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The Carpet chameleon (Furcifer lateralis) is native to the island of Madagascar, in the Indian Ocean, and its range covers much of the island.

Both males and females of the Carpet chameleon reach a maximum length of between 17 and 25 cm.. Males are generally green with a white midline and a series of dark bands extending from behind the head to the end of the tail.. Females usually have a heavier body and are more colorful (especially when pregnant), with dark bands and white or yellowish lateral ocelli and a poorly defined orange half-lateral stripe on a brownish background. The throat and lips of both sexes are usually scratched. These chameleons can change color and intensity depending on mood and certain environmental factors..

The Carpet chameleon is strictly arboreal, and especially likes small trees and shrubs. It is usually found at an altitude of between 600 and 1200 m, usually in areas of moderate shade and high humidity, with access to direct sunlight. This species has also infiltrated the cities of Madagascar, and performs quite well in the private gardens and shrubs of the parks.

This species, like most chameleons, is strictly diurnal. Usually, they spend the first part of the day warming their bodies by adopting a very dark coloration and exposing as much surface area as possible to sunlight.. once the desired body temperature has been reached, begin to hunt prey, activity that usually lasts the rest of the daylight hours.

• Males are very territorial and adopt a series of very elaborate postures., color changes and whistles to try to scare away rival males. They also scare away females that are not in a position to reproduce..
• The Carpet chameleon is a species that generally follows the same routine every day, to the point of sleeping on the same branch every night.

The Carpet chameleon matures in a very short period of time, and is usually able to reproduce by three months of age. Males are usually very territorial and usually try to attract females to their territory to mate.. Females deposit the clutches of eggs in a depression that they dig into the ground. Typical clutch size ranges from 8 and 23 eggs, and up to three clutches can be laid in a year. Incubation requires about six months at a temperature close to 24°C .

The Carpet chameleon is almost entirely insectivorous, and prefers insects that normally reside in trees or shrubs. Among them are most flies, grasshoppers and crickets, as well as various insect larvae. It is also known that adult specimens consume very small lizards and even small newborn rodents (in captivity). This species hunts its food with the typical chameleon style of slowly crawling through the branches of trees or shrubs., using their excellent eyesight to detect insects. When you select the desired prey, the Carpet chameleon gets as close as possible to its prey and catches it by quickly spreading its tongue (which may be equal to the length of the lizard), capturing the insect on the sticky tip and then quickly retracting its tongue

State of conservation ⓘ
Minor Concern ⓘ (UICN)ⓘ

The Carpet chameleon is a relatively popular species in the pet trade, and most of the individuals available today are bred in captivity.

Without a doubt, chameleons help control insect populations in areas where they are common.

Currently, the Carpet chameleon is found quite well in its native habitat, and even seems to benefit from some degree of habitat alteration. It has proven to be quite versatile when moving to urban areas and establishing populations there..

The Carpet chameleon, formerly known as Chamaeleo lateralis, is a beautiful species in high demand for the pet trade. Wild-caught specimens that enter the pet trade are often in poor health when they arrive at retail markets., and mortality has been very high. Captive-bred pups are easier to keep alive. These animals seem to have a relatively short lifespan even under natural conditions., and few Furcifer lateralis live more than 3 years

Terrarium "Carpet chameleon" Furcifer lateralis Watch this video on YouTube.

The Carpet chameleon is reserved and shy, so it's not the kind that hangs on your shoulder. Once they are out of their habitat, can become stressed very quickly, which can cause a wide range of problems for your overall health.

These creatures prefer to be on a branch or trunk sunbathing in their enclosure. They move quietly from branch to branch, no need for space to climb. They like to stay out of sight, hiding under branches and inside hiding places.

How chameleons spend their lives in trees, you will need a terrarium taller than wide. You'll need a space that measures at least 45 x 45 x 90 centimeters for an adult—but more is always better.

The terrarium should be lined with gravel or clay granules for optimal drainage.

Like many other cold-blooded creatures, there must be several temperatures available in the enclosure. They have to be able to regulate their body accordingly..

• Sun area: 32º – 35º
• Terrarium top: 26º – 29º
• Bottom of the terrarium: 21º – 24º

Chameleons need leafy, healthy plants within their enclosure to climb and shade..

