
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Calumma parsonii
A giant chameleon endemic to the humid primary forests of northern and eastern Madagascar, generally considered the world's largest by weight. Males have a casque and two warty horns running from above the eyes to the nose.
Calumma parsonii is a giant chameleon endemic to northern and eastern Madagascar, living mainly in humid primary forest from the lowlands up to 1,195 m and also appearing in disturbed habitats that retain trees. Males carry a casque on the crown and two warty horns running from above the eyes to the nose. The nominate subspecies, which has no dorsal crest, reaches 65 cm, while cristifer from the Andasibe area has a small dorsal crest and usually stays under 50 cm. For a chameleon it is exceptionally long-lived and slow to reproduce, living about 20 years. Females bury 20 to 38 eggs some 30 cm deep, and these take 400 to 520 days to hatch. It needs cool, humid conditions and a very large enclosure, making it a species for experienced keepers.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Parson's Chameleon lives About 20 years.
The Parson's Chameleon grows to Up to 65cm in the nominate subspecies; usually to 50cm in cristifer.
It is generally considered the world's largest chameleon by weight, adult males reaching 500-700 g.
The ideal temperature for the Parson's Chameleon is 20〜24℃. Ideal humidity is 50〜100%.
Origin
Northern and eastern Madagascar, from the lowlands to 1,195 m, mainly in humid primary forest but also in disturbed habitats with trees
Sources: Chameleon Academy: Should You Get A Parson's Chameleon? / Wikipedia (English) / Wikipedia (German): Parsons Chamäleon
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: Calumma parsonii (Cuvier, 1825)
Synonyms: Chamaeleo parsonii Cuvier, 1825, Chamaeleon parsonsi var. cristifer Methuen & Hewitt, 1913, Chamaeleo madecassus Lesson, 1832
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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Lifespan
About 20 years
Size
Up to 65cm in the nominate subspecies; usually to 50cm in cristifer
Temperature
20〜24℃
Humidity
50〜100%
Crickets, dubia roaches and other insects, plus small vertebrates
It wants cool, humid conditions, so work around the low twenties Celsius, roughly 20-24 C. Humidity should run from about 50 percent by day up to 100 percent at night. Greenhouse-style setups that run hot do not suit this species, so confirm at the design stage that you can keep it cool.
The minimum is about 120 cm wide by 60 cm deep by 120 cm tall, and many keepers build walk-in enclosures. It is not a restless species, but it needs space proportional to its bulk. A bird cage may be large but cannot hold humidity, so it is unsuitable. Furnish with live plants and thick horizontal branches.
It hunts insects and small vertebrates in the trees by day. In captivity use crickets and dubia roaches as the staple, gut-loaded and dusted with calcium. It has a reputation as a heavy drinker, so ample hydration is essential. Budget for the feeding costs continuing across a 20-year life.
It lives alone outside the breeding season and should be kept singly. It is slow and placid, but handling should be kept to a minimum; moving it on a perch rather than by hand is less stressful.
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 Near Threatened. Wild-caught animals are hard to acclimatise, so captive-hatched stock is strongly preferred; a reliable incubation method has been published in recent years and captive-bred animals are now produced regularly.
Advanced. This is an advanced-level species. It requires specialized equipment and advanced husbandry skills with precise environmental control.
The ideal temperature for Parson's Chameleon is 20〜24℃. Recommended humidity is 50〜100%. Avoid sudden temperature changes and maintain a stable environment.
The average lifespan of Parson's Chameleon is About 20 years. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.
Parson's Chameleon typically reaches Up to 65cm in the nominate subspecies; usually to 50cm in cristifer as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.
Parson's Chameleon feeds on: Crickets, dubia roaches and other insects, plus small vertebrates. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.
The price of Parson's Chameleon varies significantly depending on morph, size, and lineage. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.
Last updated: September 16, 2026