Böhme's Two-horned Chameleon — Care Sheet & Morphs

Q: How big does an adult Böhme's Two-horned Chameleon get?

An adult Böhme's Two-horned Chameleon typically measures 13–20 cm.

Husbandry requirements

Böhme's Two-horned Chameleon — origin: Endemic to Tanzania — humid montane forests of the Eastern Arc Mountains (notably the Usambara massif). A strictly montane species, accustomed to a cool, misty climate with wide humidity swings..

Terrarium temperature gradient

Night min12 °C

Cool side18–22 °C

Warm side23–26 °C

NO true hot spot: a cool montane species, very sensitive to overheating. The daytime temperature must NEVER exceed ~27 °C; beyond that, there is a rapid risk of heat stress and death. A marked night-time drop is essential (ideally 10-15 °C). Do not install a powerful heat lamp; if a slight resting spot is offered, it must stay ≤ 26-27 °C. In summer, provide cooling (air-conditioned room, ventilation) to keep the nights cool.

Enclosure (adult)

45 × 45 × 60 cm

Vertical arboreal terrarium, highly ventilated (screen/mesh front or aerated glass-mesh). Avoid a fully closed all-glass setup that traps heat.

Minimum dimensions for a single adult; bigger is always better. Favour height. Furnish densely with thin, criss-crossing branches, vines and foliage (live plants such as Ficus, Pothos) offering plenty of hiding spots and shaded areas. Good air circulation is essential to prevent stagnant humidity and fungal infections.

Humidity

60–90 %

High, fluctuating humidity, typical of cloud forest. Mist several times a day; let the décor dry out partially between sprayings to prevent mould. Maximum humidity at night (fog/fogger, 80-100 %), more moderate during the day (50-70 %).

Substrate

Draining bioactive soil/substrate (with drainage)Damp sphagnum mossNo substrate (bare tank, more hygienic and easy to clean)

An arboreal species that spends its life up high: the substrate mainly serves to manage humidity and drainage. Ensure good runoff of misting water to prevent any stagnation. A planted bioactive base helps stabilise humidity.

UVB

Recommended

Low to moderate UVB is essential (a high-altitude forest with filtered light): a low-percentage T5 tube (approx. 5 %) or equivalent source giving a UV index of about 1 to 2 (Ferguson zone 2), placed at a good distance and filtered by the foliage. Provide shaded areas where the animal can completely escape it. Replace the UVB lamp every 6-12 months.

Water source

Always available

Does not drink from a bowl: it drinks droplets off the foliage. Provide water via a drip system (dripper) and regular misting. Dehydration, common and serious in this species, shows up as sunken eyes and an orange/yellow urate (which should stay white).

Origin

Chamaeleonidae

Endemic to Tanzania — humid montane forests of the Eastern Arc Mountains (notably the Usambara massif). A strictly montane species, accustomed to a cool, misty climate with wide humidity swings.

Feeding & health

Diet

Insectivore — Small crickets, flies (fruit flies for juveniles, houseflies for adults), small roaches, occasional wax moths

Prey of a suitable size (never wider than the space between the eyes). Well-fed insects (gut-loaded) then dusted with calcium without D3 at most meals, with an occasional supplement of calcium+D3 and multivitamins. Flies, much appreciated, stimulate hunting. Avoid overfeeding.

Breeding

Oviparous

Clutch 6–15 eggs/young. The female buries her eggs in a loose, moist substrate; provide a suitable laying site. Long, cool incubation (often several months, ~20-22 °C), sometimes with a diapause. Gravid females are fragile and prone to egg retention (dystocia).

Health watch points

Heat stress / overheating (the major cause of decline and death in this montane species)
Dehydration and renal complications (gout) linked to insufficient drinking
Internal parasites (very common in wild-imported animals)
Metabolic bone disease (MBD) from a calcium/UVB deficiency
Dystocia (egg retention) in females

Morphs & genetics

Registry of 0 documented gene for Böhme's Two-horned Chameleon.

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about keeping the böhme's two-horned chameleon.

How big does an adult Böhme's Two-horned Chameleon get?▾

An adult Böhme's Two-horned Chameleon typically measures 13–20 cm (total length, tail included. a small to medium species. males bear two flattened, blade-shaped rostral horns (not to be confused with the 3 horns of trioceros jacksonii); females lack them and are often a little stockier.).

What temperature and humidity does a Böhme's Two-horned Chameleon need?▾

A gradient of roughly 18–22 °C on the cool side to 23–26 °C on the warm side. Humidity 60–90 %.

What does a Böhme's Two-horned Chameleon eat?▾

Insectivore: Small crickets, flies (fruit flies for juveniles, houseflies for adults), small roaches, occasional wax moths.

Is the Böhme's Two-horned Chameleon a good reptile for beginners?▾

Advanced level. Shy, wary and very easily stressed, especially by heat. To be observed rather than handled; any handling should remain exceptional and brief. Solitary and territorial: house a single individual per terrarium (except for supervised breeding). Plan ahead: a lifespan of 3–5 yrs.

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