🦎 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.

Enclosure

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

    • Juveniles: 24” x 24” x 36”

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

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

  • Material

    • 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

    • 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

    • Bioactive soil mix

    • Coconut fiber

    • Leaf litter

    • Bioactive is highly recommended for humidity stability.

Temperature & Lighting

  • Temperatures

    • Basking Spot: 80–85°F

    • Ambient: 72–78°F

    • Cool Side: 68–72°F

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

  • 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.

    • Use a 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.

    • Day/night cycle: 12 - 14 hour of light

Humidity & Hydration

  • Humidity

    • 60–80% daytime

    • 80–100% at night

  • Maintaining Humidity:

    • This species requires heavy hydration:

    • 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 as they don’t usually drink from standing water but is very beneficial to maintaining humidity

  • Use dechlorinated or treated water only.

Diet

  • Type: Insectivores with very large appetites.

  • Staple Foods

    • Roaches (Dubia, orange head, ivory)

    • Crickets

    • Black soldier fly larvae

    • Silkworms

    • Hornworms

    • Earthworms

    • Grasshoppers

  • Occasional Treats

    • Superworms because they are high in fat

    • Snails

    • Waxworms (sparingly)

  • Feeding Schedule

    • Juveniles: Daily

    • Adults: Every 2–3 days

    • Tip: 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 very beneficial for nutrient balance.

Behavior & Handling

  • Temperament: Parson Chameleons are usually pretty calm and slow moving, perhaps because of their size they are less easily stressed as other species but they still don’t make great handling animals. They do make great display animals with their vibrant colors and that typical chameleon movement is fascinating to watch.

  • 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

    • Dense foliage

    • Branch clusters

    • Natural sunlight exposure (supervised)

    • Occasional rearranged pathways

    • These help stimulate natural exploration behaviors.

Health & Lifespan

  • Lifespan: 15–20 years+ with proper care

  • 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

  • Veterinary Care: Professional veterinary care should always be consulted when you think your pet may have an issue. Watch for signs of illness, catching an issue early on goes a long way.

Final Thoughts:

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.