Some common plants for chameleons are:

Weeping fig tree (Ficus Benjamina)

Manioc

Rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis)

Hibiscus

Jade plant (Crassula ovata)

Before buying, you have to keep in mind that you will also be responsible for keeping your plants healthy, as well as your chameleon.

Yet Carpet chameleon loves hot and humid weather. Your enclosure must maintain humidity levels between the 50% and the 60% continuously. You have to put a hydrometer in your terrarium to control the levels.

Chameleons need lighting that mimics natural light and night cycles. They benefit considerably from double fluorescent lamps.

Yet Carpet chameleon loves all kinds of tasty insects.

Among the appropriate dietary options are:

Crickets

Mealworms

Cockroaches

Fruit flies

Beetles of beans

Juveniles should eat one serving of insects a day, as much as they can in one sitting. Normally, this supposes a total of some 12 insects a day.

Adults should eat every other day, and eat much less, approximately 6 insects per intake.

The Carpet chameleon can be a very picky animal and difficult to maintain. They are ultrasensitive to stress and the environmental environment. So, one of the main things you need to do is make sure your chameleon feels as comfortable as possible..

Before you take your Carpet chameleon at home, you have to find an exotic veterinarian in your area. You can't take a reptile to traditional veterinarians, since they do not have the necessary specialization to serve them efficiently.

These chameleons are susceptible to various diseases and problems.

These are the most common problems:

Stress

Upper respiratory infections

Metabolic bone disease

Dehydration

Egg retention

Stomatitis

Edema

Gout

If you notice any peculiar behavior or physical abnormalities, do not hesitate to take him to the veterinarian.

Reproduction of the "Carpet chameleon" Furcifer lateralis (Chameleon Carpet) with EGGS🥚😱 Watch this video on YouTube.

If you have no experience, you may want to avoid breeding a Carpet chameleon until you've had a few. Since chameleons are so difficult to care for, their breeding can carry even more risks.

But if you are familiar with the species, can try to breed.

A good recommendation is to wait for the female to lay her first eggs before mating.. After a few weeks, you can reintroduce the female with the male. The mating of a Carpet chameleon can last up to an hour, so when it docks, be patient and don't bother.

Sperm retention is common, which means that one breeding session can fertilize several subsequent clutches. After the females put their first clutch between the 8 and 12 months, remain gravid throughout their lives.

They can give birth up to 30 offspring at the same time after a gestation of 4 to 6 months.

The price of a Carpet chameleon may vary depending on several factors. But, the average cost ranges between 100 and 500 EUR. Sometimes, you can get lucky and find a person who wants to give their chameleon to a good home for free.

Keep in mind that you also need plenty of supplies to get started.. Don't skip the basics, as these are fragile creatures that need proper care.

For installation, including enclosures, the substrate, decoration, vegetation and diet, you can spend between 300 and 800 EUR.

Carpet chameleon (Furcifer lateralis) Care Watch this video on YouTube.	Furcifer lateralis Watch this video on YouTube.

1. Carpet chameleon, White-lined chameleon, Jewelled Chameleon (English).
2. Caméléon à bandes latérale, Caméléon-joyau (French).
3. Teppichchamäleon (German).
4. Camaleão do tapete, Camaleão de linha branca (Portuguese).
5. "Camaleón de alfombra", Camaleón de líneas blancas (español).

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The Malagasy giant chameleon (Furcifer oustaleti) is endemic to Madagascar, where is the most widespread chameleon species. It has been recorded in all parts of the island at a variety of dry and wet sites at all elevations.. A localized population introduced into Kenya is probably extinct.

Considered the longest chameleon in the world (although exceptionally longer adults such as the Parson's chameleon – Calumma parsonii). This species reaches lengths close to 70 cm., and is also the second heaviest member of the family (after the Parson's chameleon). But, many specimens found are likely to be adults or smaller subadults. The helmet is high, with a pronounced parietal crest. Rostral ridges are present and extend to the tip of the muzzle, but do not connect. A lateral crest is present but poorly developed.

The most important diagnostic feature is the Crest Ridge, which extends to the vent and consists of 45 or more short, triangular spines with a regular space between them. Ventral and gular ridges are present, but they are not connected to each other.

