Meller's Chameleon (Trioceros melleri)
| Meller's Chameleon Trioceros melleri | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Meller's Chameleon |
| Name Lat. | Trioceros melleri |
| Synonym | Chamaeleo melleri |
| Family | Chameleons |
| Family lat. | Chamaeleonidae |
| Order | Scaled Reptiles |
| Order lat. | Squamata |
| Origin | Southern Africa |
| Habitat | Shrub savanna |
| Diet | Insects |
| Humidity | 50-80 % |
| Behavior | ♂ territorial |
| Keeping | Individual, pair |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Oviparous |
| Housing | Semi-humid terrarium |
| Life Span | 10-12 years |
| Protection | CITES Appendix II; EU Annex B |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 60 cm |
| Temperature | 25-29 °C |
| Temperature Local | 35-40 °C |
| Housing Size | 140 x 80 x 180 cm |
| US Units | |
| Size | 24" |
| Temperature | 77-84 °F |
| Temperature Local | 95-104 °F |
| Housing Size | 55" x 30" x 70" |
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of the diurnal Meller's chameleon is in the bush savannahs of Tanzania, Malawi and northern Mozambique, from the lowlands to about 800 m altitude. They live in the densely foliated canopies of high trees and as cultivators on mango trees.
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 140 x W 80 x H 180 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 a drip trough. 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), a rain or mist system is ideal.
| Temp. day: 25-29 °C | Temp. night: 18-22 °C | Temp. local: up to 40 °C | Humidity: 50-80 |
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 a thickened tail root with a distinct hemipenis pouch.
The female buries her eggs (up to 70 pieces) in the substrate, which must accordingly consist of a substrate suitable for burrowing. The incubation period is 80-90 days at a temperature of 25-28 °C. Fruit flies and micro echinoderms are suitable as initial food
The life expectancy can be 10-12 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
Males are incompatible with each other.
For the resting phase, the lighting duration is reduced by 2-3 hours and the temperature is lowered by 4-6 °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: petdata
Source: BMELV (1997): Mindestanforderungen an die Haltung von Reptilien; ENGELMANN (2006): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Reptilien und Amphibien, Harri Deutsch Verlag
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF