
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Furcifer lateralis
A small chameleon endemic to eastern Madagascar. Males are green with whitish and yellowish markings, but females are the showier sex, darker with markings in blue, yellow and orange.
Furcifer lateralis is a small chameleon endemic to eastern Madagascar. Both sexes reach 17 to 25 cm and live between 120 and 1,925 m in forest, scrub, grassland and well-vegetated gardens. Males are largely green with whitish, yellowish and dark markings. Females are heavier-bodied and darker, blackish or sometimes reddish, with markings that run through white, blue, yellow and orange, making this one of the species where the female is the showier sex. Both sexes have stripy throats and lips, and a lateral line with several ring-shaped markings along the flank. They change colour with mood and conditions, gravid females most strongly of all, and normally start the day dark. Its range exceeds 130,000 square kilometres and it tolerates some habitat degradation, so the IUCN assesses it as Least Concern.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Carpet Chameleon lives 5-8 years.
The Carpet Chameleon grows to 17-25cm.
The ideal temperature for the Carpet Chameleon is 21〜35℃.
Origin
Eastern Madagascar, between 120 and 1,925 m elevation, in forest, scrub, grassland and well-vegetated gardens
Lifespan
5-8 years
Sources: Reptiles Magazine: Carpet Chameleon Information And Care / Wikipedia (English) / Reptile Database
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Accepted name: Furcifer lateralis (Gray, 1831)
Synonyms: Chamaeleo lateralis Gray, 1831, Chamaeleo lambertoni Angel, 1921
Authority databases: GBIF · Reptile Database
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Family Chamaeleonidae spp. has been listed on CITES Appendix II since February 4, 1977 (Species+). Because it is on Appendix II, registration as an international rare species is not required. This species is not included in the specific animals listed in the Schedule of the Enforcement Ordinance of the Animal Protection and Management Law.
Sources: CITES Appendices (Chamaeleonidae spp., Appendix II, effective 4 February 1977) / IUCN Red List
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
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Size
17-25cm
Temperature
21〜35℃
Humidity
40〜70%
Crickets, fruit flies, dubia roaches and other insects
Use a lamp to create a localised basking spot of 32-35 C, keep the top of the enclosure at 27-29 C and the lower, shaded part at 21-24 C. Rather than managing to a humidity figure, mist two or three times a day for 30 seconds to a minute so the leaves and glass are covered in droplets, with enough ventilation that the substrate dries out before the next misting.
Keep adults singly in a glass terrarium of about 45 x 45 x 60 cm or 45 x 45 x 45 cm. Screen cages work too but then need a stronger basking lamp and more frequent, longer misting. Include live plants and arrange thin branches of varying diameter at different heights so the chameleon can choose its temperature and light.
Being small, it needs small feeders: crickets, fruit flies and small dubia roaches, gut-loaded and dusted with calcium. It drinks droplets left by misting, so hydration and the misting routine are the same problem.
A small, nervous arboreal species, so keep it singly. Handle as little as possible and observe through the glass instead. It starts the morning dark and colours up as the day goes on.
Listed on CITES Appendix II as Chamaeleonidae spp. since 4 February 1977. No Japanese registration certificate is required, but an annual collection quota applies to animals taken for the pet trade. Furcifer major and Furcifer viridis, once included in this species, are now separate, so check locality and scientific name rather than relying on the trade name.
Intermediate. This is an intermediate-level species. Some prior experience and knowledge of environmental management are recommended.
The ideal temperature for Carpet Chameleon is 21〜35℃. Avoid sudden temperature changes and maintain a stable environment.
The average lifespan of Carpet Chameleon is 5-8 years. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.
Carpet Chameleon typically reaches 17-25cm as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.
Carpet Chameleon feeds on: Crickets, fruit flies, dubia roaches and other insects. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.
The price of Carpet Chameleon varies significantly depending on morph, size, and lineage. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.
Last updated: September 17, 2026