Small Chameleons

[Lena]

I've been noticing these tiny chameleons for sale at reptile shows and I've been wondering what they are.

They're about 3-5 inches long, dark brown.

If anyone could put a name to these and give me a caresheet - I'd be ever so thankful! I have a nice screen enclosure that might suit one of these little ones nicely.. And I've always wanted a chameleon!

 

[italipinos8]

These are called pygmy chameleons. The most common is brevicaudatus or the bearded pygmy. A good care sheet is http://www.crestedlady.com/pygmycaresheet.htm

 

[Lena]

Doesn't mention anything about humidity.. What kind of humidity do they need? Constant or just 2-3 spray-downs daily?

 

[Coqui]

Good caresheet, however I have to disagree with the statement that they should be in screen enclosures.

Pygmies do just fine in glass enclosures. They are not as labor intensive as the larger species. In fact many people have great success keeping and breeding them in glass aquariums.

 

[italipinos8]

Coqui is right. Pygmys do good in glass enclosures too. I wanted to get one for quite some time. I a lot of my info from chameleonforums.com.

 

[yellermelon]

Wanted to add their life span is only like 2 years I had a pair, they were adults when I got them, did great and died of old age like 8 months later....

 

[Palor]

Most chams are not long lived, it is a real shame they are such neat lizards.