Cameroon Sailfin Chameleon (Trioceros montium)

Cameroon Sailfin Chameleon Trioceros montium
Name	Cameroon Sailfin Chameleon
Name Lat.	Trioceros montium
Synonym	Chamaeleo montium
Family	Chameleons
Family lat.	Chamaeleonidae
Order	Scaled Reptiles
Order lat.	Squamata
Origin	Cameroon
Habitat	Shrubland
Diet	Insects
Humidity	60-80 %
Behavior	Aggressive
Keeping	Individual
Care Level	Experts only
Reproduction	Oviparous
Housing	Humid terrarium
Life Span	6-8 years
Protection	CITES Appendix II; EU Annex B
Metric Units
Size	25 cm
Temperature	24-27 °C
Temperature Local	30-35 °C
Housing Size	120 x 60 x 120 cm
US Units
Size	10"
Temperature	75-81 °F
Temperature Local	86-95 °F
Housing Size	45" x 25" x 45"

Distribution and habitat

The diurnal mountain chameleons are only found in the mountain forests in the highlands of Cameroon between 700 and 1,500 meters above sea level. There they live in the cloud forests and as cultural successors in gardens and farmland as well as in hedges at the roadside.

Maintenance

Minimum dimensions for the terrarium, according to the size and number of animals:

One animal

4KRL x 2,5KRL x 4KRL (L x W x H)

Head-torso length (KRL) is measured on the largest animal. For pair keeping, increase the floor space by 20%. A terrarium of e.g. L 120 x W 60 x H 120 cm is recommended, which should be placed in a quiet and vibration-free place.

They need a well ventilated terrarium structured with branched climbing branches as well as robust plants with dense foliage (hiding and shade places), structured back and side walls (e.g. cork covering), a substrate of soil-peat mixture (15 cm deep) and a small water container or a drip trough. A large portion of the substrate should always be kept slightly moist. Several times a day the inside of the terrarium should be finely sprayed with water (humidity), but a rain or mist system is better

Temp. day: 24-27°C

Temp. night: 15-18 °C

Temp. local: up to 35 °C

Humidity: 60-80

The lighting duration must be 10-14 hrs. depending on the season. They need high light intensity and daily UV irradiation as well as sunny places with radiant heat.

Diet

The food supply consists of live insects, such as crickets, smaller grasshoppers, cockroaches and crickets. Sometimes the switch to commercial ready-made food for insectivorous reptiles, which must be offered with tweezers, is successful. Wax moths should be fed infrequently and in very small amounts because of their large fat content. Regular addition of minerals and vitamins (dusting the food) is important. Since water is almost only absorbed in drop form from leaves or furnishings, a dropper is recommended, alternatively they can be watered daily from a pipette

A regular and varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Reproduction and breeding

The larger males have two fully developed horns, a distinct dorsal and caudal sail, and a thickened caudal root with a distinct hemipenis pouch.

The female buries her eggs (up to 20 of them) in the substrate, which accordingly must consist of a substrate suitable for burrowing. The incubation period is 180-200 days at a temperature of 22-27°C. Fruit flies and micro echinoderms are suitable as initial food

The life expectancy can be 6-8 years.

Species protection

The animal population must be reported to the competent authority in writing immediately after the start of keeping. Your pet store will be happy to provide you with further information.

Protection of species: WA Appendix II; EU Appendix B. The proof of purchase is the required proof of origin for the animal. Please keep it safe!

Important

They are very shy and susceptible to stress. When the temperature is too high, it cools down in earth pits

For the resting phase, the lighting duration is reduced by 2-3 hours and the daytime temperature is lowered by 6-8 °C for approx. two months.

With fruit and honey water as food for the feeders, their quality can be upgraded.

The terrarium must have good ventilation without drafts and meet the species specific needs. Measuring devices such as thermometers, hygrometers, etc. are necessary. The lighting has to correspond to the species-specific day-night rhythm and has to be placed in such a way that the animals cannot injure themselves. The terrarium should be locked in such a way that neither unauthorized persons can open it nor the animals can escape. Contamination must be removed regularly

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: petdata; Image: Franz Lowak

Source: BMELV (1997): Mindestanforderungen an die Haltung von ReptilienENGELMANN (2006): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Reptilien und Amphibien, Harri Deutsch Verlag

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF