The pygmy Chameleon is a small lizard measuring only 4 inches long. These tiny chameleons can be found in the forests and woods of central East Africa, including Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
They can be adapted to human contact and are intelligent, docile creatures. These pets are not recommended for novice owners because of their small size and fragility.
Although pygmy Chameleons don’t require a lot of care, they can be very troublesome if the conditions aren’t right for their natural habitat.
For intermediate or above-level owners, pygmy Chameleons are a great pet. They require very little space in the home.
Pygmy Shameleon Overview
| Common name | African leaf chameleon, Pygmy Chameleon |
| Scientific name | Rhampholeon |
| Natural habitat | Forests, woodlands, and savannah |
| Size for adults | 4 inches |
| Average life expectancy | 1-3 Years |
| Diet | Insectivorous |
| Housing | 5-gallon tank |
| Experience | Intermediate/Advanced |
Other Chameleons: Jackson’s Chameleon, Panther Chameleon
Origin
The central region of East Africa is home to the pygmy Rhampholeon .
Species of the pygmy chameleon genus can be found in Tanzania, Mozambique and Zimbabwe as well as other countries such as DR Congo, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique.
A genus of small Pygmy Chameleons includes up to 19 species. They can be found all over Africa and are varied in size and color.
They live in grass and leaf litter, and are ground-dwelling species. These reptiles can also be found in low-level bushes.
They can be quite rare in nature and they are not kept in captivity. This makes them difficult to find in pet trade.
Appearance and behavior
The most common pygmy species in the pet trade are bearded and spectral.
They are able to survive in their natural environment because they have the same colors as: green, brown, or gray.
Bearded Pygmy Chameleons have colors that are similar to leaves and wilted grass, such as yellow and brown.
This species is identified by the presence of a “beard” of scales on both male and female lizards that surrounds the reptiles’ chins.
The spectral pygmy Chameleons can change their color to match the background of its natural habitat.
A distinct dark line runs from their base to their tails.
Pitted pygmy Chameleons are slightly larger than their counterparts in size and shape. They have brown and gray patterns and resemble a leaf.
Size and life span
The pygmy and tin chameleons measure between 3-4 inches long, including their tails. The size of a baby pygmy Chameleon can be smaller than a human fingertip.
If taken care of properly, these reptiles can live for up to three years in captivity. They live between six and two years in the wild.
Temperament
They can be friendly and peaceful. Although they are easy to handle, it is best to avoid touching them for fear of injury or stress.
They don’t fight with one another like other species of chameleons.
To avoid conflict, however, it is best to keep two male Pygmy Chameleons together in a small enclosure.
Pygmy Shameleon Housing
Pygmy chameleons live in warm areas with lots of vegetation and high humidity. To ensure that chameleons feel healthy and comfortable in their tank, these conditions must be replicated.
Because of their small size, Pygmy Chameleons require only a small enclosure. They can be placed in any space that is available.
Size of the enclosure
To feel at home, they require a small enclosure. One chameleon can thrive in a terrarium that is only five gallons.
To ensure that each reptile is comfortable, you might consider adding five more gallons to your enclosure space if you have more than one Pygmy Chameleon.
These lizards aren’t active climbers because they live close to the ground in their natural habitat. They would rather have more horizontal space.
A pygmy Chameleon tank should be 16 inches long, 8 inches wide, and 10 inches high.
Lighting
They are not dependent on sophisticated lighting systems or additional UVB light.
They are found on the forest floor, or in bushes close to the ground. They require limited lighting such as a fluorescent lamp and 12 hours of natural sunlight per day to replicate the natural light cycle.
Temperature and humidity
The enclosure must maintain a constant temperature to ensure that the pygmy Chameleon is comfortable. This corresponds with the environment in which the reptile lives.
These lizards are able to live close to the ground in grass and low-hanging shrubs and they stay in the shade. They don’t experience temperature fluctuations throughout the day which is why they don’t require cooler or basking areas.
The ideal temperature for a pygmy-chameleon is between 65 and 80 degrees F. A pygmy Chameleon needs to be kept at a constant temperature of 80 degrees F. This is because it can become sickly if the temperature rises too high.
Although temperatures below 65 degrees F won’t kill the Chameleon, they can cause serious health problems if left unchecked.
Pygmy chameleons live in humid areas of East Africa. They need constant humidity to keep their bodies healthy.
For pygmy Chameleons, the ideal humidity level is between 60% and 80%. This can be achieved by spraying water twice daily – once in the morning and one in the evening.
With a thermometer and hygrometer in the enclosure, the owner should monitor the temperature and humidity levels.
Digital devices can display temperature and humidity levels, which makes monitoring easier for the owner.
Substrat and Decoration
Pygmy chameleons, delicate creatures, require soft substrate to protect themselves and provide comfort.
Because coconut fiber holds moisture well and supports the humidity level, it is an excellent substrate choice for a Pygmy Chameleon.
Substrats like gravel and sand might not be as effective because chameleons might swallow small particles that could cause indigestion.
Layer the coconut fiber substrate 2 to 4 inches deep. If the owner wishes to keep live plants inside the enclosure, coconut fiber can be added on top of gravel.
These animals will be able to benefit from the lush vegetation in the tank because they are wild pygmy Chameleons.
They are known to hide in or climb plants, so it is important to introduce live and artificial plants into the tank. This will make the pet feel more at ease, and also give them a sense security.
To protect the chameleon against infections, all plants, whether live or artificial, must be thoroughly washed before they are put into the tank.
They can also nibble on the plants so make sure the tank is stocked with safe plants and the artificial ones are completely disinfected.
rubber, yellowuccas and hibiscus are some of the best plants for a Pygmy Chameleon.
