Fischer's Chameleon

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Common Group: CHAMELEONS
Common Name: Fischer's Chameleon, East Usambara Two Horned Chameleon
Scientific Name: Kinyongia species; K. fischeri, K. matschiei, K. vosseleri, and K. multituberculata
Distribution: Kenya, Tanzania, and Nguru and Usambara Mountains
Size: 9" - 11"

Natural habitat

Found in the high mountain areas of Tanzanian and Kenyan rainforests. In recent years, several distinct and different species have been identified, and the original fischer's chameleon is not in fact the same species as the chameleons commonly found for sale in the pet trade. Most commonly available "fischer's" chameleons are in fact Kinyongia matschiei or Kenyongia vosseleri. While the differences are mainly in pattern and nose tubercles, fortunately for the average chameleon keeper, care remains the same.

Behavior

Prefers to be housed individually; in large enough enclosures, pairs can be kept together. Care must be taken to provide lots of visual barriers to allow the chameleon(s) to hide. Males are territorial and must be housed individually at all times. Shy, secretive species that can tolerate occasional handling. Prefers a quiet area to live in and requires at least a 24 x 24 x 36" sized cage.

Captive environment

Fischer's chameleons are sturdy and hardy captives when provided with a suitable environment. Like all chameleons, Fischer's require full spectrum UVB lighting. This can be achieved using traditional strip lights in combination with suitable basking light. In a large enough cage, mercury vapor bulbs are an excellent option to provide both adequate heat and uvb without multiple, cumbersome fixtures.
Fischer's thrive with plenty of space and visual barriers in their cage to hide from prying eyes. Cages need to be at least 24 x 24 x 36, with a larger size being preferable.

When it comes to foliage and visual barriers within the cage, a lush, tropical paradise is what should come to mind when you look inside. Use of live plants such as ficus trees and various others. Branching pieces of wood provide perches for the chameleon to choose various temperature ranges throughout the cage, and you should have at least one or more pieces that allow the chameleon to choose exactly where in the cage he would like to be. Use of several fake vines, magnetic plants, and other foliage helps significantly with creating the kind of jungle environment these chameleons prefer.

Temperature

These chameleons thrive best when provided a wide range of temperatures to select the one they need best. A high temperature of 90 degrees or more at the top of the cage is ideal, as long as the bottom of the cage is below 80 degrees. A good thermometer is vital to determining cage temperature, and no chameleon cage should be without at least one!

Humidity

While Fischer's thrive under humid conditions, their need for ventilation is more important. Due to the air flow throughout the cage, it is extremely difficult to keep humidity within the cage at high levels, but misting and fogging the cage help immensely with relative humidity.

Water requirements

These chameleons do not drink from standing water, and require either hand spraying or a dripper system to provide them with suitable amounts of water. They need to be sprayed down at least once a day, preferably 2 to 3 times each day to keep them well hydrated. Use of a fogger system can also help with adding humidity and water to the cage for the chameleon to drink.

Nutritional requirements

Fischer's chameleons eat an extremely varied diet in the wild, and every attempt possible should be made to duplicate a varied diet in captivity. These chameleons will eat crickets, giant mealworms, roaches, and live pinky mice. All insect prey should be dusted with a high quality calcium supplement daily, and a high quality multivitamin once or twice a week.
If you are housing your chameleon indoors, be sure to use a calcium supplement containing the vitamin D3. If it is being housed outdoors 24/7 (not just outside for a couple hours at a time during good weather), then use of a calcium supplement without D3 is recommended.