Natal Midlands Dwarf Chameleon (Bradypodion thamnobates)

Natal Midlands Dwarf Chameleon Bradypodion thamnobates
Name	Natal Midlands Dwarf Chameleon
Name Lat.	Bradypodion thamnobates
Family	Chameleons
Family lat.	Chamaeleonidae
Order	Scaled Reptiles
Order lat.	Squamata
Origin	South Africa
Habitat	Shrub and deciduous forests
Diet	Insects
Humidity	60-80 %
Behavior	Semi-aggressive
Keeping	Individual, pair
Care Level	Experts only
Reproduction	Ovoviviparous
Housing	Semi-humid terrarium
Life Span	3-4 years
Protection	CITES Appendix II; EU Annex B
Metric Units
Size	18 cm
Temperature	26-28 °C
Temperature Local	30-35 °C
Housing Size	80 x 60 x 100 cm
US Units
Size	7"
Temperature	79-82 °F
Temperature Local	86-95 °F
Housing Size	30" x 25" x 40"

Distribution and habitat

The diurnal Natal Dwarf Chameleons occur in a very small area in Natal Province (South Africa), from Bulwer to Dargle and along the Mooi River. There they live in the bushes, shrubs and 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 80 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 and a small water container or better a drip trough. 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 it is better to use a rain or mist system.

Temp. day: 26-28 °C

Temp. night: 14-18 °C

Temp. local: up to 35 °C

Humidity: 60-80

The lighting duration must be 10-14 hrs. depending on the season. They need 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, grasshoppers 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 male has a thicker tail root with a clearly visible hemipenis pouch.

The female incubates her eggs (up to 26 eggs) in the abdominal cavity (ovoviviparous). After 3-6 months of gestation, she randomly pins the young, which are surrounded by a sticky covering, into the branches; they then hatch immediately from their egg membrane. Small insects such as fruit flies are suitable as initial food.

The life expectancy can be 3-4 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 active and need a correspondingly large terrarium.

Outdoor keeping in summer, in a species-appropriate aviary, is beneficial for the well-being of the animals due to the temperatures prevailing in Central Europe. For the resting phase, the lighting duration is reduced by 2-3 hours for about two months and the daytime temperature is lowered by 6-10 °C as well as the air humidity is reduced

With fruit and honey water as food for the feeding animals, 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: 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