Care Guide
Overview
- Common Name: Dwarf Fishcer Chameleon
- Scientific Name: Kinyongia tavetana
- Origin: Southern Kenya and Tanzania
- Size: 5-9 inches including tail
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
- Temperament: Skittish, highly territorial, and solitary
Enclosure Setup
Tank Size
- Minimum: 24" L × 24" W × 36" H
- Recommended: 24" L × 24" W × 48" H
Decor
- Live, non-toxic plants
- Many interlocking branches networks
- Places to bask and access to running water
- Hides and other visual barriers to remain unseen
Temperature and Heating
Temperature Gradient
- Basking Spot: 80–85°F
- Ambient Temp: 70–78°F
- Night temps: Can drop to 60°F
Heating Equipment
- Halogen basking bulb (preferred)
- Ceramic heat emitter (if needed at night)
Humidity
- Target: 40-60% during the day and 70-100% humidity at night, best maintained with fogging systems at night and a gentle mist in the mornings but allow to dry during the day
Lighting
- UVB: Recommended (Not optional for best health)
- Use 5-6% UVB tube placed over basking area
- Photoperiod: 10-12 hours daily
Diet
Staples
- Crickets
- Dubia Roaches
- Mealworms (in moderation)
- Occasional Superworms
Feeding Schedule
- Adults: daily cricket feedings. occasional other instects
- Juveniles: 2x daily feed with small crickets
Supplements
- Calcium:
- Without D3: 2-3x per week
- With D3: 1x per week
- Multivitamin: 1x per week
Water:
- Provide a small running water fountain at all times
Behavior and Handling
- Notoriously emotional with a low tolerance for being watched or handled
- Highly active species who constantly move around their enclosures
- May puff up, hold their mouth open, or even hiss when stressed or threatened
- when relaxed they may have bright, vibrant colors while darker colors may indicate stress or illness
- When Handling, avoid grabbing from above and make sure to support their entire body
Key Care Tips
- Low frequency, gently handling if necessary
- Many interlocking branches to traverse
- Provide constant running water
- Pay special attention to humidity and overnight fogging
- Provide visual barriers and hides where they may retreat when stressed