The coloration in both sexes is usually gray or brown, although females are usually more showy and may show a red coloration on the head and limbs. But, females may be variable with a yellow or mottled coloration, and in some cases can be largely green. The pattern may include a row of four large circles of dark edges along the flanks., although a white line is absent in contrast to the Carpet chameleon (Furcifer Lateralis). There are often indistinct dark vertical bands on the flanks. The absence of a white stripe on the central part of the body is considered diagnostic, but see the warning in Taxonomy below.

The Malagasy giant chameleon belongs to a species complex consisting of three recognized species; However, the variation between populations and the wide distribution of both the Malagasy giant chameleon as of the Warty chameleon (Furcifer verrucosus) suggest that both may represent multiple cryptic species. In a population found by the author during fieldwork, animals assigned to Furcifer oustaleti (a diagnosis subsequently supported by Frank Glaw) consistently showed a small size, unusual coloration and pattern; Unlike in the F. oustaleti Typical, sometimes there was a white stripe in the central part. Since these animals coexist with the F. oustaleti Typical, it is not clear whether they represent a distinct population or species, or if this coloration and pattern is a constant feature of the subadults of this population.

In Madagascar, the Malagasy giant chameleon It is distributed in the coastal lowlands. It is found throughout the island, but its appearance in the eastern part of Madagascar is linked to relatively high temperatures. Being a species well adapted to the warm climate of the savannah, benefits from human changes to the landscape (deforestation). It is said that there is an abandoned population in Kenya (ngong forest, near Nairobi) and that a breeding population also exists in South Florida.

The Oustalet’s chameleon (Furcifer oustaleti), also known as Malagasy giant chameleon, leads a mainly sedentary life. Moves very slowly, or does not move at all, for long periods of time, allowing you to conserve energy and stay out of sight of predators, and also be himself a predator. When an insect passes, an unsuspecting lizard or small bird, his very long sucker-tipped tongue is launched to catch him. Language, which is loaded with springs and shoots forward like an arrow bow, can extend to almost twice the length of the entire chameleon.

Until recently chameleons were thought to be totally carnivorous.. Recently, Takahashi (2008) reported the first confirmed case of herbivory in the Furcifer oustaleti, who was observed to select and consume fruits from the bushes Grangeria porosa, Chassalia princei and Malleastrum gracile.

The maximum and average sizes of the layings are unknown, but it is known that females can put at least 61 eggs in a single laying, with a combined weight of 56 g. This registration is from February, but no other information is available on the length of the breeding season.

Gestation lasts a few 40 days and animals reach sexual maturity one year after hatching.

State of conservation ⓘ
Minor Concern ⓘ (UICN)ⓘ

Apart from a small number legally exported as pets, the Malagasy giant chameleon is endemic to Madagascar, where it enjoys a stable population in various habitat types.

They are also found in a number of protected national parks across the country., but they are abundant enough across the country to earn the conservation status of «least concern«.

Chameleons are usually considered easily excitable animals. It is notorious that, in some particularly territorial species, the constant vision of a congener (for example, when two animals can be seen in adjacent terrariums) can lead to stress-related kidney failure and, Therefore, death! But, the Malagasy giant chameleon is a comparatively peaceful and quiet representative of the chameleon clan. Males do not get along with each other, and pregnant females are strictly solitary. But in terrariums large enough (a greenhouse is, of course, more suitable in view of the size of animals), these chameleons can be kept in pairs. The Malagasy giant chameleon it also shows this coldness towards humans.. Even if they are carefully caught in the hand, do not get too excited. The threatening mouth opening, that we know of many other chameleons, it only occurs with the Malagasy giant chameleon if you are provoked a lot. Field researchers say you can normally put a Malagasy giant chameleon on the shoulder; will stay there quietly for hours.

Since the Malagasy giant chameleon is comparatively common, the local population likes to take advantage of the voracity of these chameleons and put them in their gardens, where they eat unwanted animals up to the size of a mouse and thus keep them at bay.

