Chameleon angle-headed lizard (Gonocephalus chamaeleontinus)

Short answers

Chameleon angle-headed lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

At least 100 × 60 × 120 cm for a pair, 160 × 90 × 180 cm recommended (height and vertical trunks matter more than floor space), plus a large water basin.

Chameleon angle-headed lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, basking spot 28–30 °C (small spot, not too hot), at night 20–22 °C.

Chameleon angle-headed lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (5–6 %, Ferguson zone 1–2).

Chameleon angle-headed lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 8–10 years.

Chameleon angle-headed lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

28–30 °C (small spot, not too hot)

Humidity

70–80 % during the day, up to nearly 100 % at night

UVB

UVB needed (5–6 %, Ferguson zone 1–2)

Enclosure

Minimum size

at least 100 × 60 × 120 cm for a pair, 160 × 90 × 180 cm recommended (height and vertical trunks matter more than floor space), plus a large water basin

Substrate

A forest-floor mix of coco humus and leaf litter, permanently damp but not wet

Feeding

Food

Crickets, house crickets, roaches, wax moths, occasionally snails; dust with calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 2–3× a week, juveniles daily; mist several times a day

Key facts

Adult size

males up to approx. 32 cm, females up to approx. 27 cm total length

Life expectancy

approx. 8–10 years

Origin

Sumatra, Java, Nias, the Mentawai, Banyak and Natuna Islands as well as the Malay Peninsula (Pahang, Pulau Tioman); humid montane forest

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; wild-caught animals in the trade — please buy captive-bred animals specifically

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

In pairs (1.1), with a lot of space also 1.2. Males are strictly territorial and will not tolerate each other, not even in large enclosures. Plan visual barriers and several climbing levels so that subordinate animals can get out of the way.

Notes

It drinks almost only falling droplets — a rain or fog system is essential, and a water bowl alone is not enough. Wild-caught animals are often heavily wormed and hard to settle in; captive-bred animals are markedly more robust.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Chameleon angle-headed lizard (Gonocephalus chamaeleontinus) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Bell's angle-headed dragon (Gonocephalus bellii) – Intermediate to expert
• Borneo angle-headed lizard (Gonocephalus bornensis) – Expert
• Doria's angle-headed lizard (Gonocephalus doriae) – Intermediate
• Great angle-headed lizard (Gonocephalus grandis) – Expert
• Kuhl's angle-headed lizard (Gonocephalus kuhlii) – Expert
• Blue-eyed angle-headed lizard (Gonocephalus liogaster) – Intermediate
• Large-scaled angle-headed lizard (Gonocephalus megalepis) – Expert
• Mjöberg's angle-headed lizard (Gonocephalus mjobergi) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Chameleon angle-headed lizard (Gonocephalus chamaeleontinus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (at least 100 × 60 × 120 cm for a pair, 160 × 90 × 180 cm recommended (height and vertical trunks matter more than floor space), plus a large water basin), substrate (A forest-floor mix of coco humus and leaf litter, permanently damp but not wet), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.