The Carpet Chameleon is a species of Chameleon that is native to Madagascar. They are sometimes called the White Lined Chameleon.
These colorful chameleons can be found along the Eastern Coast of the island.
Carpet Chameleon Taxonomy
The Carpet Chameleon belong to the infraorder Iguania. This is a grouping of lizards which contains species such as Iguanas, Chameleons, Agamids and Anoles.
As its name suggests, it belongs to the Chameleon family of lizards. There are over 200 different species of Chameleon lizards that are divided into 12 different genera.
The majority of Chameleons are native to Africa and Madagascar but they can also be found in the Middle East, India and parts of Southern Europe.
Some of the popular species of Chameleons include the Panther Chameleon, the Jacksons Chameleon and the Pygmy Chameleon.
The genus that the Carpet Chameleon belongs to is called Furcifer. This is one of the largest genera of chameleons, containing over 20 species.
Most of these species are native to Madagascar, but there are a few exceptions. The lizards in this genus all have forked feet.
The scientific name for the Carpet Chameleon is Furcifer lateralis. It was first described by John Edward Gray in 1831. There are no recognised sub-species.
Carpet Chameleon Description
The Carpet Chameleon can grow to around 20-25cm in length. Males and females can easily be told apart by their coloration.
Males are typically more lime green in color while females will display a variety of different vibrant colors. These colors often come in the form of white, yellow, orange and red bands or blotches.
They have a typical chameleon appearance with their large eyes and curly prehensile tail. They also have the characteristic forked feet seen in many chameleon species.
The Carpet Chameleon has the ability to change color. However, this is not to blend into the background as many people think. It is a result of their current mood or environmental factors.
Natural Habitat and Distribution
The Carpet Chameleon can be found in the Central-Eastern part of Madagascar. They have a sta le population and can be found at altitudes of up to almost 2,000m.
They can be found as far North as Antananarivo. Their range then extends Southwards towards Vangaindrano.
Their primary habit consists of sub-humid forests and lowland forests that have plenty of vegetation and cover from predators.
Other species that can be found on the island of Madagascar include the Dumeril’s Boa and the Satanic Leaf Tailed Gecko.
Carpet Chameleon Housing
Height is the most important aspect when it comes to a Carpet Chameleon enclosure. These lizards live to climb and will need plenty of branches and foliage in their enclosure.
You will need a setup that is at least 3 feet high to provide them with the climbing space that they need. The floor space should be no less than 18″x18″.
Ventilation is also very important for chameleons and they need a constant supply of clean air to stay active and healthy.
Because of this, many people use ‘screened’ or ‘mesh’ enclosures as they are great for circulating air. However, it can be a little more difficult to keep temperatures and humidity correct.
Glass or plastic enclosures work well also providing you have enough ventilation to keep the air circulating. Wood usually isn’t great for these lizards due to their high humidity requirements.
Substrate
As the Carpet Chameleon requires high levels of humidity, you are going to need a substrate that can hold this humidity well without soiling.
The substrate you choose is entirely up to you but will be influenced by the type of setup you use. These factors will include whether you have live plants, its bioactive, if you are using a drainage layer etc.
In general, substrates such as coco fibre, potting soil, cypress mulch or a soil/sand mixture can make a great substrate for these chameleons.
Light and Heat
You will need to provide your Carpet Chameleon with a thermal gradient so that they can regulate their body temperature.
An overhead heat source such as a ceramic heat emitter, heat bulb or radiated heat panel is ideal for these lizards as they will spend most of their time off the ground.
Using these kinds of heat sources, the temperature will be warmer at the top of the enclosure and get cooler towards the bottom, as the lizard moves away from the source of the heat.
You will want the warm side of the enclosure to measure around 85-90F while the cooler side can drop to between 75-80F.
The cool side of the enclosure can drop to around 70 at night if you are turning off the heat source.
However, the temperature should not fall below this level and will need to be brought back up again the next morning.
It is vital that you provide your Chameleon with a source of UV lighting to prevent serious conditions such as MBD.
A UB bulb placed on the top of the enclosure can be used to supply this kind of lighting. It should be turned off for 12 hours every night to give them a proper day/night cycle.
Water and Humidity
You do not need to provide your Carpet Chameleon with a water bowl as they won’t drink from them. Instead, they will drink the droplets that form when you mist their enclosure.
As they like humidity levels of around 50-60%, you will need to mist their enclosure a couple of times a day.
It is vital that you monitor the humidity levels in the enclosure to ensure they are kept at optimal levels. Overhead heat sources can ‘suck’ the humidity out of the air so you need to monitor it closely.
Carpet Chameleon Diet
A Carpet Chameleon can be fed a diet of insects. It is important to offer them a number of different types of insects to ensure they are getting as much nutrients as possible.
You can feed them things like Crickets, Fruit Flies, Mealworms, Super Worms, Roaches and Bean Beetles.
The food should be gut loaded and dusted with an appropriate vitamin and mineral supplement before offering them to your chameleon.
An adult can be fed 5-6 insects every second day or so. It is important to monitor your lizard’s weight and adjust their feedings accordingly.