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Scientific name: ''Chamaeleo'' spp.

Scientific name: ''Chamaeleo'' spp.

 

The following three species of chameleonare among those species seen most often in captivity:

The following three species of chameleonare among those species seen most often in captivity:

Jackson's chameleon - ''C. jacksoni''

*Jackson's chameleon - ''C. jacksoni''

Panther chameleon - ''C. pardalis''

*Panther chameleon - ''C. pardalis''

Parson's chameleon - ''C. parsoni''

*Parson's chameleon - ''C. parsoni''

==Description==

==Description==

==Enclosure==

==Enclosure==

Chameleons are considered among the more delicate of lizards. Their captive requirements are poorly understood. A glass or wooden vivarium is ideal with living plants.

Chameleons are considered among the more delicate of lizards. Their captive requirements are poorly understood. A glass or wooden vivarium is ideal with living plants.

===Description===

===Description===

Adults reach 30-40 cm, but smaller forms exist. Males are the same size as females. Males have three distinctive horns; a long curving horn projects from its snout, and two others are rooted above its eyes. They have evolved for the purpose of display and may be used for jousting if two males meet on a branch. Females have only rudimentary horns. Horn stubs are also visible on male hatchlings.

Adults reach 30-40 cm, but smaller forms exist. Males are the same size as females. Males have three distinctive horns; a long curving horn projects from its snout, and two others are rooted above its eyes. They have evolved for the purpose of display and may be used for jousting if two males meet on a branch. Females have only rudimentary horns. Horn stubs are also visible on male hatchlings.

Relative air humidity of 50-60% is recommended with good ventilation. They can be kept in pairs in larger enclosures. Longevity in captivity is eight years plus. Juveniles have a low tolerance for stress and neglect and can be difficult to rear.

Relative air humidity of 50-60% is recommended with good ventilation. They can be kept in pairs in larger enclosures. Longevity in captivity is eight years plus. Juveniles have a low tolerance for stress and neglect and can be difficult to rear.

Range:

===Range===

East Africa.

East Africa.

Diet:

===Diet===

Adults should be fed locusts, crickets, small land snails and small vertebrates. Juveniles can be fed week-old crickets and wingless fruit flies; two to three feedings daily is recommended. Insects should be nutrient loaded and supplemented.

Adults should be fed locusts, crickets, small land snails and small vertebrates. Juveniles can be fed week-old crickets and wingless fruit flies; two to three feedings daily is recommended. Insects should be nutrient loaded and supplemented.

Enclosure:

===Enclosure===

A high altitude species in the wild. Fares best when kept as a montane/highland species. Require a large cage with freedom to roam. Specimens will often confine themselves to one area for most of the time. Quarantine is important.

A high altitude species in the wild. Fares best when kept as a montane/highland species. Require a large cage with freedom to roam. Specimens will often confine themselves to one area for most of the time. Quarantine is important.

Temperature:

===Temperature===

Adults should be maintained at temperatures of 24-29ºC during the day with a marked temperature drop at night. Adults are capable of tolerating very low night-time temperatures. For juveniles, recommend 27ºC daytime and 16ºC minimum night-time temperature.

Adults should be maintained at temperatures of 24-29ºC during the day with a marked temperature drop at night. Adults are capable of tolerating very low night-time temperatures. For juveniles, recommend 27ºC daytime and 16ºC minimum night-time temperature.

Breeding: Viviparous. Breeding has been achieved in captivity. Gestation about three months. Thirty young, 4-6 cm, being born usually September to December. Rearing juveniles singly may increase success. Maturity is reached in one year under optimum conditions.

===Breeding===

Panther Chameleon (Chamaeleo pardalis)

Description:

 

 

==Panther Chameleon (''Chamaeleo pardalis'')==

 

===Description===

Males up to 50 cm, females usually under 33cm. Males have a more developed helmet and are very variable in colour. Some forms are turquoise, others are green with varying amounts of red, some have extensive orange, and some have bright cobalt blue spotting. Females are more reclusive and nervous than males.

