The Pygmy Chameleon isn’t actually a specific species of Chameleon. This term is actually used to describe an entire genus of small Chameleons that are native to Central and Eastern Africa.
While there are a number of different species out there, they are all commonly called Pygmy Chameleons which can often cause confusion among Scientists and Hobbyists alike.
In this article we will take a look at this group of miniature Chameleons and try to give you a better understanding of these amazing lizards.
Pygmy Chameleon Taxonomy
The Pygmy Chameleon belongs to the infraorder Iguania. This is a grouping of lizards which contains species such as Iguanas, Chameleons, Agamids and Anoles.
As its name suggests, it belongs to the Chameleon family of lizards. There are over 200 different species of Chameleon lizards that are divided into 12 different genera.
The majority of Chameleons are native to Africa and Madagascar but they can also be found in the Middle East, India and parts of Southern Europe.
Some of the popular species of Chameleons include the Panther Chameleon, the Carpet Chameleon and the Jacksons Chameleon.
The genus of Pygmy Chameleons is called Rhampholeon. This group of lizards are also referred to as African Leaf Chameleons.
Most of the species in this genus are Brown, Grey or Green in color which helps them to blend in to their environment.
There are currently 19 recognised species of Pygmy Chameleon including the Bearded Pygmy Chameleon and the Marshall’s Pygmy Chameleon.
Pygmy Chameleon Description
The different Pygmy Chameleon species can vary greatly in appearance but they also have some similar characteristics.
Most of these lizards are grey, brown or green in color. This helps them blend into the leaf litter or low-lying bush that they call home.
These lizards tend not to display the vibrant coloration of other chameleon species such as the Panther Chameleon but they are still nice-looking lizards.
Most species of Pygmy Chameleon are very small, hence their name. The majority of species only grow to around 3 or 4 inches in length, including the tail.
Some of the common characteristics they share with other chameleon species include their independently rotating eyes and their forked feet.
However, one feature that sets them apart is their tail. Most chameleons have long prehensile tails. However, these species have small stubbed tails as they spend most of their time close to the ground.
Each individual species also has their own unique characteristics. For example, the Bearded Pygmy Chameleons has a small “beard” of scales around the base of its chin. This is present in both males and females.
The Spectrum Pygmy Chameleon has a small nasal protrusion on its head that resembles a horn. Their tails are also much longer than many of the other species in this genus.
The Pitted Pygmy Chameleon has flat, broad lips which are often described as looking like a duck’s beak.
Natural Habitat and Distribution
These lizards are native to Central and Eastern Africa. Each species has their own geographical distribution and preferred habitat.
However, there are some Pygmy Chameleons that can be found on the Western Coast of Africa in places such as Nigeria, Cameroon and Gabon.
In East Africa, these lizards can be found as far North as Uganda. Their range extends along the coastal countries of Kenya, Tanzania and down into Mozambique.
Further inland, they can be found in places such as Rwanda, Malawi and Zimbabwe. It is also believed that they are present in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
They share part of their range with species such as the Mozambique Spitting Cobra, the Orange Baboon Tarantula, the Spiny Bush Viper and the White Throat Monitor.
Pygmy Chameleon as Pets
A Pygmy Chameleon can make a great pet. As these lizards are small, they don’t need to be kept in a massive enclosure like other species of chameleon.
They are also usually very docile and can tolerate handling. However, wild caught imports are often sold as pets so it is important to source your new pet from a trusted breeder.
While these lizards usually tolerate handling, this should still be kept to a minimum as it can cause unnecessary stress to the animal.
These lizards are also very small and fragile so overhandling can increase the risk of an accident occurring such as the lizard falling. This could easily injure or even kill such a small lizard.
Pygmy Chameleon Enclosure
As the Pygmy Chameleon is a small species of lizard, they don’t require very large enclosures. This makes them a good option for people who don’t have a huge amount of space.
As these lizards don’t like to climb very high, the length of the enclosure is more important that the height.
You can keep a single adult in an enclosure that measures around 18″x12″x12″. You will need to increase the size of the enclosure by the same amount for each additional chameleon you want to keep.
It is best not to keep to males in the same enclosure as they may become aggressive. You will still need to monitor the occupants for signs of aggression or stress.
While these lizards generally don’t like to climb high into the ‘canopy’, they will move around low-lying bush and twigs.
Therefore, the enclosure should be filled with plenty of low-lying items to climb around such as branches, twigs, vines and plants. These items will also help the lizard feel secure in the enclosure.
Coco Fibre makes a great substrate for these lizards. You can also add a layer of dry leaves to the enclosure. This will help mimic their natural environment and add another level of ‘security’ for your chameleon.
Light and Heat
The Pygmy Chameleon is far less demanding that other chameleon species when it comes to light and heat. However, for exact requirements you should research the specific species of chameleon you are planning to get.
Because these lizards like to live on the forest floor, they do not need to be kept as warm as other lizards. These lizards do well when kept between 70-80F.
They do not seem to be as dependent on a temperature gradient as other reptiles. This is likely because the temperature remains relatively stable in their natural environment.
Lighting is a controversial topic when it comes to these lizards. Many people have successfully kept these lizards without providing them with any form of UVB.
In their natural environment on the forest floor, very little UVB can penetrate through the thick canopy so they are not exposed to much in the wild.
If you do choose to provide your chameleon with UVB, a low wattage bulb on the top of the enclosure will work well.
An adequate day/night cycle is important for them. You should aim for around 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness.
Water and Humidity
You do not need to include a water bowl in your Chameleons enclosure. In fact, these lizards are so small, there is a risk that they could drown in even a shallow bowl of water.
They will get all the water they need to drink from the droplets that form on the cage wall, branches and leaf litter when you spray down their enclosure.
These lizards like high levels of humidity. You should aim for around 80%. It is natural for this to drop between sprays but you shouldn’t let it go below around 60%.
You need to watch out for stagnant water building up on the bottom of the enclosure. This can become ‘swampy’ and a breeding ground for bacteria.
A light mist twice a day will work well. Try to mist in the morning and again in the evening. The aim is to increase the humidity in the tank, not to saturate everything to the point that a puddle is forming in the tank.
Pygmy Chameleon Diet
The Pygmy Chameleon is an insectivore so they will need to be fed a varied diet of different insects. You can offer them things like Crickets, Mealworms, Waxworms, Fruit Flies and Silkworms.
A good rule of thumb is to feed items that are around the size of the gap between the chameleons’ eyes.
To ensure your lizard is getting as much nutrients as possible, you will need to gut load the insects prior to feeding. They should also be dusted with a calcium and vitamin supplement before feeding.
