Care Sheet – Cameroon Sailfin Chameleon

Scientific NameChamaeleo montiumCitesCites status: Cites Appendix II, obligation to keep records and to register! Range Africa (Cameroon)HabitatMountain cloud forests up to 1200m above sea level. Diurnal Size: 25cm. Females a little smallerHousingTerrarium minimum size 120x60x150 cm (LxWxH), for a Single animal.Décor Branches and vines, backgrounds for back and rear panels if all glass terrarium. Planting is possible, remember to have several plants as Chameleons eat plants especially Ficus. When one plant looks rough change with another one so that the one taken out can recover before being changed over. I usually have four Ficus as house plants that can be used while one is recovering. (Ficus benjamina, Scindapsus sp., Epipremnium sp., Hoya sp., etc.). Many hiding places. Good air circulation is required. SubstrateI prefer to use only newspaper, Kitchen paper or brown wrapping paper (use dull brown side up). If you use loose substrate it can get stuck on the tongue when feeding and cause stress and impaction.Temperature/HumidityAir temperature between 25-28°C, local hot spot up to 30°C. If possible at night turn the temperature down to 15-20°C. 15°C is recommended. Humidity: 80-100%LightingDaylight fluorescent tubes, I prefer Exo Tera Repti Glo 2.0 UV tubes .For the local hot spot use an incandescent spot bulb on a dimmer thermostat.FeedingInsects (e.g. crickets, smaller locusts, cockroaches, super mealworms, wax moths, etc.)Use Calcium and vitamins (Exo Terra Calcium + D, Exo Terra Multi Vitamins or similar.) to dust the food. Use as directed with them.

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A dripper watering system is recommended similar to the Zoo Meds Dripper for drinking. Chamele-ons’ get their water from the water dropplets on leaves and décor; they do no drink from bowls.BreedingLays up to 18 eggs. Incubation period at 25-28°C between 100-115 days

John Gamesby

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