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Trioceros quadricornis
A chameleon endemic to the montane forests of western Cameroon and south-eastern Nigeria. Males usually carry four horns on the snout. It is a cool-climate species, vulnerable to heat and not easy to keep.
Trioceros quadricornis is a chameleon restricted to highland areas along the Cameroon line in western Cameroon and eastern Nigeria. It is tied to relatively intact montane forest at 1,150 to 2,400 m, and research suggests this narrow elevational band reflects competition with other chameleons rather than physiological limits. Total length including tail is 25 to 36 cm. Like most chameleons it has a prehensile tail and single claws, and it usually bears four prominent horns, though some animals have two plus up to four adjacent reduced horns. Males have a pronounced hemipenal bulge and a gular beard, and some females carry one or two horns on the snout. It feeds almost exclusively on arthropods. Its small, fragmented range and intensive collection for the pet trade, despite protected status in Cameroon, have led the IUCN to assess it as Vulnerable.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Four-Horned Chameleon grows to 25-36cm.
The ideal temperature for the Four-Horned Chameleon is 13〜24℃. Ideal humidity is 50%.
Origin
Highlands of western Cameroon and south-eastern Nigeria along the Cameroon line, including the Western High Plateau, the Bamboutos massif, Mount Manengouba, the Oku massif, the Bakossi Mountains and the Obudu Plateau in Nigeria, in montane forest at 1,150-2,400 m
Size
25-36cm
Temperature
Sources: Reptiles Magazine: Four-Horned Chameleons / Chameleon Academy: T. quadricornis, The Four Horned Chameleon / Wikipedia (English)
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: Trioceros quadricornis (Tornier, 1899)
Synonyms: Chamaeleo quadricornis Tornier, 1899, Chamaeleo eisentrauti Mertens, 1968, Chamaeleo quadricornis gracilior Böhme & Klaver, 1981
Authority databases: GBIF · Reptile Database
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Chamaeleonidae spp. has been listed under Appendix II since February 4, 1977 (Species+). Because it is listed under Appendix II, no registration certificate as an internationally rare wild animal or plant species is required. In Cameroon, it is designated as a Class A protected species under domestic law. This species is not included in the specified animals listed in the Ordinance for the Enforcement of the Act on the Welfare and Management of Animals.
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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13〜24℃
Humidity
50%
Crickets, dubia roaches and other arthropods
It prefers a cool 13-24 C with humidity around 50 percent, and tolerates winter temperatures from about minus 1 C up to 13 C provided humidity stays above 50 percent. It is prone to hyperthermia, so never place the enclosure by a window or anywhere the temperature can spike. Keep a thermometer and hygrometer inside the enclosure.
Indoors, mount a dome lamp for a hot spot and reptile fluorescent tubes at the top of the enclosure. Fit branches of a thickness comfortable for its feet at varying heights and use live plants for shade. As a cool-climate species, plan how you will manage room temperature in summer before acquiring one.
It feeds almost exclusively on arthropods. In captivity use crickets and dubia roaches as the staple, gut-loaded and dusted with calcium. It drinks droplets, so hydration depends on misting or a dripper.
Keep it singly and never house males together. Handle as little as possible and observe through the enclosure. Because it is heat-sensitive, handling itself adds thermal stress.
This is a cool-climate species, and treating it like an adaptable chameleon such as the veiled will cause hyperthermia. If you cannot supply stable humidity, do not keep it. Listed on CITES Appendix II as Chamaeleonidae spp. since 4 February 1977, so no registration certificate is required. The IUCN Red List assesses it as Vulnerable.
Advanced. This is an advanced-level species. It requires specialized equipment and advanced husbandry skills with precise environmental control.
The ideal temperature for Four-Horned Chameleon is 13〜24℃. Recommended humidity is 50%. Avoid sudden temperature changes and maintain a stable environment.
Four-Horned Chameleon typically reaches 25-36cm as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.
Four-Horned Chameleon feeds on: Crickets, dubia roaches and other arthropods. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.
The price of Four-Horned Chameleon varies significantly depending on morph, size, and lineage. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.
Last updated: September 16, 2026