Fischer's Chameleon (Kinyongia fischeri)

Fischer's Chameleon Kinyongia fischeri
Name	Fischer's Chameleon
Name Lat.	Kinyongia fischeri
Synonym	Bradypodion fischeri
Family	Chameleons
Family lat.	Chamaeleonidae
Order	Scaled Reptiles
Order lat.	Squamata
Origin	Tanzania
Habitat	Mountain rainforests
Diet	Insects
Humidity	75-95 %
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	35 cm
Temperature	26-28 °C
Temperature Local	30-35 °C
Housing Size	100 x 60 x 100 cm
US Units
Size	14"
Temperature	79-82 °F
Temperature Local	86-95 °F
Housing Size	40" x 25" x 40"

Distribution and habitat

The distribution area of the diurnal Fischer's chameleons is in southeastern Africa (Tanzania and Kenya). There they live on bushes and trees of the humid savannahs and mountain rainforests from 400 m to over 2,300 m altitude, where extreme fluctuations of temperature and humidity prevail

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 100 x W 60 x H 100 cm is recommended, which should be placed in a quiet and vibration-free place.

You need a well ventilated terrarium, structured with branched climbing branches as well as robust (also artificial) plants as a screen, structured back and side walls (e.g. cork covering), a substrate of sand-peat mixture (15 cm deep) and a small water container or better a dripper. A larger part of the substrate should always be kept slightly moist. Once a day, preferably in the evening, the inside of the terrarium should be finely sprayed with water (humidity), but a rain or mist system is better.

Temp. day: 26-28 °C

Temp. night: 14-18 °C

Temp. local: up to 35 °C

Humidity: 75-95

The lighting duration must be 10-14 hrs. depending on the season. They need a high light intensity. Special lamps with high UV-A and UV-B content are ideal.

Diet

The food supply consists of live insects, such as crickets, smaller grasshoppers, cockroaches and crickets. It is often possible to switch to commercially available ready-made food for insectivorous reptiles, which must be offered with tweezers. 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 male has a thicker tail root with a clearly visible hemipenis pouch.

The female buries her eggs (up to 27 pieces) in the substrate. After 210 days of incubation and a temperature of 25 °C the young hatch. Small insects such as fruit flies and micro crickets 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

Important for their well-being are strong fluctuations of temperature (day-night) and humidity, which should be about 95% in the morning and drop to 75% during the day. Sunny spots up to 35 °C are occasionally visited

They are very susceptible to stress

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: Christian Sänger; Image: Franz Lowak

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

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF