Website design By BotEap.comOf all the chameleons in the world, the Parson’s chameleon is said to be the largest when it comes to weight. They reach the size of a domestic cat and the tail can stretch to be longer than the body. These large reptiles are native to eastern Madagascar and are very popular with collectors due to their size and also the great appeal of the chameleon’s appearance.

Website design By BotEap.comThese brightly colored lizards are characterized by their gray or brown colors when they are juveniles, but the colors and patterns change depending on the different life stage they are in. Dark bands run diagonally across the thick body of this chameleon. In adulthood, the colors that are present include greens and blues. Some males may exhibit orange eyelids and even yellow or white lips. A dorsal crest is sometimes present in males, as well as two rostral appendages. They look like two tiny horns.

Website design By BotEap.comThe natural habitat of this amazing reptile is low and medium altitude rainforests. They seem to have a preference for being near moving water, and are most often found alongside streams. They are rarely seen on the ground, preferring instead the canopy of trees and the safety and prey they provide.

Website design By BotEap.comThe parson’s chameleon is an omnivore that regularly munches on small lizards, birds, and perhaps even small mice when searching for a meaty meal. Other items on this bruiser’s menu include leaves, flowers, and many different types of fruit as well. For a water feature, many homeowners choose to use some type of drip system.

Website design By BotEap.comChameleons are notorious for not drinking standing water, preferring to hydrate as it drips off leaves or drips from a waterfall. Like other chameleons, Parson’s chameleon can extend its tongue one and a half times its body length to capture prey.

Website design By BotEap.comPerhaps mainly due to its size, Parson’s chameleon seems to be popular with people who own reptiles. It is a particularly slow specimen and can seem a bit lazy. However, this should not make you think that you can house this chameleon in a smaller cage. You still need a lot of room to move around. Room-sized cages that offer plenty of hiding places seem to make the parson’s chameleon happy.

Website design By BotEap.comWhen it comes to home habitat, the Parson’s chameleon has similar requirements to other chameleons. They need things to climb on, preferably live vegetation. They prefer the temperature to be warm, up to 85 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and no lower than 65 degrees at night. Humidity must be high to mimic its natural habitat in the wild. We recommend humidity levels of 80 to 100 percent.

Website design By BotEap.comThe cages must be built with resistant materials. No glass or plastic, as it does not allow any air exchange inside the cage. They live in trees, they need a lot of ventilation. Parsons are a solitary creature and will show signs of stress when subject to crowding, and with Parsons, two is a crowd unless it is time to mate.

Website design By BotEap.comBreeding males will clash to try to establish who is more dominant. The females only reproduce once every two years. They can lay up to 25 eggs. The eggs incubate for an incredible twenty months.

Website design By BotEap.comKnowing what to look for when selecting a Parson’s chameleon can help you enjoy this fascinating reptile. Remember, the shelf life of these guys can be more than six years. Check to see if the skin springs back when lightly pinched. If not, the chameleon is dehydrated. Also watch to see how active he is. Reluctance to climb or even move could be a sign that the reptile is not very healthy. Another point to look for is the eyes that are constantly open. Chameleons are said to never close their eyes during the day.

Website design By BotEap.comAs with any exotic, the best way to keep the Parsons Chameleon healthy is to maintain a habitat that closely resembles its native habitat. Find out about your geographic area and have your enclosure ready before you buy your Parsons Chameleon.