Meller's chameleon (Trioceros melleri)

Short answers

Meller's chameleon: How big does the enclosure need to be?

150×90×150 cm (a large, heavily ventilated enclosure; for adults better 180×100×180 cm).

Meller's chameleon: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–30 °C (ambient 22–27 °C), basking spot 32–40 °C, at night 18–22 °C.

Meller's chameleon: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 2–4).

Meller's chameleon: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: up to ~12 years in captivity (usually less).

Meller's chameleon: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–30 °C (ambient 22–27 °C)

Night temperature

18–22 °C

Basking spot

32–40 °C

Humidity

50–70 % by day, up to 80–90 % at night

UVB

UVB needed (Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 2–4)

Enclosure

Minimum size

150×90×150 cm (a large, heavily ventilated enclosure; for adults better 180×100×180 cm)

Substrate

Loose, slightly damp substrate (soil, coco humus and leaf litter) with good drainage

Feeding

Food

Large insects: locusts, migratory locusts, roaches, large crickets or house crickets, occasionally wax moths – well gut-loaded and dusted with calcium

Feeding interval

adults 3–4 feeder insects every other day, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

45–60 cm including tail (one of the largest mainland chameleons; exceptionally up to ~76 cm)

Life expectancy

up to ~12 years in captivity (usually less)

Origin

East Africa – Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique (montane forest and savannah)

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Regulation Annex B; proof of origin needed, usually wild-caught

Brumation

No real winter rest; a slight night-time or seasonal drop in temperature

Cohabitation

Keep them singly – territorial and aggressive towards each other; never keep males together (several sources advise strictly against communal keeping)

Notes

A very high need for fresh air (gauze sides, air circulation); it prefers to drink moving water (a drip feeder or a small waterfall); sensitive to heat build-up and drying out. Usually wild-caught → quarantine and a faecal sample and deworming. Not for beginners.

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Related species

• Affinis chameleon (Trioceros affinis) – Expert
• Bale two-horned chameleon (Trioceros balebicornutus) – Expert
• Usambara three-horned chameleon (Trioceros deremensis) – Intermediate to expert
• Elliot's chameleon (Trioceros ellioti) – Intermediate
• Fea's chameleon (Trioceros feae) – Expert
• Goetze's chameleon (Trioceros goetzei) – Expert
• Harenna chameleon (Trioceros harennae) – Expert
• Von Höhnel's chameleon (Trioceros hoehnelii) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Meller's chameleon (Trioceros melleri) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (150×90×150 cm (a large, heavily ventilated enclosure; for adults better 180×100×180 cm)), substrate (Loose, slightly damp substrate (soil, coco humus and leaf litter) with good drainage), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.