
Campan's chameleon: Is it suitable for beginners?
No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 19–26 °C
- Night temperature
- 8–15 °C (dry season down to ~5 °C)
- Basking spot
- 26–28 °C (slight)
- Humidity
- 60–90 %
- UVB
- Recommended (highland)
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 60×60×100 cm, very well ventilated
- Substrate
- Forest floor or coco humus, moss, tussocks of grass
Feeding
- Food
- Small crickets, house crickets, flies, roaches
- Feeding interval
- adults 2–3×/week
Key facts
- Adult size
- 12–20 cm
- Life expectancy
- ~2–4 years
- Origin
- The central highlands of Madagascar (to ~2,000 m)
- Protection status
- CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B, export quotas — registration required
- Brumation
- A cool dry season with very cold nights (down to ~5 °C)
- Cohabitation
- Keep them singly. Chameleons are pronounced loners, and even the mere sight of another of their kind means constant stress — you can see it in dark colouring, refusal to feed and weakened defences. Males fight in earnest, and females are harassed by males. So screen neighbouring enclosures from each other as well. For breeding, introduce the female briefly, stay with them and separate them again afterwards.
Notes
A demanding highland species with very cold nights and a strong night drop — heat build-up is lethal. Rare and hard to breed.
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Related species
- Angel's chameleon (Furcifer angeli) – Expert
- Antimena chameleon (Furcifer antimena) – Intermediate to expert
- Unicorn chameleon (Furcifer monoceras) – Expert
- Forked chameleon (Furcifer bifidus) – Expert
- Belted chameleon (Furcifer balteatus) – Expert
- Minor chameleon (Furcifer minor) – Expert
- Labord's chameleon (Furcifer labordi) – Expert
- Rhinoceros chameleon (Furcifer rhinoceratus) – Intermediate
What you need to start
To keep Campan's chameleon (Furcifer campani) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60×60×100 cm, very well ventilated), substrate (Forest floor or coco humus, moss, tussocks of grass), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 9 October 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furcifer_campani, https://www.madcham.de/en/furcifer-campani/
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).