Four Horned Chameleon Complete Guide
The scientific name of the Four Horned chameleon is Trioceros quadricornis, it is an extraordinary reptile that is a member of the Chamaeleonidae family. It is found in the tropical forests of West and Central Africa, especially in Cameroon and the neighboring areas. This species is unique in that it has four distinct horns on its head. These are arboreal, which means they also live in the trees, and they have various physical adaptations and behaviors.
In this article, we will explore the physical characteristics of a Four Horned Chameleon, reproduction, habitat, health challenges, behavior, diet, and conservation status of the Four Horned Chameleon in detail, providing a complete picture of this fascinating species.
Physical Characteristics of Four Horned Chameleon:
The most important characteristic of a Four Horned Chameleon its four prominent horns on its head is that it gets its name. These horns are usually more developed in males than in females, giving the male chameleons a more outstanding appearance. Two horns extend from the area above the eyes, while the other two grow from the snout. Usually, these are made of cartilage. These horns give a prehistoric, almost mythical look. These structures play an important role in his behavior, especially when it comes to displays of dominance or defense.
Feet
Their feet are zygodactylous, meaning that the toes are grouped in two resist sets. On foot, two toes point forward and three-point backward, giving them a strong grip.
The ability of the Four Horned Chameleon is to change color. Their color shifts have a variety of functions. They change their color to communicate with others, to regulate their body temperature, and sometimes as a stress response.
Habit and range of Four Horned Chameleon:
Four Horned Chameleon’s natural habitat is the tropical forests of Cameroon, as well as the nearest regions of Nigeria and Gabon. They develop in the cool, humid, and high-elevation regions of these forests. Where dense vegetation provides them with plenty of cover and a healthy supply of insects, they also live in mountainous areas and also found 800 to 2,000 meters above sea level. These are strictly arborescent species, meaning they also spend the majority of their life in the trees.
Behavior of Four Horned Chameleon:
The Four Horned Chameleon is a lone and provincial animal. The male Four Horned Chameleon is highly aggressive toward other males during the breeding season. Their horns play an important role in their territorial disputes. Rather than engaging in direct combat, they change their colors to more vibrant hues and position their horns to make themselves appear larger and more threatening to their battles. The aim of these parades is to intimidate the opponent into backing down without any fight.
They also rely on their eyes. They have the ability to move their eyes from one another, giving them a 360-degree vision. This allows them to scan their surroundings, without moving their head and body.
Breeding of Four Horned Chameleon:
The breeding season of Four Horned Chameleon typically occurs during the rainy season when food is plentiful, and conditions are comfortable for raising young. At this time, males compete for their female partners by changing their colors and using their horns to alarm their competitors. After mating, the female lays their eggs and burns in soil or hides them within the leaves of trees. They take a period between 5 to 8 months, their eggs are also affected by environmental factors such as humidity and temperature. Their children are fully independent and have the ability to hunt of their own. Their parent is not responsible for their care and growth.
Housing For Four Horned Chameleon:
Enclosure Size:
They need a tall and vertically oriented enclosure for their housing and climbing behavior. The minimum size required for an adult chameleon is 60cmx60cmx120cm. They also need screen enclosures, for better air circulation, which is necessary for maintaining the proper humidity levels and also preventing respiratory issues.
Temperature:
They face cooler temperatures compared to other chameleon species. The daytime temperature in their enclosure is between 8°C to 24°C (65°F to 75°F) and 18°C to 24°C). with a basking area reaching around (80°F to 85°F) 27°C to 29°C. Night time temperatures also drop to 13°C to 18°C, (55°F to 65°F) as this copies their native high altitude environments.
Lighting:
These chameleons also require UVB lighting for 10 to 12 hours a day which supports their calcium absorption and prevents metabolic bone disease. A 5.0 UVB bulb or a linear tube light is necessary. The lighting should be placed at a safe distance to avoid burns, and the enclosure should offer shaded areas so the chameleon can control their UV exposure.
Humidity:
They also like to live in Hot humid climates. The humidity level stayed between 75% to 90%. We can maintain the enclosure by dropping the water on it 2 to 3 times daily. Pothos, Ficus and live plants also help to maintain the humidity and provide climbing opportunities.
Substrate:
The substrate in the enclosure must be moisture retentive and should help to maintain humidity, and also easy to clean. Coconut coir, reptile-safe organic soil, and a combination of these with leaf litter are the popular choices for reptiles. Avoid sand or gravel, which can lead to impaction if ingested. Adding natural elements like branches and vines can help encourage climbing and provide hiding spots.
Heating:
A basking lamp must be placed in one corner of the enclosure to create a difference in temperature. This allows for moving to warm and cool places. Ceramic heat emitters should be used at night if the temperature is too low at night but avoid using light at night. They are sensitive to light when they are sleeping.
Hydration:
They do not recognize the standing water, so a drip system is essential to provide them with hydration. Live plants and misting are also encouraged to drink water from the leaves.
Common Health Problems:
Four Horned Chameleons can face various health challenges, such as:
1. Respiratory tract infections:
More often than not, these are secondary symptoms due to a lack of appropriate humidity and temperature in their environment.
2. Infestation:
The chameleons are susceptible to veterinary illnesses from both internal and external parasites.
3. Metabolic bone disease:
This is caused by a lack of the right amount of calcium and UVB leading to deformed and weak bones.
4. Dermatitis:
This is common due to wrong humidity, or pets nursing several wounds.
5. Hypohydration:
This may affect them because of a lack of water intake, most especially on non-water content diets.
However, regular veterinary check-ups practice and care are fundamental to minimizing these health problems.
Feeding and Diet of Four Horned Chameleon:
They also like to eat crickets, waxworms, and roaches. We can use these insects by dusting them with calcium and multivitamins, which is essential for their health. They have sticky tongues to catch incest and excellent eyesight. So we provide a variety of incest to keep their balanced diet.
Weight and Size of Four Horned Chameleon:
Weight
Adult Weight: For most adults, it used to range between 300 and 500 grams but varies from individual to individual as well as environmental changes.
Size
Length: The adults are the longest among the chameleon species reaching an approximate length of twenty to thirty inches (fifty to seventy-six centimeters).
Price of Four Horned Chameleon:
Prices differ from one region to another, whether the creature is bred or captured, and its current market offering. Mostly, the costs in the pet industry lie between $100-300.
Handling and Care Tips for Four Horned Chameleon:
Handling them as little as possible is important, as this can cause stress. They should be approached slowly to avoid startling them. Fill the enclosure with climbing structures and keep the temperature and humidity at the proper levels to create a nice space.
Where necessary, do not grab the lizards directly as this may cause stress, instead use a cloth or a small branch to gently coax them out. Their health should be checked regularly for any signs of illness and a vet should be called if necessary. Besides misting them to keep them hydrated, offer a balanced diet consisting of gut-loaded insects that have been dusted with calcium and vitamins. Also, avoid using bright lights during the night so that the animals follow a natural day-night cycle and have places such as plants and branches in the cage to hide for their security and comfort.
Conclusion:
The Four Horned Chameleon is a remarkable kind of chameleon, especially mesmerizing due to its size and horns. They are not easy as their care is and habitat provision in controlled areas is strict. They should be divisible by potential owners, and measures should be taken to provide the ideal conditions.