The enclosure can also be used to house a variety rocks, sticks and other decorative items for Pygmy Chameleons. Before they can be placed in the enclosure, all decorations must be cleaned.
Cleaning
Keep the enclosure of the chameleon clean by not spraying it with water during daily mistings. This will prevent water from leaving behind on the glass.
Spot cleaning should always be performed daily to remove all leftovers, excrement, or other waste from the cage and any stains from the tank’s glass walls.
Every few months, deep cleaning should be done. For disinfection, you should completely change the substrate and take out all decorations.
You can clean the decorations by either boiling them in water for 30 mins or washing them in the dishwasher.
Use mild cleaner to clean the tank’s walls and floor. You can make your own cleaning solution by mixing warm water with vinegar (1-1 ratio) or water with dish detergent (1-1 ratio).
To ensure that soap does not remain in the tank, wash it thoroughly.
Do a thorough cleaning and remove the pygmy Chameleon.
Pygmy Shameleon Care
The pygmy Chameleon can be kept indoors with minimal care, and is suitable for advanced or intermediate owners.
Due to their small size, these lizards can be fragile. It is important to provide a varied nutritious diet and pay extra attention to your reptile’s well-being.
Water and food
They eat small insects, making them insectivorous. These chameleons have small stomachs so food should be appropriate in size to allow them to eat properly.
Feeding insects to a pygmy Chameleon should be no larger than the head of the lizard.
Small chameleons are often given small insects like the Pygmy species, such as house flies and fruit flies.
Dust the insects with multivitamin powder or calcium powder to ensure proper vitamin intake.
Also, make sure to feed the pygmy Chameleon live insects a few hours before you give them to your pet.
Daily feeding is necessary for juvenile pygmy and juvenile chameleons. Young pygmy Chameleons need to be fed smaller insects like fruit flies and pinhead crickets.
Older chameleons may be fed with small crickets and house flies every other day.
To ensure that your reptile has a varied diet, make sure you give it a variety of insects.
You should remove all insects from the enclosure by the evening. If left unattended they can grow too large and bite sleeping chameleons.
Pygmy chameleons do not require an extra water bowl because they drink the water that has remained on the walls and plants after misting.
Spraying the tank with clean, chlorine-free water is a good idea.
Handling
Pygmy chameleons can be very friendly pets. These small reptiles can become stressed if they are handled too often, so it is best to limit their contact.
For the first few weeks that they spend in their enclosure, they shouldn’t be handled. They are getting used to the environment.
After two weeks, the pygmy Chameleons can be handled once in a while to aid their adaptation to human touch.
Also, Pygmy chameleons need to be checked every 2 to 3 weeks for signs and symptoms of disease.
Be gentle when touching the chameleon. Also, keep the reptile elevated above any hard surface to prevent it from getting stressed or trying to escape.
Common Health Problems
Pygmy chameleons can be fragile and should be taken to a specialist in exotic pets.
Chameleons can get a variety of conditions that require professional treatment.
Sometimes, Pygmy Chameleons suffer from mouth sores that are caused by bacterial infections. This requires medical treatment by one veterinarian.
If there are any scratches on your chameleon’s skin, you should take it to a veterinarian. These scratches could be caused by the chameleon being bitten at night by prey. They can also spread quickly.
Metabolic bone disease is a common condition in reptiles like pygmy and pygmy Chameleons. The condition is often caused by a poor diet. Reptiles can avoid this condition by taking enough vitamin and calcium supplements.
Other signs that could indicate the disease include lethargy and irregular skin pigmentation, irregular breathing, or a lack of appetite. These symptoms can be severe so make sure to take your chameleon to the veterinarian for treatment.
Breeding
If the enclosure conditions are similar to their natural habitat, they can be kept in captivity quite easily.
The owner will not likely observe these mating behaviors as they are often hidden in their enclosures.
The male pygmy Chameleon will not show any courting behavior, and the female Pygmy Chameleon won’t change her colors during breeding.
Natural breeding will occur when the male and female pygmy Chameleons are kept together in an enclosure that is at least 10 gallons.
To breed, chameleons must be kept at their normal temperature and humidity levels. They also need to be fed a varied nutritious diet to keep them healthy.
Chameleons require a thick layer, like coconut fiber, of soft substrate to protect their eggs.
The female will grow larger before she lays her eggs. This will be obvious to the owner. The eggs of the pygmy Chameleon are small and the owner must look closely around the enclosure in order to locate them.
To avoid any damage, remove the eggs carefully and place them in an incubator at 70-75 degrees F. The eggs should be kept incubated for between 45 and 90 days before hatching.
Once the tiny pygmy Chameleons hatch, you can move them to an enclosed area with the right conditions. Then, start feeding them tiny insects.
After six months, hatchlings can grow sufficiently large to be moved into a larger enclosure.
How to choose and buy a Pygmy Shameleon
It is very difficult to find them in pet shops across the US. These reptiles are not usually sold in pet shops. The best way to get a pygmy Chameleon is to contact a trusted breeder.
It is important to find a reliable breeder so that you do not get a pygmy Chameleon with serious health issues and infections.
You shouldn’t purchase a pygmy Chameleon online as the photo doesn’t always show the animal’s health.
To ensure that the chameleon is healthy, it’s best to inspect it with your own eyes. If you are looking for a pygmy Chameleon, be sure to look out for any irregularities in its coloration and deformities. These can indicate poor health.
The most common pygmy species, such as bearded Pygmy Chameleons, can be found between $25 and $50. Rare varieties can go up to $200.
See more: 15+ Best Pet Chameleons: Different Species of Chameleons
