Side-striped chameleon (Calumma gastrotaenia)
Chameleons · Difficulty: Intermediate
Key facts and care guidance for Side-striped chameleon (Calumma gastrotaenia) (origin: Eastern Madagascar – montane rainforest). Adult size around 13–18 cm total length. Life expectancy 3–6 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Side-striped chameleon: How big does the enclosure need to be?
60×60×90 cm (mesh / height).
Side-striped chameleon: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 20–26 °C, basking spot 28 °C, at night 15–19 °C.
Side-striped chameleon: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Essential (UVB 5.0–10.0).
Side-striped chameleon: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 3–6 years.
Side-striped chameleon: Is it suitable for beginners?
Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 20–26 °C
- Night temperature
- 15–19 °C
- Basking spot
- 28 °C
- Humidity
- 75–90 %
- UVB
- Essential (UVB 5.0–10.0)
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 60×60×90 cm (mesh / height)
- Substrate
- Coco humus, dense planting, fine branches, a rain system
Feeding
- Food
- House crickets, crickets, flies, wax moths
- Feeding interval
- daily to every other day
Key facts
- Adult size
- 13–18 cm total length
- Life expectancy
- 3–6 years
- Origin
- Eastern Madagascar – montane rainforest
- Protection status
- CITES II
- Brumation
- A cooler spell of 8–10 weeks
- Cohabitation
- Keep them singly. Chameleons are pronounced loners, and even the mere sight of another of their kind means constant stress — you can see it in dark colouring, refusal to feed and weakened defences. Males fight in earnest, and females are harassed by males. So screen neighbouring enclosures from each other as well. For breeding, introduce the female briefly, stay with them and separate them again afterwards.
Notes
A delicate, slender forest chameleon with a pale lengthwise band. A montane forest species: cool and permanently humid. It drinks only droplets – without misting the animals dry out unnoticed.
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Related species
- Amber Mountain chameleon (Calumma ambreense) – Expert
- Andringitra chameleon (Calumma andringitraense) – Expert
- 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
- Guibe's chameleon (Calumma guibei) – Expert
What you need to start
To keep Side-striped chameleon (Calumma gastrotaenia) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60×60×90 cm (mesh / height)), substrate (Coco humus, dense planting, fine branches, 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.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 9 October 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: grokipedia.com, worldspecies.org, Wikipedia EN, eu_annex.txt (lokal), gutachten.txt (BML 1997, lokal)
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).