Description:
Scientific name: Trioceros quadricornis
Life span: 3-7 years
The four-horned chameleon, like many other chameleons, has a prehensile tail and only one claw on each toe. Adults typically grow to a total length (including tail) of 10 to 14 inches; it typically has four noticeable horns, although occasionally just two can be seen with up to four neighboring decreased horns (25–36 cm).
Native Region/Habitat
Only a few highland regions along the Cameroon line in eastern Nigeria and Cameroon are home to the four-horned chameleon. Particularly T. q. eisentrauti is indigenous to Cameroon’s Rumpi Hills. T. quadricornis has an estimated area of occupancy of 1,000 km2 and an extent of occurrence of 13,300 km2 (5,135 sq mi) (386 sq mi).
Behavior:
The four-horned chameleon is like all other chameleons in that it dislikes being handled by people. This kind of lizard is typically compared to an unusual fish. You can admire and observe its beauty, but you can’t take it out of its tank to cuddle with it.
The cham behaves pretty slowly and even a little docilely when enclosed. After some time adjusting to its surroundings, it will liven up, and you should particularly enjoy watching it eat.
Care As a pet/In captivity:
Tank:
The tank itself must be at least 2 feet square and 3 to 4 feet tall. If you can offer your cham more space than the basic minimum, your trapped critter will appreciate it. A glass tank may be useful because glass enables heat to escape.
Heating:
You must duplicate the chilly, frequently heavy raining conditions of the Cameroonian rainforest. In fact, the rainforest can receive up to 400 inches of precipitation annually. Maintaining high humidity levels with regular misting and adding a bowl of water to the tank will be necessary to recreate this. Because the sun can make your cham too hot, you will also need to make sure to keep the tank away from windows. Test various locations in the room or residence with a thermometer until you locate the perfect location. Around 70 degrees Fahrenheit should be the temperature, and 50% humidity should always be the level.
The temperature in the basking area can grow as high as 80° F, so you should install a basking light, but you also need to make sure your cham can leave the area as necessary.
Feeding:
Being a carnivore, the quad will consume a variety of insects. They particularly like mealworms, locusts, and crickets. They might also consume flies and snails, therefore feeder insects should be nutrient-rich to make sure the cham is receiving its daily recommended intake of vitamins and nutrients. Before being fed to the quad itself, supplements like vitamin D and calcium are frequently dusted on or given to insects.
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