Knysna dwarf chameleon (Bradypodion damaranum)

Short answers

Knysna dwarf chameleon: How big does the enclosure need to be?

45×45×70 cm (mesh / height).

Knysna dwarf chameleon: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 18–25 °C (COOL), basking spot 27 °C, at night 12–17 °C.

Knysna dwarf chameleon: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 5.0).

Knysna dwarf chameleon: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 3–6 years.

Knysna dwarf chameleon: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

18–25 °C (COOL)

Night temperature

12–17 °C

Basking spot

27 °C

Humidity

70–90 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 5.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

45×45×70 cm (mesh / height)

Substrate

Coco humus, dense planting, fine branches, a rain system

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, flies, wax moths

Feeding interval

daily to every other day

Key facts

Adult size

12–18 cm total length

Life expectancy

3–6 years

Origin

South Africa – the Knysna forest belt

Protection status

CITES II; export from South Africa is strictly regulated

Brumation

A cooler spell of 10–12 weeks

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

Live-bearing, brilliantly green-turquoise in colour. A cool temperate forest species – it needs a genuine winter rest with night temperatures around 10 °C.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Knysna dwarf chameleon (Bradypodion damaranum) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Drakensberg dwarf chameleon (Bradypodion dracomontanum) – Intermediate
• Cape dwarf chameleon (Bradypodion pumilum) – Intermediate
• Karoo dwarf chameleon (Bradypodion karrooicum) – Intermediate
• Robertson dwarf chameleon (Bradypodion gutturale) – Intermediate
• Natal Midlands dwarf chameleon (Bradypodion thamnobates) – Expert
• Black-headed dwarf chameleon (Bradypodion melanocephalum) – Intermediate
• Setaro's dwarf chameleon (Bradypodion setaroi) – Intermediate
• Smith's dwarf chameleon (Bradypodion taeniabronchum) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Knysna dwarf chameleon (Bradypodion damaranum) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (45×45×70 cm (mesh / height)), substrate (Coco humus, dense planting, fine branches, a rain system), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.