Males up to 50 cm, females usually under 33cm. Males have a more developed helmet and are very variable in colour. Some forms are turquoise, others are green with varying amounts of red, some have extensive orange, and some have bright cobalt blue spotting. Females are more reclusive and nervous than males.

One of the best-adapted chameleons for indoor keeping. Captive longevity in males, eight year plus.

One of the best-adapted chameleons for indoor keeping. Captive longevity in males, eight year plus.

Madagascar and the islands of Mauritius and Reunion (introduced).

See general discussion above.

See general discussion. Adults can be kept in pairs or trios in very large enclosures, otherwise are best kept singly.

See general discussion. Adults can be kept in pairs or trios in very large enclosures, otherwise are best kept singly.

Temperature:

===Temperature===

Recommend daytime temperature of 30-32ºC, night-time minimum 22ºC.

Recommend daytime temperature of 30-32ºC, night-time minimum 22ºC.

Breeding:

===Breeding===

Oviparous. Produces multiple clutches within a breeding season. Recommend incubation temperature 26-27ºC. Juveniles are best raised singly. Males of this species are probably the best choice for anyone wishing to own a single chameleon as a pet. Best choice for an indoor species.

 

''''Oviparous'''

 

Produces multiple clutches within a breeding season. Recommend incubation temperature 26-27ºC. Juveniles are best raised singly. Males of this species are probably the best choice for anyone wishing to own a single chameleon as a pet. Best choice for an indoor species.

 

 

Parson's chameleons are one of the largest and most spectacular of chameleons. Adults grow to 60 cm. Males are larger than females. Males have enlarged and projecting ornaments above and in front of the nostrils. Colour in males also differs from that of females. Adult males have a turquoise coloration and can adopt a pattern with reddish to orange bands. The eyelids are a bright yellow-orange. Females are typically green with a single bright yellow spot on each side. They can adopt a pattern with dark cross bands. The eyelids are yellow.

Parson's chameleons are one of the largest and most spectacular of chameleons. Adults grow to 60 cm. Males are larger than females. Males have enlarged and projecting ornaments above and in front of the nostrils. Colour in males also differs from that of females. Adult males have a turquoise coloration and can adopt a pattern with reddish to orange bands. The eyelids are a bright yellow-orange. Females are typically green with a single bright yellow spot on each side. They can adopt a pattern with dark cross bands. The eyelids are yellow.

It can be difficult to obtain the proper environment and husbandry. Overall, these chameleons are not very tolerant of stress.

It can be difficult to obtain the proper environment and husbandry. Overall, these chameleons are not very tolerant of stress.

Range:

===Range===

 

Madagascar.

Madagascar.

Diet:

===Diet===

 

Newly imported specimens can be reluctant to feed on crickets but will feed on larger grasshoppers, king mealworms and cockroaches. Occasional hand feeding of fuzzy mice recommended. Some may take mice on their own.

Newly imported specimens can be reluctant to feed on crickets but will feed on larger grasshoppers, king mealworms and cockroaches. Occasional hand feeding of fuzzy mice recommended. Some may take mice on their own.

Enclosure:

===Enclosure===

See general discussion. Needs high relative air humidity. A misting system recommended in large displays. Need abundant water.

See general discussion. Needs high relative air humidity. A misting system recommended in large displays. Need abundant water.

Temperature:

===Temperature===

This species does not tolerate extremes of heat or cold. Best kept at 27-29ºC during the daytime. Night temperature should not drop below 19ºC.

This species does not tolerate extremes of heat or cold. Best kept at 27-29ºC during the daytime. Night temperature should not drop below 19ºC.

Breeding:

===Breeding===

Not yet captive-bred. Egg laying: 25 or more eggs per clutch. Females are often weakened after egg laying and need to be given regular attention to rehydrate and require hand feeding until they are back into condition. Egg retention is very common due to the lack of suitable sites for oviposition.

Not yet captive-bred. Egg laying: 25 or more eggs per clutch. Females are often weakened after egg laying and need to be given regular attention to rehydrate and require hand feeding until they are back into condition. Egg retention is very common due to the lack of suitable sites for oviposition.