Magombera chameleon (Kinyongia magomberae)

Short answers

Magombera chameleon: How big does the enclosure need to be?

60×60×120 cm for one animal — height and airflow, not a closed glass tank.

Magombera chameleon: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–26 °C, basking spot Basking spot 28–30 °C, no warmer, at night 12–17 °C.

Magombera chameleon: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 5.0–6.0).

Magombera chameleon: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 4–8 years.

Magombera chameleon: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–26 °C

Night temperature

12–17 °C

Basking spot

Basking spot 28–30 °C, no warmer

Humidity

60–85 %, mist morning and evening

UVB

Essential (UVB 5.0–6.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

60×60×120 cm for one animal — height and airflow, not a closed glass tank

Substrate

Forest-floor substrate with live plants, dense branchwork at all heights

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, roaches, flies and wax moths in rotation, dusted regularly with calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults every other day

Key facts

Adult size

12–16 cm

Life expectancy

4–8 years

Origin

The Magombera Forest, Tanzania

Protection status

CITES II, IUCN "Vulnerable"

Brumation

No winter rest; cooler in winter with a shorter photoperiod

Cohabitation

Single housing. Chameleons are not group animals — the mere sight of another of their kind already means constant stress, visible in dark colouring and refusal to feed.

Notes

Just a single remnant patch of forest. Not to be expected in the trade.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Magombera chameleon (Kinyongia magomberae) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Adolf Friedrich's chameleon (Kinyongia adolfifriderici) – Expert
• Böhme's two-horned chameleon (Kinyongia boehmei) – Expert
• Carpenter's chameleon (Kinyongia carpenteri) – Expert
• Fischer's two-horned chameleon (Kinyongia fischeri) – Intermediate
• Taveta two-horned chameleon (Kinyongia tavetana) – Intermediate
• Matschie's two-horned chameleon (Kinyongia matschiei) – Intermediate
• Strange-nosed chameleon (Kinyongia xenorhina) – Expert
• Sharp-nosed chameleon (Kinyongia oxyrhina) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Magombera chameleon (Kinyongia magomberae) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60×60×120 cm for one animal — height and airflow, not a closed glass tank), substrate (Forest-floor substrate with live plants, dense branchwork at all heights), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.