Natal Midlands dwarf chameleon (Bradypodion thamnobates)

Short answers

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

60×40×90 cm for one adult animal (at least ~90 cm tall × 57 × 40 cm).

Natal Midlands dwarf chameleon: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–26 °C (keep below 30 °C), basking spot 26–28 °C (moderate), at night 10–15 °C (temperate climate, cool nights).

Natal Midlands dwarf chameleon: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 3; a UVB tube plus natural light).

Natal Midlands dwarf chameleon: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 5–8 years.

Natal Midlands dwarf chameleon: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–26 °C (keep below 30 °C)

Night temperature

10–15 °C (temperate climate, cool nights)

Basking spot

26–28 °C (moderate)

Humidity

60–80 % (~70 %), at times 80–100 % in the summer habitat

UVB

UVB needed (Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 3; a UVB tube plus natural light)

Enclosure

Minimum size

60×40×90 cm for one adult animal (at least ~90 cm tall × 57 × 40 cm)

Substrate

Humus soil or forest floor, dense planting (ficus), fine branches; good ventilation (a fan), no waterlogging

Feeding

Food

Insects: small crickets, house crickets, flies, roaches; dusted with calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 12–16 cm total length (SVL ~7.6 cm; small for the genus)

Life expectancy

approx. 5–8 years

Origin

South Africa, the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands (temperate uplands and bushland, e.g. Nottingham Road)

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Regulation Annex B – specially protected: proof of origin plus registration required; export from South Africa requires a permit, and it is rare in the trade

Brumation

Recreate a cool winter spell (a temperate origin): day ~15–20 °C, night down to ~8–12 °C, with reduced misting and feeding – it benefits health and reproduction

Cohabitation

Keep them singly. Dwarf chameleons are territorial and solitary; housing them together permanently means stress and one animal being pushed out. Only briefly together for breeding. NEVER keep males together

Notes

Live-bearing (not an egg-layer). A robust species to be kept cool – "temperate", similar to Jackson's chameleon, but mist only briefly (no permanent wetness). A common mistake: too warm. The Nottingham Road line is considered the easiest.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Natal Midlands dwarf chameleon (Bradypodion thamnobates) 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
• Knysna dwarf chameleon (Bradypodion damaranum) – Intermediate
• 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 Natal Midlands dwarf chameleon (Bradypodion thamnobates) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60×40×90 cm for one adult animal (at least ~90 cm tall × 57 × 40 cm)), substrate (Humus soil or forest floor, dense planting (ficus), fine branches; good ventilation (a fan), no waterlogging), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.