Nose-horned chameleon (Calumma nasutum)

Short answers

Nose-horned chameleon: How big does the enclosure need to be?

50×50×70 cm for one adult animal (a small species; densely planted, fine twigs).

Nose-horned chameleon: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 23–27 °C (~25 °C), basking spot 28–30 °C (spot-sized only, do not overheat this small species), at night 15–20 °C (rainy season ~20 °C, dry season ~15 °C).

Nose-horned chameleon: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed, but low (Ferguson zone 1–2, UV index 2–3; an understorey dweller).

Nose-horned chameleon: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 2–4 years (short-lived, captive data uncertain).

Nose-horned chameleon: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

23–27 °C (~25 °C)

Night temperature

15–20 °C (rainy season ~20 °C, dry season ~15 °C)

Basking spot

28–30 °C (spot-sized only, do not overheat this small species)

Humidity

80–100 % (foggy in the morning, barely drying out)

UVB

UVB needed, but low (Ferguson zone 1–2, UV index 2–3; an understorey dweller)

Enclosure

Minimum size

50×50×70 cm for one adult animal (a small species; densely planted, fine twigs)

Substrate

Damp forest floor or humus, moss, leaf litter; dense planting with thin branches and lianas; constantly damp

Feeding

Food

Small insects: fruit flies, micro crickets, small roaches, springtails; dusted with calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults small portions every 1–2 days, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 8–10 cm total length (one of the smallest chameleon species)

Life expectancy

approx. 2–4 years (short-lived, captive data uncertain)

Origin

Southern and eastern Madagascar (Ranomafana among others) ~1,000 m, primary and secondary rainforest, low vegetation

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Regulation Annex B – specially protected: proof of origin plus registration required; an export quota of about 1,000 animals a year; often wild-caught

Brumation

No brumation; slightly cooler nights in the dry season, and keep the humidity permanently high

Cohabitation

Keep them singly. Territorial and solitary; put them together only briefly for breeding. NEVER keep males together

Notes

Very small and tricky, and it dehydrates extremely fast – constantly high humidity plus fog is essential. NOTE: since 2014 numerous other species have been wrongly traded as "C. nasutum" (a risk of confusion). Usually wild-caught, and often parasitised.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Nose-horned chameleon (Calumma nasutum) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Amber Mountain chameleon (Calumma ambreense) – Expert
• Andringitra chameleon (Calumma andringitraense) – Expert
• Side-striped chameleon (Calumma gastrotaenia) – Intermediate
• Amber Mountain chameleon (Calumma amber) – Intermediate to expert
• Boettger's chameleon (Calumma boettgeri) – Intermediate
• Capuron's chameleon (Calumma capuroni) – Expert
• Forked chameleon (Calumma furcifer) – Expert
• Glaw's chameleon (Calumma glawi) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Nose-horned chameleon (Calumma nasutum) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (50×50×70 cm for one adult animal (a small species; densely planted, fine twigs)), substrate (Damp forest floor or humus, moss, leaf litter; dense planting with thin branches and lianas; constantly damp), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.