Description: These are considered "false" chameleons and are quite small, around 3" long. They are from tropical forests in the Eastern Usambara and Uluguru mountains in northeastern Tanzania. The basic color is light to darker brown or greenish with males showing a darker pattern that intensifies when they get excited. Females will usually only show a pattern when they get exited. Both sexes will turn light yellow if overly stressed and can compress themselves to mimic a leaf. On very extreme occasions they may feign death, drop to the ground and remain motionless. They also have the ability to buzz or vibrate, it is not known why they do this. Their short tails are only prehensile enough to curl into a hook. These chameleons often stay in one spot for days at a time and may stay in their favorite area most of the time, occasionally descending to the ground to hunt. Other false chameleons are often mistakenly sold as R. brevicaudatus; be sure to identify yours by the small "beard" under the chin, consisting of a few elongated scales. Their short life span lasts only 2 to 3 years.

Temperature: 72°-76°F (23°-26°C), a bit cooler at night 66°-70°F (20°-22°C). No seasonal fluctuations are needed. Avoid temps above 80°F.

Humidity: Moderately high, around 70%.

Lighting: It is unknown if UV rays are needed but they may bask occasionally. Use fluorescent grow lights on a timer to provide a regular day and night cycle.

Feeding: Small crickets and fruit flies are fine as a staple diet but a variety of other appropriately sized insects should be offered. They will often be seen perched in a head-down position waiting for insects on the ground to come near. Feed adults every 2 to 3 days and juveniles every day. A good vitamin/mineral supplement should be given once or twice a week for adults and more often for juveniles.

A water dish is not needed but the enclosure needs to be misted at least once daily to provide water droplets for drinking.

Habitat: A 10-gallon tank is sufficient for a pair. A much larger tank is needed if more than one male is to be kept together because they don’t get along well. Females get along fine. Set it up as a heavily planted tropical vivarium with lots of thin branches and a screen top. Keep the substrate moist but not soggy.

Sexing: Males have longer tails, a more prominent dorsal crest and a darker pattern. Females are larger and heavier with subdued colors.

Breeding: Males try to breed often throughout the year so it helps reduce stress to have more than 1 female. Females usually lay 2 or 3 eggs about 40 days after mating but can retain sperm and produce clutches whenever conditions are favorable, perhaps several times from a single mating. Gravid females will search for a secluded spot where the substrate is just right to lay her eggs in. It needs to be moist but not soggy and at least 3" deep. Keep the eggs at 66°-74°F (20°-24°C) and hatching should take place in 3 ½ to 5 ½ months. Hatchlings are tiny and can be fed pinhead crickets and fruitflies.

ENJOY YOUR PET LIFE FORMS, Dave & Donna