Common Name: Goetze´s chameleon

Scientific Name: Trioceros goetzei

Food: flies, crickets and small locusts

Distribution: Tanzania (Uzungwe Mts., Poroto Mts., Rungwe Mts., Ubena Mts., Ukinga Mts., Uzungwe Mts.), Malawi (Nyika Plateau )

Habitat:

Color Discription: has two lateral stripes, the upper stripe is continous while the lower stripe is interrupted. Some populations have a black gular spot.

Physical Discription: The males have a clearly visible hemipenal bulge and are slightly smaller than the females. Both sexes sport small occipital lobes.

Size: 8"

Temperatures/Humidity: Day temperatures should be in the mid 70's with a night drop to at least 60ºF. Misting twice a day and a dripper are essential for their humidity needs.

Breeding/Reproduction: If kept together, mating can take place without observation due to the calm temper of the animals. The only hint that copulation has taken place may be some superficial skin lesions on the female. Gestation takes 6 - 8 months, depending on the average temperature. The babies are born in the morning hours in the usual ovoviviparous way. They can be raised in small groups with Drosophila and pinhead crickets. The babies seem to very sensitive to dehydration and should, therefore, not be raised in all screened cages unless an ultrasonic humidifier is used. The offspring reach sexual maturity within the first year. 1 - 2 clutches are born per year.

Cage Setup: Can be kept in pairs in a densely planted screened cage

Water: Drip system and misting

Special Needs: ultrasonic humidifier