Strange-nosed chameleon (Kinyongia xenorhina)

Short answers

Strange-nosed chameleon: How big does the enclosure need to be?

80×60×120 cm for one adult animal, very densely planted, with opaque sides (a visual screen).

Strange-nosed chameleon: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 18–22 °C (cool mountain climate, ~19 °C), basking spot 24–26 °C (moderate; overheating above 30 °C is dangerous), at night 12–16 °C.

Strange-nosed chameleon: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 3; natural sun in summer, otherwise a T5/T8 5.0).

Strange-nosed chameleon: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: not firmly documented (probably ~4–6 years) – uncertain.

Strange-nosed chameleon: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

18–22 °C (cool mountain climate, ~19 °C)

Night temperature

12–16 °C

Basking spot

24–26 °C (moderate; overheating above 30 °C is dangerous)

Humidity

80–100 % (fogging before lights on in the morning)

UVB

UVB needed (Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 3; natural sun in summer, otherwise a T5/T8 5.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

80×60×120 cm for one adult animal, very densely planted, with opaque sides (a visual screen)

Substrate

Damp forest floor or humus, moss, leaf litter; dense planting plus fine branches; good ventilation, no waterlogging

Feeding

Food

Insects: crickets, locusts, roaches, flying insects; calcium weekly (calcium plus D3 in winter)

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 20–30 cm total length (males with a striking plate-like nasal horn) – figure uncertain

Life expectancy

not firmly documented (probably ~4–6 years) – uncertain

Origin

The Ruwenzori Mountains, western Uganda / eastern DR Congo, montane rainforest ~1,200–2,600 m

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Regulation Annex B – specially protected: proof of origin plus registration required; very rarely kept

Brumation

No brumation; a cool indoor winter spell with calcium and D3 supplementation; in summer they must be protected from heat above 35 °C (a cool room or cellar if needed)

Cohabitation

Keep them singly. Strictly territorial and solitary (the males are territorial and the females very shy). Only briefly together for breeding. NEVER keep males together

Notes

Expressly for experts only (not merely the "experienced"). Very shy; it needs visual screening and opaque sides, and misting in the morning. Keep it cool – it is sensitive to heat. The final size and lifespan are not cleanly documented in the sources.

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Related species

• Adolf Friedrich's chameleon (Kinyongia adolfifriderici) – Expert
• Böhme's two-horned chameleon (Kinyongia boehmei) – Expert
• Carpenter's chameleon (Kinyongia carpenteri) – Expert
• Fischer's two-horned chameleon (Kinyongia fischeri) – Intermediate
• Taveta two-horned chameleon (Kinyongia tavetana) – Intermediate
• Magombera chameleon (Kinyongia magomberae) – Expert
• Matschie's two-horned chameleon (Kinyongia matschiei) – Intermediate
• Sharp-nosed chameleon (Kinyongia oxyrhina) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Strange-nosed chameleon (Kinyongia xenorhina) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×60×120 cm for one adult animal, very densely planted, with opaque sides (a visual screen)), substrate (Damp forest floor or humus, moss, leaf litter; dense planting plus fine branches; good ventilation, 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.