Cameroon Montane Chameleons

*** Montane chameleons from Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea ***

• QUICK CARE & PHOTOS

-    CRESTED CHAMELEON Chamaeleo cristatus - Described by Stuchbury in 1837, this unusual species has a wide range (Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon and Nigeria), but is rarely imported in large numbers and many chameleon keepers are not familar with them (they are personal favorites of the author of this page though). Klaver and Bohme placed this species in a sub-genus called Trioceros. This is a medium-sized species that gets to 11" in total length. It is unusual-looking by having a large casqued-head  that forms a nice point, has large eyes, a "pinched sailfin" on the back and tail, and having a very short tail. The short tail makes it more of a low foliage, ground-dwelling chameleon. Males are a nice reddish-brown overall, but show nice colors of green, brown, white, red, blue, yellow and black. They often have neon-blue dots on top of the head. Their sailfin on their backs and tails are higher than the females. Females, which grow larger than the males, are basically green, but can show some of the above-mentioned colors when gravid or stressed. This is a montane species, so you must keep them between 65F-80F with 80-100% humidity. The cage should be well-ventilated, well-planted with pothos and ficus plants. Provide natural sunlight when possible, but remember they don't do well in direct sun for long periods or over 85F. Captive breeding is very, very rare. Females lay 16-37 eggs.

-    PEACOCK CHAMELEON Chamaeleo widershiemi - Described by Nieden in 1910, this small, but extremely coloful species lives in Cameroon and Nigeria. Klaver and Bohme placed this species in the Trioceros sub-genus. A sub-species, C. w. perreti lives in Cameroon. This small species, seldom exceeding 5" in total length is very coloful showing bright colors of green, white, brown, gray, red, blue, purple and black. Males light up with nice neon-blue dots on the head and pastel colors thru the eye lids, while females will show nice yellow dots with gravid on their heads. Both species tend to be bright green most of the time. This is a montane species, so you must keep them between 65F-80F with 80-100% humidity. The cage should be well-ventilated, well-planted with pothos and ficus plants. Provide natural sunlight when possible, but remember they don't do well in direct sun for long periods or over 85F. Captive breeding is very, very rare. Egg production data and incubation time is unknown or not well documented. This chameleon is sometimes called the "Mt. Lefo's Chameleon" also. See an excellent photo of this beautiful species by clicking here.

-    FOUR-HORNED CHAMELEON Chamaeleo quadricornis - Described by Tomier in 1899, this  montane species lives only in Cameroon. Klaver and Bohme placed this species in the sub-genus Trioceros. This is probably the most popular or well-know of the Cameroon montane species. Adults can get to 15" in total length. Males can have between 2-4 horns (the sub-species, C. g. gracilior can have 2-6 horns in the males). Males and females have a nice sailfin on their backs and tails (in the males, this is more prominent though). Both sexes exhibit the colors of green, brown, red, black, white, yellow and blue. Males tend to show off nice "pastel colors" along the sides of the bodies. Both sexes tend to be bright green most of the time, and both have unusual-looking "beards" under the chin. Females lack horns. This is a montane species, so you must keep them between 65F-80F with 80-100% humidity. The cage should be well-ventilated, well-planted with pothos and ficus plants. Provide natural sunlight when possible, but remember they don't do well in direct sun for long periods or over 85F. C.quadricornis is probably the hardiest of the Cameroon chameleons and captive-breedings are not a rarity. Females lay 8-15 eggs. Incubation time is five months. See an excellent photo by clicking here on this beautiful species.

CAMEROON MTN. SAILFIN CHAMELEON Chamaeleo montium - Described by Buchholz in 1874, this beautiful species is medium-sized (to 10" in total length) and lives in Cameroon. Klaver and Bohme placed this species in the sub-genus Trioceros. Males have two, long horns that aren't straight, but slightly curved usually. Females lack horns. Both sexes have nice sailfins on their backs and tails, but males have larger fins. Colors are mainly green, but both sexes sport blue, yellow, white, brown, black and red. Males can exhibit beautiful baby blue colors. This species is very shy, especially in the females. This is a montane species, so you must keep them between 65F-80F with 80-100% humidity. The cage should be well-ventilated, well-planted with pothos and ficus plants. Provide natural sunlight when possible, but remember they don't do well in direct sun for long periods or over 85F. Captive breeding is not un-heard of. Females lay 5-8 eggs adn incubate in 3-4 months.

PFEFFER'S CHAMELEON Chamaeleo pferreri - Described in 1900 by Boulenger, this medium-sized species lives in Cameroon. Klaver and Bohme placed this species in the sub-genus Trioceros. Adults seldom exceed 9" in total length. This rare species is closely related to C. montium. Males sport two rostral horns (looks similar to C. fisheri). Females lack the rostral horns. Colors are mainly green, but can have brown, blue, green, orange and white. This species is very shy. This is a montane species, so you must keep them between 65F-80F with 80-100% humidity. The cage should be well-ventilated, well-planted with pothos and ficus plants. Provide natural sunlight when possible, but remember they don't do well in direct sun for long periods or over 85F. Captive breeding is very, very rare. Incubation time and egg production is not well documented, but one breeder has had six clutches that averaged 16-18 weeks on incubation time.

These exciting and seldom-offered chameleons are for intermediate to advanced chameleon keepers. For more info and to check availability, email us at: gherp@cees.net , or call at (941) 693-1077 Mon.-Fri. 11a-5p EST. 

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