Starting a pygmy chameleon setup

[hgiigh33]

Hi everyone,

I have kept animals all of my life, i have kept several anoles years ago, but i would like to try and keep pygmy chameleons. Yes, i am aware of the issue of them not being very easy to find, but i know a friend who can get me some. Anyway, what would be a proper set up for these animals? I have read that they can be kept in an aquarium so i would like to keep them in a 20 to 30 gallon tank. Would this size be alright? Also, i would need to add a heating pad under the tank right?

Would someone be able to suggest the proper substrate/s for me to use in the tank and how much to use? I plan to have them breeding and would like the female to have ample room to dig and burry her eggs. Do i need live plants in the tank? Can I use all artificial plants?

What types of lighting would be best for my chameleons?

Also, how many male and female chameleons would be the right amount to put into this set up?

What would i need to do, if anything, to encourage breeding? Do i collect the eggs and place them in an incubator?

Please suggest any information that would point me in the right direction for keeping these animals.

Thanks a bunch for the help everyone!

 

[mychamtini112012]

I need to meet your friend, because I'm looking for some too. Lol.

The proper set up is a planted tank, that has dense foliage. Plants like pothos would be good in there. They don't have to have a uvb bulb but some use the 2.0 bulbs just to be safe. A plant light is need for the plants. They'll breed on their own, you can leave the eggs in there or incubate them yourself. Temps need to be around 76. Mist at least two times a day, for a good two to three minutes. 1.2 pygmys would do good in a tank like that. So one male two females. Did that answer everything.?

FL Chams, a sponsor of this site, has a very long and helpful care sheet on them. That's what I have researched.

 

[hgiigh33]

Thanks for the response. That did answer what i was looking for. I'll check out the FL Chams care sheet. Thanks

 

[camimom]

Its going to be hard to find pygmies anytime soon becuase they are not being imported.

 

[hgiigh33]

I am aware of the issue. It's a shame the populations are that way. What would be a good substrate to use for them to be able to bury their eggs and how much would i need to use of it above my drainage gravel layer?