To the Malagasy giant chameleon all the usual principles of chameleon care apply to you. This includes the need for relatively large feeding., What, However, is easy to satisfy for this species, since animals will eat all the usual food bugs, like crickets, domestic crickets, grasshoppers and zofas, as well as young nest mice; in the nature, small birds and reptiles are also eaten.

All insects that serve as food should always be sprinkled with one of the vitamin lime powders available on the market.

The need to drink water, which is also high, makes the care of chameleons always time-consuming, since most animals do not easily learn to drink from bowls. So, chameleons must be given to drink at least every other day with a pipette. But, there are some tricks to avoid it. Many chameleon caregivers use drip drinkers, of which a drop of water drips into a collection container placed underneath at intervals of 1-2 seconds. Chameleons recognize this simulated "rainwater" and drink. The most natural way to give chameleons a drink is by spraying the water that animals collect from the leaves of plants., etc. But this is also labor-intensive and can cause the terrarium to get too wet.. An elegant way is to install an artificial waterfall with a small aquarium pump. But, these systems are somewhat prone to failure and the pumps always break down – as in Murphy's Law- when you least need it, for example, during the holidays. A very clever way to make water move in the drinker and, therefore, that chameleons recognize it, is to aerate the container with an aquarium air pump available on the market. Simply hang the air hose in the bucket and adjust the air supply so that about two air bubbles per second come out of the hose.. A pleasant side effect of this method of watering is that it simultaneously increases the humidity of the terrarium, which should also be around the 70% of relative humidity for the Malagasy giant chameleon during the day; At night, humidity can rise up to 100%.

Due to their natural habits, the Malagasy giant chameleon can be classified as one of the easiest chameleon species to care for, as it does not react immediately with discomfort and subsequent illnesses if it gets too hot in the terrarium.

Daytime temperatures should range between 22 and 28°C, and under the spot they can rise up to 45°C. But, you always have to make sure that the animals can go to a relatively cool and well-ventilated place in the terrarium..

The female puts up 61 eggs after a gestation period of about six weeks. Eggs take between 210 and 280 days to hatch at an incubation temperature of about 28°C. Many breeders use vermiculite as a breeding substrate. Juveniles grow very quickly and reach sexual maturity at one year of age. In general, care and breeding are similar to those known Panther chameleon (Furcifer pardalis).

Although they are the largest chameleons, The "Malagasy giant chameleon" not necessarily one of the most expensive. You can find one in specialized stores for prices ranging from 150 – 300 EUR.

Oustalets Chameleon (Furcifer oustaleti) Hand-Feeding Watch this video on YouTube.	Furcifer oustaleti, Oustalet's Chameleon in central west Madagascar Watch this video on YouTube.

1. Malagasy giant chameleon, Oustalet’s chameleon, Malagasy giant chameleon (English).
2. Caméléon géant de Madagascar, Caméléon d’Oustalet (French).
3. Riesenchamäleon, Madagaskar-Riesenchamäleon (German).
4. Camaleão malgaxe gigante, Camaleão do Oustalet (Portuguese).
5. "Camaleón gigante de Madagascar", Camaleón de Oustalet (español).

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The Von Höhnel's chameleon (Trioceros hoehnelii) found mainly in Kenya, but is represented by a wide range of local variations. The form found on Mount Elgon, in Uganda, is called Trioceros hoehnelii «altaeelgonis«. Whether there are subspecies within this species is disputed.. But, regardless of official status, the breeder and caretaker community has adopted the term "altaeelgonis» for varieties from Uganda.

The Von Höhnel's chameleon has a very pronounced helmet, which is much more marked in males than in females. Also noteworthy is a small nasal process, which is also higher in males. There are a large number of local and location variations. Especially the helmet and the nasal process are quite different. The species has a coarsely spiny dorsal crest that extends the entire length of the body and tapers towards the end of the tail.. The throat and ventral crest are formed by large spiny scales.. Both sides of the body usually have 2 greatly enlarged plate-like scale rows. Scale and body coloration are highly variable, consisting mainly of shades of brown and green with partially light transverse bands.. There are reddish or brown animals, as well as a well-known color form with a yellow head and green body.

