Peyrieras' chameleon (Calumma peyrierasi)

Short answers

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

60×60×120 cm for one animal — height and airflow, not a closed glass tank.

Peyrieras' chameleon: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, basking spot Basking spot 30–33 °C, at night 16–20 °C.

Peyrieras' chameleon: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 5.0–6.0).

Peyrieras' chameleon: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 4–8 years.

Peyrieras' chameleon: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C

Night temperature

16–20 °C

Basking spot

Basking spot 30–33 °C

Humidity

65–90 %, mist morning and evening

UVB

Essential (UVB 5.0–6.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

60×60×120 cm for one animal — height and airflow, not a closed glass tank

Substrate

Forest-floor substrate with live plants, dense branchwork at all heights

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, roaches, flies and wax moths in rotation, dusted regularly with calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults every other day

Key facts

Adult size

10–14 cm

Life expectancy

4–8 years

Origin

North-eastern Madagascar

Protection status

CITES II, and Madagascar's export quota is zero for some species — insist on captive-bred animals

Brumation

No winter rest; cooler in winter with a shorter photoperiod

Cohabitation

Keep strictly singly — chameleons are not group animals, and mere visual contact alone means constant stress.

Notes

A very small montane forest species.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Peyrieras' chameleon (Calumma peyrierasi) 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 Peyrieras' chameleon (Calumma peyrierasi) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60×60×120 cm for one animal — height and airflow, not a closed glass tank), substrate (Forest-floor substrate with live plants, dense branchwork at all heights), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.