Flap-necked Chameleon Profile Guide || Care Guide

The common name of the Flap-necked Chameleon comes from the large, movable frills on the top of its neck that protrude outwards on either side of the neck. Generally, these fruits are flat, located on a bony ridge at the back of the head, called the cask. But when this chameleon is in danger or wants to scare the competitors, these fruits are lifted up and come at a 90-degree angle with the head.

To differentiate between males and females, males have higher casks, and larger fruits, and some subspecies have small spines emerging from the hind feet. At rest, the flap-necked chameleon body is usually light green, brown, or yellow, with light or dark stripes on the sides. It has many dark spots on its body, which turn bright yellow or orange when it is happy or ready to mate.

Overview About Flap-necked chameleon:

Common Name: flap-neck chameleon
Scientific Name: Chameleon dellips
Age: 5 to 8 years
Size: 14 inches

Flap necked chameleon.
Flap necked chameleon Guide — Blending master with striking color shifts

Physical Appearance of Flap-necked chameleon:

A Flap-necked chameleon is a large loon with a small plume behind its head. It has a comb from the back to the tail consisting of small, white triangular spines. The basic color of flap-necked chameleon is lemon green which changes to different shades of green.

Its belly is white and its sides are marked with light stripes. They are also similar to other chameleons. They change their colors to communicate with chameleons. There are but they are not separated from men, they also have the same color.

Diet of Flap-necked chameleon:

The Flap-necked chameleon is an insectivore whose diet consists generally of wasps and grasshoppers. Provide a varied diet of live reptile food, including commercially available and locally caught wild insects. This diet should be rich in calcium and a good vitamin/mineral supplement should be sprinkled before feeding. Feed some insects daily. Flap-neck chameleons will quickly become weak and lethargic if there is a lack of food.

Flap-Necked chameleon Eating Food — Chameleon snags prey with a rapid tongue

Flap-necked chameleon Behavior and Habitat:

Most of their behavior is calm and cautious. They often like to spend time alone and feel comfortable being alone. When they sense a threat, they change color to hide and protect themselves. They think before making every move. When they believe they are safe, they run to bite and bite to protect themselves. They get depressed very quickly even at minor threats.

In their natural habitat, mostly Flap-necked chameleon lives in trees, where they easily blend into the leaves.

Habitat and Housing Needs of Flap-necked Chameleon:

Size of Enclosure:

To retain them, they require a cage in which they can live peacefully. The size of the cage should be just proper for them.24 x 24 x 36 inches is a common cage size for them. In such a cage they feel safe and it is significant for their health and prosperity.

Up to 6 months	18x 18 x 24
6 to 12 months	24x 24 x 36
12 months and older	24x 24 x 36 or larger

Temperature and Lighting:

They can easily live in groups provided their temperature is kept normal to provide them with a natural environment. Their cages also have scattering points that provide them with sunlight. Their cage temperature is usually 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

UVB light is essential for their survival. It helps them grow properly and makes their bones strong, keeping them healthy and protected from various diseases.

Humidity:

The humidity level in their surrounding environment should be sufficient. They can suffer from dehydration if the humidity level is not normal, so spray them daily to avoid dehydration.

Substrate:

The substrate in their cage is very important for their growth. The best foundation includes coconut fiber, topsoil, and life waste. It helps to keep the humidity level in the cage normal.

Breeding of Flap-necked chameleon:

The female is engorged with about 25 to 50 small eggs; She lays her eggs in summer. Eggs take 3 to 4 months to develop. Eggs in the wild can hatch in 377 days.
The zygote organ, which we mentioned in the previous section, is also used to communicate chemical messages between species in preparation for mating.
If you are trying to mate your chameleons you must remove the male as soon as mating is complete as the female is more likely to attack the male immediately after mating.
Flap neck chameleons usually lay eggs 1 to 3 times per year with clusters of about 25 to 50 eggs. Eggs take 3 to 4 months to grow.

Common Health Problems Flap-necked Chameleon:

Metabolic bone disease:

This disease is caused by calcium deficiency or not getting proper UVB light. This weakens the bones, making it difficult to walk and increasing the risk of fractures. Sufficient UVB exposure is essential to prevent this disease.

Dehydration:

If they don’t get adequate water, water droplets on the leaves, or a good ripening system, they often suffer from drought. Symptoms include sunken eyes and dry skin. Proper hydration and Regular cooking are essential to protect them from drying out.

Flap-necked chameleon Care Tips:

Keep them in safe and appropriate confinement that resembles their natural environment.
Provide a balanced diet for their health and proper growth, otherwise, they will become weak.
Give them plenty of water and establish a good drainage system so they can benefit from moisture and avoid drying out.
Adjust the humidity level in their cage to suit their needs. High or low humidity can lead to various diseases.

Lifespan of Flap-necked chameleon:

Flap-necked chameleons succeed well in captivity. It is active mostly during the day. This species need to create an environment in captivity that is close to its natural climate. It can be fed a diet consisting of grasshoppers, worms, waxworms, and other locally caught insects. Its life expectancy ranges from 5 to 8 years; some can live longer despite threats, depending on species and environmental factors.

Conclusion:

Flap-necked chameleon has a very wide distribution in large parts of sub-Saharan Africa. It is found in Ethiopia and Somalia in the north Cameroon in the west and northern South Africa in the south. It lives in coastal forests, humid or dry savannas, forests, and scrub grasslands, and is occasionally seen in rural and urban areas. Giving a suitable environment with proper temperature and lighting. Diet is essential for their health. With the proper care, these chameleons can lead long and healthy lives.

FAQS:

Generally a bad idea, as they are solitary, and if you try to house them with other reptiles that get large enough their brats in short order.

They may not have the same sense of familiarity with an owner as a pet animal would, but they can learn to be comfortable with certain sights and sounds – this makes them more predictable during handling.

If your chameleon doesn’t eat Look for signs of stress, illness, or inadequacy. If the refusal persists for more than a few days. Consulting a veterinarian may be helpful.