Lizards
Oustalet's chameleon care guide
Furcifer oustaleti
One of the largest chameleons (up to 27 in). Needs a big, well-ventilated enclosure.
Arboreal — vertical height first
New to reptiles? Check your keeper level first →Oustalet's chameleon enclosure size
Arboreal — vertical height first. An adult oustalet's chameleon should live in at least 36" L × 24" W × 48" H; we build toward 48" L × 24" W × 72" H (4 × 2 × 6 ft, roughly 8 sq ft of floor and about a 359-gallon glass equivalent).
- Hatchling / baby
- 18" L × 12" W × 18" H recommended · min 12" L × 12" W × 18" H
- Juvenile
- 30" L × 18" W × 24" H recommended · min 24" L × 18" W × 24" H
- Adult
- 48" L × 24" W × 72" H recommended · min 36" L × 24" W × 48" H
Temperature and heating
Overhead heat (halogen, deep heat projector or radiant panel) on a thermostat, creating a warm-to-cool gradient.
- Basking / warm surface
- 90–95°F basking spot
- Warm side (ambient)
- 80–85°F
- Cool side (ambient)
- 72–78°F
- Night
- 65–70°F
Lighting and UVB
UVB: Strong UVB required (T5 HO 10–12% across most of the enclosure). Run lights on a 12 hours on, 12 hours off photoperiod, on a timer, and replace UVB bulbs on the manufacturer's schedule even while they still emit visible light.
Humidity
Target 50–80%. Misting or a misting system plus a dripper; screen or hybrid enclosure for airflow. Chameleons rarely drink from bowls.
Substrate and depth
Bare floor or bioactive soil. Depth: 2–3 in.
Diet and feeding
Gut-loaded insects (crickets, dubia, black soldier fly larvae) dusted with calcium; vitamins weekly. Large adults take roaches and the occasional pinky.
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Dense live plants
- Thick horizontal branches
- Dripper for drinking
Build list
- Enclosure at adult size — Buy for the adult footprint to avoid repeated upgrades.
- Digital thermostat — Every heat source must run through a thermostat — unregulated heat burns animals.
- Two digital probe thermometers + hygrometer — Read the warm side, cool side and humidity directly.
Oustalet's chameleon FAQ
How big should an adult Oustalet's chameleon enclosure be?
At least 36" L × 24" W × 48" H, and we recommend building to 48" L × 24" W × 72" H — about 4 × 2 × 6 ft, or a 359-gallon glass equivalent. Arboreal — vertical height first.
What temperatures does an Oustalet's chameleon need?
Basking or warm surface 90–95°F basking spot, warm side 80–85°F, cool side 72–78°F, night 65–70°F. Overhead heat (halogen, deep heat projector or radiant panel) on a thermostat, creating a warm-to-cool gradient.
Does an Oustalet's chameleon need UVB?
Strong UVB required (T5 HO 10–12% across most of the enclosure). Photoperiod: 12 hours on, 12 hours off.
What humidity does an Oustalet's chameleon need?
50–80%. Misting or a misting system plus a dripper; screen or hybrid enclosure for airflow. Chameleons rarely drink from bowls.
What substrate is best for an Oustalet's chameleon?
Bare floor or bioactive soil, at a depth of 2–3 in.
How big does an Oustalet's chameleon enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 18" L × 12" W × 18" H recommended, minimum 12" L × 12" W × 18" H. Scale up to the adult footprint as the animal grows.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own oustalet's chameleon record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.