Western pygmy chameleon (Rhampholeon spectrum)

Short answers

Western pygmy chameleon: How big does the enclosure need to be?

40×40×40 cm planted (floor area matters more than height).

Western pygmy chameleon: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–25 °C (max. 25; above 26 °C dangerous to lethal), at night 18–20 °C.

Western pygmy chameleon: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Low UVB recommended (Ferguson zone 1, UV index 1–2).

Western pygmy chameleon: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: ~2–3 years.

Western pygmy chameleon: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–25 °C (max. 25; above 26 °C dangerous to lethal)

Night temperature

18–20 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

60–80 % (higher at night)

UVB

Low UVB recommended (Ferguson zone 1, UV index 1–2)

Enclosure

Minimum size

40×40×40 cm planted (floor area matters more than height)

Substrate

A damp sand, peat or coco and leaf mix, at least 3 cm, with fallen leaves – always slightly damp

Feeding

Food

Small insects: fruit flies, small crickets or house crickets, springtails, firebrats

Feeding interval

adults 3–4×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

~8–10 cm with the tail

Life expectancy

~2–3 years

Origin

West and Central Africa (Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon among others), rainforest floor

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Regulation Annex B; usually wild-caught, proof of origin required

Brumation

No winter rest

Cohabitation

Keeping it singly is the default. In a sufficiently large, structured enclosure, a small group with only one male is conceivable under close observation, since the species is unusually non-territorial according to the source - but safety comes first, and males should never be housed together.

Notes

Sensitive to heat – temperatures above about 26 °C are lethal! Usually wild-caught → quarantine and deworming. Purely an animal to watch, not to handle.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Western pygmy chameleon (Rhampholeon spectrum) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Boulenger's pygmy chameleon (Rhampholeon boulengeri) – Expert
• Chapman's pygmy chameleon (Rhampholeon chapmanorum) – Expert
• Gorongosa pygmy chameleon (Rhampholeon gorongosae) – Expert
• Green pygmy chameleon (Rhampholeon viridis) – Intermediate
• Marshall's pygmy chameleon (Rhampholeon marshalli) – Expert
• Moyer's pygmy chameleon (Rhampholeon moyeri) – Expert
• Nchisi pygmy chameleon (Rhampholeon nchisiensis) – Expert
• Nguru pygmy chameleon (Rhampholeon acuminatus) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Western pygmy chameleon (Rhampholeon spectrum) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (40×40×40 cm planted (floor area matters more than height)), substrate (A damp sand, peat or coco and leaf mix, at least 3 cm, with fallen leaves – always slightly 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.