Usambara three-horned chameleon (Trioceros deremensis)
Chameleons · Difficulty: Intermediate to expert
Key facts and care guidance for Usambara three-horned chameleon (Trioceros deremensis) (origin: The Eastern Arc Mountains / Usambara, Tanzania (montane forest)). Adult size around 30–40 cm. Life expectancy ~5–8 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Usambara three-horned chameleon: How big does the enclosure need to be?
80×80×150 cm, densely planted.
Usambara three-horned chameleon: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 22–26 °C, basking spot 26–28 °C (moderate), at night 14–18 °C (drop of ~8–10 °C).
Usambara three-horned chameleon: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Recommended.
Usambara three-horned chameleon: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: ~5–8 years.
Usambara three-horned chameleon: Is it suitable for beginners?
No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Intermediate to expert).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 22–26 °C
- Night temperature
- 14–18 °C (drop of ~8–10 °C)
- Basking spot
- 26–28 °C (moderate)
- Humidity
- 70–90 %+
- UVB
- Recommended
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 80×80×150 cm, densely planted
- Substrate
- Forest floor or coco humus, moss, leaf litter
Feeding
- Food
- Crickets, locusts, roaches, flies
- Feeding interval
- adults 2–3×/week
Key facts
- Adult size
- 30–40 cm
- Life expectancy
- ~5–8 years
- Origin
- The Eastern Arc Mountains / Usambara, Tanzania (montane forest)
- Protection status
- CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B — registration required
- Brumation
- no real rest period; cool all year with a night-time drop
- Cohabitation
- Single housing (aggressive towards conspecifics). Chameleons are pronounced loners, and mere visual contact with a conspecific already means constant stress — an animal that is always threatening or fleeing eats less and becomes ill. So keep even neighbouring enclosures visually screened from each other.
Notes
A cool montane forest species that tolerates no heat; a high water requirement and high humidity. Robust at the correct cool parameters.
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Related species
- Affinis chameleon (Trioceros affinis) – Expert
- Bale two-horned chameleon (Trioceros balebicornutus) – Expert
- Elliot's chameleon (Trioceros ellioti) – Intermediate
- Fea's chameleon (Trioceros feae) – Expert
- Goetze's chameleon (Trioceros goetzei) – Expert
- Harenna chameleon (Trioceros harennae) – Expert
- Von Höhnel's chameleon (Trioceros hoehnelii) – Intermediate
- Hornless chameleon (Trioceros incornutus) – Expert
What you need to start
To keep Usambara three-horned chameleon (Trioceros deremensis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×80×150 cm, densely planted), substrate (Forest floor or coco humus, moss, leaf litter), 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: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trioceros_deremensis, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Trioceros&species=deremensis
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).