Namaqua chameleon (Chamaeleo namaquensis)

Short answers

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

Very large and ground-oriented: at least 200×80×80 cm (a ground-dweller, does not climb, runs fast).

Namaqua chameleon: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–35 °C (desert; locally very hot during the day), basking spot 40–45 °C, at night 10–18 °C (strong night-time drop).

Namaqua chameleon: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: High UVB needed (Ferguson zone 4, UV index 4–6; full desert sun).

Namaqua chameleon: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: ~5–8 years (hard to reach in captivity).

Namaqua chameleon: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–35 °C (desert; locally very hot during the day)

Night temperature

10–18 °C (strong night-time drop)

Basking spot

40–45 °C

Humidity

20–40 % by day (dry), higher at night through fog and dew; water comes from dew or fine mist

UVB

High UVB needed (Ferguson zone 4, UV index 4–6; full desert sun)

Enclosure

Minimum size

very large and ground-oriented: at least 200×80×80 cm (a ground-dweller, does not climb, runs fast)

Substrate

Desert sand or sand-loam, diggable and deep

Feeding

Food

Large insects: beetles (tenebrionids), locusts; a voracious feeder that occasionally takes small vertebrates

Feeding interval

adults generously, daily to every other day (a high metabolism)

Key facts

Adult size

up to ~25 cm (one of the largest South African species)

Life expectancy

~5–8 years (hard to reach in captivity)

Origin

The deserts of south-western Africa (the Namib: Namibia, western South Africa, southern Angola)

Protection status

CITES Appendix II; nationally protected in South Africa and Namibia; practically no legal imports

Brumation

No winter rest; recreate a strong day–night and seasonal temperature range

Cohabitation

Single housing – territorial loner. 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

An extremely demanding desert ground species: an enormous amount of floor space, a large temperature amplitude, and a very high food and water requirement (it drinks dew and fog and can take up water through skin capillaries). It cannot climb, and runs fast. Barely available legally – for specialists only.

Do you keep this species?

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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 Namaqua chameleon (Chamaeleo namaquensis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (very large and ground-oriented: at least 200×80×80 cm (a ground-dweller, does not climb, runs fast)), substrate (Desert sand or sand-loam, diggable and deep), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.