Nguru pygmy chameleon (Rhampholeon acuminatus)

Short answers

Nguru pygmy chameleon: How big does the enclosure need to be?

40×40×50 cm.

Nguru pygmy chameleon: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 18–24 °C (COOL), basking spot No basking spot, at night 14–18 °C.

Nguru pygmy chameleon: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (UVB 2–5 %).

Nguru pygmy chameleon: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 3–5 years.

Nguru pygmy chameleon: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

18–24 °C (COOL)

Night temperature

14–18 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot

Humidity

80–95 %

UVB

Recommended (UVB 2–5 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

40×40×50 cm

Substrate

Coco humus, moss, leaf litter, fine twigs, a rain system

Feeding

Food

Fruit flies, springtails, micro crickets

Feeding interval

daily

Key facts

Adult size

6–9 cm total length

Life expectancy

3–5 years

Origin

Tanzania – the Nguru Mountains (a tiny range)

Protection status

CITES II; IUCN "Critically Endangered"

Brumation

A cooler spell of 8–10 weeks

Cohabitation

Keep in pairs; two males do not work together - they fight over territory and the best hides until one is seriously injured or permanently cornered. One male with several females, however, works reliably. Several hides matter so lower-ranking animals can retreat, and separate feeding once sizes differ.

Notes

A spectacularly spined dwarf chameleon from a single montane forest area. Heavily poached immediately after its discovery – buy only documented captive-bred animals. Keep it cool and permanently humid.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Boulenger's pygmy chameleon (Rhampholeon boulengeri) – Expert
• Chapman's pygmy chameleon (Rhampholeon chapmanorum) – Expert
• Gorongosa pygmy chameleon (Rhampholeon gorongosae) – Expert
• Green pygmy chameleon (Rhampholeon viridis) – Intermediate
• Marshall's pygmy chameleon (Rhampholeon marshalli) – Expert
• Moyer's pygmy chameleon (Rhampholeon moyeri) – Expert
• Nchisi pygmy chameleon (Rhampholeon nchisiensis) – Expert
• Western pygmy chameleon (Rhampholeon spectrum) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Nguru pygmy chameleon (Rhampholeon acuminatus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (40×40×50 cm), substrate (Coco humus, moss, leaf litter, fine twigs, 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.