🦎 General Info

Parson’s Chameleons (Calumma parsonii) are one of the largest, most impressive, and longest-lived chameleon species in the world. Native to the lush rainforests of Madagascar, they are known for their vibrant coloration, massive size, calm demeanor, and incredibly slow, deliberate movements. Adults can reach 18–27 inches, with some males exceeding 700–800 grams.

There are two primary subspecies:

  • C. p. parsonii – larger, often blue or green

  • C. p. cristifer – slightly smaller with a raised dorsal crest

Parson’s chameleons are generally calm but require very advanced care, especially related to humidity, hydration, and large enclosure size. With excellent husbandry, they can live 15–20 years, and some individuals have lived even longer.

1. Enclosure

Size

Parson’s are enormous chameleons and need very large, well-ventilated enclosures.

  • Adults: Minimum 4 ft x 4 ft x 6 ft

  • Ideal: 5–6 ft wide x 3+ ft deep x 6–7 ft tall

  • Juveniles: 24” x 24” x 36”

Height and ventilation are crucial.

Material

Best options:

  • Screen enclosures (excellent ventilation)

  • Hybrid PVC/screen enclosures (top choice for humidity retention + airflow)

  • Custom-built vertical walk-in enclosures

Avoid fully glass tanks—they trap stagnant air and cause respiratory issues.

Décor

Provide:

  • Multiple vines and thick branches at various angles

  • Dense foliage (live plants preferred)

  • Hiding zones for security

  • Horizontal walking branches (very important)

Recommended plants:

  • Schefflera

  • Ficus

  • Pothos

  • Hibiscus

Parson’s chameleons prefer calm, secluded, natural setups.

Substrate

Not necessary for climbing species, but the enclosure floor can be lined with:

  • Bioactive soil mix

  • Coconut fiber

  • Leaf litter

Bioactive is highly recommended for humidity stability.

2. Temperature & Lighting

Temperatures

  • Basking Spot: 80–85°F

  • Ambient: 72–78°F

  • Cool Side: 68–72°F

  • Night Drop: 60–65°F (very beneficial)

Parson’s naturally experience cool nights—avoid keeping them warm at night.

Heating

  • Use a low-moderate watt halogen basking bulb

  • Avoid intense heat; Parson’s can easily overheat

  • Never use heat rocks or heat mats

Lighting

High-quality UVB is absolutely essential.

Recommended:

  • T5 HO 5.0 or 6% arcadia UVB for most setups

  • For very tall enclosures, 12% UVB may be necessary

Provide a 12-hour day/night light cycle.

Additional full-spectrum lighting encourages plant growth and natural behavior.

3. Humidity & Hydration

Humidity

  • 60–80% daytime

  • 80–100% at night

Parson’s need strong nighttime humidity spikes due to their rainforest origins.

Mist & Hydration

This species requires heavy hydration:

Provide:

  • Automatic misting system (2–4 times daily)

  • Optional fogger at night

  • Hand misting for juveniles

  • A dripper system for drinking

Parson’s drink slowly and often prefer water dripping from leaves.

Water Dish

Not needed—chameleons do not understand standing water.

Use RO or dechlorinated water only.

4. Diet

Parson’s chameleons are insectivores with very large appetites.

Staple Foods

  • Roaches (Dubia, orange head, ivory)

  • Crickets

  • Black soldier fly larvae

  • Silkworms

  • Hornworms

  • Earthworms

  • Grasshoppers

Occasional Treats

  • Superworms

  • Snails

  • Waxworms (sparingly)

Feeding Schedule

  • Juveniles: Daily

  • Adults: Every 2–3 days

Parson’s are slow feeders—give them time and offer prey on feeding tongs or free-range.

Supplements

  • Calcium without D3: 2–3× weekly

  • Calcium with D3: 2× monthly

  • Multivitamin: 1× weekly

Gut-loading insects is essential for nutrient balance.

5. Behavior & Handling

Temperament

Parson’s are known for being:

  • Calm

  • Slow-moving

  • Less easily stressed than other chameleons

  • Often tolerant of being near humans (but still not “handleable”)

They are observational pets—avoid frequent handling.

Handling

  • Keep handling to a minimum

  • They stress easily despite being calm

  • Support their body and allow them to walk onto your hand voluntarily

Never grab or restrain a chameleon.

Enrichment

Provide:

  • Dense foliage

  • Branch clusters

  • Natural sunlight exposure (supervised)

  • Occasional rearranged pathways

These help stimulate natural exploration behaviors.

6. Health & Lifespan

Lifespan

  • 15–20 years, often longer under ideal care
    Parson’s are among the longest-lived reptiles in the hobby.

Common Health Issues

  • Dehydration: the #1 issue due to poor misting

  • MBD: from inadequate UVB or supplements

  • Respiratory infections: from poor ventilation

  • Parasites: especially in wild-caught individuals

  • Thermal stress: from overheating

Signs of Illness

  • Sunken eyes

  • Weak grip

  • Gaping or wheezing

  • Excessive basking

  • Poor appetite

  • Color dullness or stress striping

Vet Care

Seek an experienced chameleon vet if you notice:

  • Difficulty breathing

  • Persistent lethargy

  • Rapid weight changes

  • Swelling or unusual bumps

Parson’s require expert-level husbandry—early intervention is crucial.

🦎 Final Notes

Parson’s Chameleons are breathtaking, calm giants of the chameleon world, but they require extensive space, advanced humidity control, strong hydration, and precise conditions. They are not beginner pets, but for experienced keepers offering proper care, they are among the most impressive and rewarding reptiles to maintain.