| Rieppeleon | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Sauria |
| Family: | Chamaeleonidae |
| Genus: | Rieppeleon |
| Species: | R. brevicaudatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Rieppeleon brevicaudatus Matschie, 1892 |
|
Rieppeleon brevicaudatus, commonly known as the bearded leaf chameleon or bearded pygmy chameleon, is a chameleon originating from the eastern Usambara and Uluguru mountains in northeastern Tanzania. It is easily distinguished from others in the Rieppeleon genus by the presence of a "beard" below the mouth, consisting of a few raised scales. At a full grown length of only a few inches (~3" or 8cm), it is marked by somewhat drab coloring in comparison to other chameleons, usually assuming a brown or tan coloring. It is quite capable of changing its coloration though, often taking on a shade to blend into the background and becoming darker when under stress. It is also capable of compressing its body laterally and producing a stripe down its side, mimicking a dead leaf. It often assumes this form when sleeping in the open. It can adopt a variety of colors including yellow, green, orange, black, and brown. A common misconception is that these chameleons use their color changing abilities as camouflage, but they actually use their color changing skin to court, and show stress or emotion. As the chameleons are not known to be poisonous, they are also thought to use vibrant colors in an attempt to intimidate potential predators. Males are distinguished by a longer tail, more prominent dorsal crest, slimmer body type, and persistent patterning. Like others in the Chamaeleonidae family, it is distinguished by independently rotating eye sockets and a tongue longer than its body.
R. brevicaudatus prefers a temperature between 70 and 80°F with a slight drop at night. It is unknown if they utilize UV light, and many keepers report success with simple halogen or fluorescent lighting. Basking lights may be provided but are generally not necessary, and care must be taken to keep the temperature down. Being quite small, a five to ten-gallon glass aquarium can be used. Regular misting at least twice a day is required, with direct misting of the chameleon recommended. R. brevicaudatus feeds on small insects; in captivity they are partial to crickets, wax worms/moths, houseflies, and others. Though considered fairly hardy, care must be taken to prevent stress, as with other chameleons. Lifespan is generally several years. They do need a dripper system, a 10-gallon or bigger aquarium, and live plants.
Unlike most chameleons, R. brevicaudatus are social; pairs can be housed in 10–15-gallon tanks and trios of one male to two females can be kept in 20-gallon tanks. Isopods and springtails are good additions to any vivarium, cleaning decaying material, fungus, and mold, and providing a food source; however these should not be substituted for a normal, healthy diet of other insects. Females will dig in the soil to lay their eggs and unlike most chameleons the eggs will do fine until they hatch right where they were laid in the terrarium.