Male hemipenis pouches are clearly developed by the time they reach sexual maturity. Females show a much more homogeneous scaling, secondary sexual characteristics are less pronounced in them. Males grow to a maximum length of 25 centimeters, females reach a maximum length of 20 centimeters. The life expectancy is of 2 to 4 years.

The Von Höhnel's chameleon is a high-altitude species that ascends to more than 3.000 m on Mount Elgon. They have developed the ability to regulate their body temperature through sunlight to take into account low ambient temperatures.

The Von Höhnel's chameleon shows very interesting defensive behavior in the wild. The greatest danger for this species of chameleon is the snakes that live in the trees, as the green mamba. If the chameleon sees a snake, immediately turns deep black, he rolls up his body and drops to the ground, where the snake does not usually follow. Next, the animal remains motionless on the ground until the danger has passed.

State of conservation ⓘ
Minor Concern ⓘ (UICN)ⓘ

This species has a wide distribution and seems to have the ability to adapt to a degradation of its natural habitat., since it also occurs in agricultural and semi-urban areas. It has therefore been classified as a "species of least concern" by the UICN.How is it being captured for the wildlife trade?,The species has been included in Appendix II of CITES to limit its effects.

"The Ugandan Variation of the Trioceros hoehnelii rarely seen, since Africa's exports come from Kenya, having different varieties of color. There are several populations at different heights, each with a different color scheme.

Care is very similar to Montane side-striped chameleon (Trioceros ellioti). Thrives in a well planted terrarium. They have been kept in groups from one male to multiple females, but the females can have two litters a year and, therefore, are almost always at some stage of pregnancy and must be separated. So, despite reports that they are not aggressive, the saying is still valid: One chameleon per cage and not to worry.

They seem to be enjoying their morning sunbath. Taking into account the drastic drop in nighttime temperature in your home environment, they are experts in absorbing all the sun's rays they can. And the decrease in night temperature is important for health. Special care must be taken with the young and the heat.

Hydration is through a standard chameleon protocol of around three hours of night misting in the early morning with 15 minutes of fogging in the morning and 15 minutes in the afternoon.

Breeding is not difficult. The gestation is 4 to 6 months. Young females can produce 6 offspring while a mature female can produce 20. They can have two litters of pups a year and become receptive again 40-50 days after delivery. The young are sexually mature after one year..

the bigger, best!. Minimum (45 x 45 x 90 cm.).
Full or hybrid mesh (combination of mesh and glass or panel).
UVB source (inside or outside).
natural light source (inside or outside).
Heat source (exterior).
Nebulizer at night.
Manual fogging in the morning and at night.
full mesh.
Small fans when using a hybrid cage and/or the air is stagnant.
live plants (not fake)
natural branches (no fake vines, no strings, or bleached wood).
No substrate or bioactives

In captivity, animals eat crickets, domestic crickets, all kinds of flying insects and small cockroaches. It also, get vitamins and minerals (pollinating insects). Animals can cover their water needs by lapping up the sprayed water.

The Helmeted Chameleon is viviparous in the egg., and there is also fertilization by storage; can get pregnant again right away. In courtship, the male approaches the female, nodding and flattening to one side. When the female is ready to mate, he remains seated and mating occurs, this process can be repeated for several days. Gravid females repel males willing to mate.. If the stress is too great for a pregnant female, must be separated. During pregnancy, females have a greater need to drink and feed. After a gestation period of 150 to 180 days, females give birth between 4 and 22 pups. Before this, the female becomes restless and egg laying takes place in the early morning hours, preferably on thick bark or rough branches. The young are released from the egg case and are immediately independent.. Sexual maturity is reached around 8 months. But, should not be mated before one year.

The price of a "Von Höhnel's chameleon" at the exotic animal market, ranges between 50 – 150 EUR.

MOUNTAIN CHAMELEONS 🦎 Trioceros hoehnelii ⛰ Care, information... Watch this video on YouTube.	George the Trioceros hoehnelii Chameleon Watch this video on YouTube.

1. Von Höhnel's chameleon, Helmeted chameleon, High-casqued chameleon, Kenyan high-casqued chameleon (English).
2. Caméléon à casque élevé (French).
3. Helmchamäleon (German).
4. Chamaeleo hoehnelii (Portuguese).
5. "Camaleón de casco" (español).