Best Chameleon Species for Arizona weather

Thatwizard420

Chameleon Enthusiast
I'm just wondering which species would be best for this time of climate?
Of course I would Mist and have the proper temps, and lighting.

I have 3 Boa constrictors and they all have perfect sheds always, my relative humidity is 20-30% during the day and 50% at night. That's without misting the enclosures.
I also keep and breed crested geckos and they're healthy and thriving so I know I can keep up with humidity.
My only concern is Temps.... My house sits at around 74-80 F.

I'm just wondering what would be a good fit.
 
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I don't think there's a best chameleon for any of our climates, just a best way to set up an enclosure based on your climate. Like using glass, more water, etc. For dry climates, versus more ventilation for humid. Ideally our homes would have a some humidity, but under 60%. Not only for our animal's health, but also for our health and the home's. For some that would mean adding a humidifier, others it would mean adding a dehumidifier.

If you're talking about keeping outside longterm, there's probably not any chameleons suited for extremely dry climates unless your misting a lot, possibly even through the night.
 
Arizona gets cool at night? A montane could do well with that given you fog through the night and/or mist heavy. There's ways to make it work.
 
I really want a Brookesia therezieni, But I doubt I will find a captive bred one.

It does get cool here at nights, but nothing too crazy during summer.
Temps don't really change much inside my house.
 
I live in places that is arid, such as the central valley foothills of California and Las Crusas, New Mexico. I would not expose montane chameleons to the American southwestern desert days or nights. The days and nights are just way to dry. When considering chameleons for being kept outside in Arizona, I would consider Furcifer antimena, Furcifer verrucosus, Furcifer oustaleti, Chamaeleo calypatratus, Chamaeleon dilepis, Chamaeleo namaquensis (very difficult species to locate or obtain in the states). There could be more avaiable chameleons that are capable of living in an Arizona climate.

Best Regards
Jeremy A. Rich
 
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I live in places that is arid central valley foothills of California and Las Crusas, New Mexico. I would not expose montane chameleons to the American southwestern desert days or nights. The days and nights are just way to dry. When considering chameleons for being kept outside in Arizona, I would consider Furcifer antimena, Furcifer verrucosus, Furcifer oustaleti, Chamaeleo calypatratus, Chamaeleon dilepis, Chamaeleo namaquensis (very difficult species to locate or obtain in the states). There could be more avaiable chameleons that are capable of living in an Arizona climate.

Best Regards
Jeremy A. Rich
Thanks for your input.

It will definitely be an inside chameleon.
 
I'm just wondering which species would be best for this time of climate?
I'm going to guess you're talking about the arid third of AZ as opposed to the semi-arid half or humid sixth(?)
https://www.britannica.com/place/Arizona-state/Climate

A Namaqua chameleon would be ideal, but IDK how available they might/might not be.
There are a couple/few other species mentioned in this thread from the archives:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/desert-species.51236/
See Also:
https://www.google.com/search?clien...n+the+pet+trade?+site:www.chameleonforums.com
https://www.google.com/search?clien...ameleon+for+sale+site:www.chameleonforums.com
 
The summer days and nights would just dry up a montane species. I had a difficult time keeping montane species inside the house in an AC room in Las Crusas. There are some very old posts fro a Chameleon Forums member Syn about her difficulties of keeping chameleons in the American south west. You should search the Chameleon Forums.

Best Regards
Jeremy A. Rich
 
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