Flap-necked chameleon (Chamaeleo dilepis)

Short answers

Flap-necked chameleon: How big does the enclosure need to be?

100×60×120 cm (larger is better), heavily ventilated (gauze).

Flap-necked chameleon: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–30 °C, basking spot 32–38 °C, at night 15–20 °C (may fall briefly to ~12 °C).

Flap-necked chameleon: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (Ferguson zone 3, UV index 3–4; sun-loving).

Flap-necked chameleon: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: ~5–8 years (often less in captivity, as most are wild-caught).

Flap-necked chameleon: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–30 °C

Night temperature

15–20 °C (may fall briefly to ~12 °C)

Basking spot

32–38 °C

Humidity

50–70 % (higher at night), good ventilation

UVB

UVB needed (Ferguson zone 3, UV index 3–4; sun-loving)

Enclosure

Minimum size

100×60×120 cm (larger is better), heavily ventilated (gauze)

Substrate

A soil, sand and coco mix, deep enough for egg-laying

Feeding

Food

Insects: locusts, crickets, house crickets, roaches – well gut-loaded and dusted with calcium

Feeding interval

adults every other day, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

up to ~35 cm with the tail

Life expectancy

~5–8 years (often less in captivity, as most are wild-caught)

Origin

Sub-Saharan Africa (eastern and southern Africa, widespread), savannah and bushland

Protection status

CITES Appendix II (since 1977) / EU Regulation Annex B; mostly wild-caught, proof of origin required

Brumation

No real winter rest; a slightly cooler, drier seasonal spell

Cohabitation

Single housing – territorial; never males together. Chameleons are pronounced loners, and mere visual contact with a conspecific already means constant stress — an animal that is always threatening or fleeing eats less and becomes ill. So keep even neighbouring enclosures visually screened from each other.

Notes

One of the most commonly traded chameleon species, almost always wild-caught → often parasites and import stress (quarantine, faecal sample, building it back up). Warmth-loving, but it needs plenty of fresh air. Comparatively robust, though delicate after import.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Flap-necked chameleon (Chamaeleo dilepis) in the marketplace →

Related species

• African chameleon (Chamaeleo africanus) – Intermediate
• Anchieta's chameleon (Chamaeleo anchietae) – Intermediate
• Arabian chameleon (Chamaeleo arabicus) – Intermediate
• Graceful chameleon (Chamaeleo gracilis) – Intermediate
• Common chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) – Intermediate
• Smooth chameleon (Chamaeleo laevigatus) – Intermediate
• Indian chameleon (Chamaeleo zeylanicus) – Intermediate
• Veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Flap-necked chameleon (Chamaeleo dilepis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×60×120 cm (larger is better), heavily ventilated (gauze)), substrate (A soil, sand and coco mix, deep enough 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.