Meller's chameleon

- Trioceros melleri

The Meller's chameleon (Trioceros melleri) can be found in Malawi, northern Mozambique and Tanzania.

The Meller's chameleon It is the largest chameleon on the African continent., large males usually reach 61 cm length, but some exceptionally large specimens are said to have reached more than 76 cm in length and have weighed 600 g..

Females are generally smaller than males., and have less developed dorsal and medial crests. The head of this species is relatively small in relation to the rest of the body and has a more elongated shape compared to other chameleons of its genus..

The Meller's chameleon it is stocky-bodied and has a relatively stubby tail one-third the length of its body. A low, scalloped crest extends from just behind the helmet of the head through the proximal half of the tail, and a sharp medial ridge runs from the eyes to the tip of its snout, bearing a single small horn. This chameleon has greatly enlarged occipital lobes. It has heterogeneous scales that vary in shape and size on various parts of its body and large, granular scales evenly distributed on the trunk and limbs.. In the gular region of the chameleon there are longitudinal rows of large, granular scales., one of its most distinctive features.

The spots and broad vertical bands on the chameleon's flanks range in color from brown, the dark green, yellow or even black. The basic coloration of this species is a deep green with white stripes, but, like many chameleons, can change its color depending on various circumstances. If they are fed or handled, may show black and white dots. when sunbathing, the side of their body facing sunlight may turn dark green or black, while the rest of the animal remains much lighter.

The Meller's chameleon has color patterns associated with stress. Mild excitement or stress is indicated by dark spots that overlay the reptile's normal color. These dark green spots turn to black specks as the chameleon becomes more disturbed.. Severe stress turns the chameleon first charcoal gray, followed by pure white trimmed with yellow stripes. One Meller's chameleon diseased may be mottled brown, grey, pink or white.

The Meller's chameleon it is a resident of the treetops of the bush savannahs, as well as from the summits of tropical forests. It can also occasionally be found near human settlements.. Here the altitudes range from 0 to 600 m.

State of conservation ⓘ
Minor Concern ⓘ (UICN)ⓘ

The populations of Meller's chameleon are affected by the wildlife trade, and the species has been included in Appendix II of CITES to limit its effects.

These chameleons range from docile to moderately aggressive towards humans.. Often, require a great deal of taming before they accept people. Wild-caught can be more aggressive than those in captivity, since they are not used to people.

Usually, they are old enough to be self-confident and not scared of much. They are not used to many lizards being bigger than them. But, they can become aggressive when they feel threatened. They may hiss and try to appear large in an attempt to scare away predators.. They rarely do this with people, unless they are treated badly.

Despite the misconception, these chameleons do not blend in with their surroundings. On the other hand, its color change pattern is much more likely to be communication. These species of chameleons darken when they are angry and light up when trying to attract a mate.. You can often tell what your chameleon is thinking based on its color. It will probably cost you a bit, but in time you will learn to speak their language. This can help you determine if something is wrong.

just because of its size, they need large terrariums or should be kept in a greenhouse. In large terrariums they can be kept in pairs or in small groups of females.. Males are absolutely incompatible with each other. The terrarium should be designed with strong climbing branches and sturdy plants.

As they live in nature in the treetops, the terrarium must be well lit. Neon tubes or new T-5 neon tubes are suitable, that emit an extremely bright light.

Spraying briefly in the morning and longer in the afternoon, should try to get a 50-60% humidity during the day and a 80-90% At night.

Temperatures should not exceed 30°C during the day and can drop to 18°C ​​or lower at night.

These chameleons also prefer to drink water on the move, so it is advisable to accustom the animals to a dripper or install a small waterfall. A three-month rainy season, from March to May, simulates natural conditions and can have a positive effect on reproductive behavior.

Due to its large size, these chameleons eat important prey. They can even eat small birds in the wild, so you have to take it into account when offering them the right feeding insects. Giant cockroaches are usually a good option, as they spread further than most commonly available insects. You can also use hornworms and moths, since they are also quite large.

Grasshoppers and anything else that size is a good option. They can also eat smaller items, like the worms. But, these will not serve as sustenance, so it is better to use larger prey for the most part.

Feed them a few different prey items each day. For most chameleons, a smaller number of prey is better. are likely to be overweight. You need to feed them enough to maintain a healthy weight. Monitor your body condition and adjust food intake as needed.

It is advisable to supplement the diet of chameleons. But, are sensitive to excess supplementation, so it is essential to be careful with the dose. They need calcium without phosphorus a couple of times a week at least. A vitamin D3 may also be recommended, although it should only be used once a month. The intestinal load of insects is essential to ensure that they consume many vitamins and minerals, that are essential to your overall health.

These chameleons are a bit sensitive when it comes to their overall health.. Often, wild-caught chameleons arrive with injuries or other problems that were not originally expected. They often have parasites and are dehydrated. They can take a long time to regain their full strength.. In many cases, these chameleons are known as "lizards of 90 days", since many of them do not recover from their transportation ordeal.

You should carefully inspect your chameleon for any injuries upon arrival. The most common problems are loss and infection of the toenails.. Bites and scratches can also occur, but these are rarer. Can be treated with a multipurpose ointment, which should be enough for most wounds. In some cases, a visit to the vet may be necessary to treat the wound.

Parasites are a major problem in this disease. Periodic fecal analysis may also be necessary.. A heavy load of parasites can be dangerous for these lizards. But, you may want to wait until the chameleon stabilizes before using a harsh parasite medication. Sometimes, these chameleons do not survive treatment. You do not want to add additional stress to the animal's system.

Stress is the main concern with these animals. They can get stressed very quickly, especially after being imported. Stress can make them exposed to diseases, which can lead to illness and death. They need adequate housing with the correct temperature and lighting. You don't have to handle them too often., as this can also cause them stress.

Compared to other reptiles, these chameleons can be quite expensive. They usually cost between 150 and 500 EUR. Buying wild-caught chameleons is often not recommended. These are typically much less likely to thrive than captive-bred lizards. Usually, those caught in the wild go through a complex shipping process, they are disease carriers and have a high parasite load. For this reason, often have difficulty in captivity.

We recommend finding a local breeder if possible. These chameleons are not well behaved when shipped, so it is better to buy them locally. We recommend a breeder instead of a pet store, as this can reduce your cost. It also, you will be sure that the chameleon has been bred in captivity instead of being caught in the wild.

The breeder must allow you to see the enclosures in which the adults and babies are kept.. This will give you a good idea of ​​where the chameleon has been and the level of care it has received.

1. Meller's chameleon, Giant one-horned chameleon, (English).
2. Caméléon de Meller, Caméléon cornu géant (French).
3. Mellers Riesenchamäleon, Riesiges einhörniges Chamäleon, Meller’s chameleon, Elefantenohrchamäleon (German).
4. Camaleão de Meller, Camaleão gigante de um chifre (Portuguese).
5. "Camaleón de Meller", Camaleón gigante (español).