Keeping and Breeding of Rainforest Chameleon (Furcifer balteatus Duméril & Bibron, 1851) at BION Terrarium Center
BION Terrarium Center has many years of experience in keeping rainforest chameleon (Furcifer balteatus Duméril & Bibron, 1851)99 as Furcifer balteatus (Necas, 2004).
It is reported from Ranamafana where the average temperature is +14 – +20 °C (57.0-68.0 F) with annual rainfall of about 4,000 mm (160.0 in) (Furcifer balteatus (in German). Pantherchameleon.de. Retrieved 2012-11-11).
Its distribution area is estimated of 1,971 km2 (761 miles2) but has a “patchy distribution”. They occupy forested areas of relatively mild climate at elevation between 800 and 1100 m a. s. l.
Keeping
Adult individuals are kept individually terrariums (glass or breeze type) 65*65*80 cm (26*26*32 in). Interior decoration includes branches, living or artificial plants, water dripping system. We don’t provide any additional heating and keep chameleons at a room temperature.
Lighting
We provide 12 hours of daylight using a simple 40W lamp. UVB light can be used, but from our experience it is not necessary.
Temperature
Daytime temperature is +24 – +26 °C (75.2 – 78.8 F), nighttime: +21 °C – +23 °C (69.8-73.4 F).
Diet
Diet consists of gutloaded crickets, cockroaches, zophobas. We don’t give any additional vitamins, only Calcium+D3 supplementation. We offer food every other day (4–5 insects per head).
