Small reptiles like chameleons are fun animals to keep as pets. They typically stay in their enclosure and do not make much noise, if any at all. They are easy for young children to care for, and feeding them does not cost an arm and a leg. Chameleons come from tropical and subtropical climates, where winter months never produce cold weather or snow. Since many animals hibernate when it gets cold outside, many people wonder whether chameleons living in captivity will do so.
“Brumation” is a reptile’s equivalent to a mammal’s hibernation. Brumation and hibernation are not exactly the same thing, but both mean that an animal slows its metabolism and saves energy when the weather is too cold to hunt and eat. So, do chameleons go through brumation? The short answer is that yes, they can. However, they should not.
Do Chameleons Hibernate? What Every Owner Should Know
As a chameleon owner, you may notice your pet becoming lethargic and eating less during the winter months This can lead you to wonder – do chameleons hibernate?
The answer isn’t so straightforward Let’s take a closer look at chameleon brumation and how it impacts their care.
What is Brumation?
Brumation is a form of hibernation seen in reptiles. Just like mammals, reptiles in brumation experience a slowing of their metabolism to conserve energy.
During brumation, you may notice your chameleon becoming less active. It may stop drinking, eating, and defecating altogether. Some individuals can remain nearly motionless for weeks on end! Others may bury themselves in substrate to reach cooler temperatures.
This can be alarming for new reptile owners who aren’t prepared for brumation. But it’s a completely normal process in many species.
Do Veiled and Panther Chameleons Brumate?
The two most popular pet chameleon species are the veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) and panther chameleon (Furcifer pardalis). Both hail from tropical and subtropical climates.
In their natural habitats, ambient temperatures remain warm enough year-round that brumation is not necessary for survival. These chameleons remain active all year long.
Once in captivity, it becomes the keeper’s responsibility to maintain proper temperatures. Dropping temperatures can lead to appetite loss and lethargy.
To prevent brumation, keep enclosure temperatures and photoperiods stable. Daytime ambient temps should remain 78-85°F. Use lighting on a 12 hour on/off cycle.
With the right setup, veiled and panther chameleons should remain active and eating normally year-round. Brumation should not be encouraged.
Do Any Chameleons Brumate in the Wild?
While veiled and panther chameleons don’t brumate, other species adapted to cooler climates do.
A prime example is Parson’s chameleon (Calumma parsonii), found in eastern Madagascar. As adults, these chameleons exhibit an incredible reproductive strategy.
Females retain eggs internally for up to two years before laying them. They remain semi-dormant through the winter months to conserve energy for developing eggs.
Wild Parson’s chameleons experience a distinct dry winter season. Temperatures in their rainforest home can dip into the 40s Fahrenheit. Days reach only the mid 60s.
Brumation allows Parson’s chameleons to save energy until the rainy spring brings warmer weather and abundant food.
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Brumation is a form of reptile hibernation characterized by lethargy and appetite loss.
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Popular pet species like veiled and panther chameleons do not brumate in the wild. Avoid brumation in captivity by maintaining proper temperatures year-round.
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Chameleons from cooler climates, like Parson’s chameleon, do exhibit natural brumation cycles in the wild.
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If you notice your chameleon acting lethargic or not eating well, double check that temperatures and lighting are ideal. Seek vet help if issues persist despite an ideal habitat.
With proper captive care, chameleons should remain active and healthy year-round. But an understanding of brumation can help you interpret any seasonal changes you notice in your pet. Maintaining an ideal habitat is key to preventing unwanted brumation.
Why Chameleons Should Not Experience Brumation
Chameleons living in cold climates do not have to experience the brumation process. It is the responsibility of the owner to ensure that brumation does not take place. There is no reason for a chameleon to go through the stress of this drawn-out process, as they are not naturally inclined to do so. They only do so out of the necessity to try to survive. Brumation is stressful for the chameleon and can result in ill health and a shorter lifespan.
Why Chameleons Might Go Through Brumation
In nature, chameleons do not experience brumation because the weather remains tropical year-round. Even in places like Hawaii, where the mountains get extremely cold during winter, you will only find chameleons and lizards living near ocean levels and never traveling up toward the mountains. However, captive chameleons do not have a say in where they reside. They may end up in a place where it gets cold or snows during the winter months.
When a chameleon in captivity experiences cold temperatures, it goes through a brumation period when it stops eating, drinking, and using the bathroom. They move very little and tend to stay in one place for hours, if not days, at a time. Some owners become afraid that their pets are dying when the brumation process takes place.
Tips for keeping a chameleon warm during the winter
FAQ
What happens to chameleons in the winter?
Chameleons will wait out the cooler months, where food is scarce, with everything from just staying still on a branch to hiding in rocks, stumps of trees, or holes in the ground. In captivity we see the starting of brumation in a typical winter slow down of activity.
How long do chameleons hibernate?
Chameleons come from tropical climates and hibernation is not part of their behavior. When they’re too cold, they can become lethargic and stop eating, but that is not hibernation, and it often results in death. Humidity could be a problem if the cage isn’t tall enough.
Why do chameleons only live 4 months?
The chameleon’s short life coincides with the rainy season in the arid region of Madagascar, and study coauthor Christopher Raxworthy says the lifecycle may be a response to the harsh climate.
Is my Chameleon dead or hibernating?
Therefore, whether your chameleon is dead or hibernating, we understand it is a concern that requires attention. A dead chameleon will be completely inactive and change its color to a darker shade, while a hibernating chameleon will be less active and eat less.
Why do chameleons hibernate?
Chameleons are exothermic creatures; therefore, they tend to be less active to preserve energy for their normal body processes such as digestion. These creatures also hibernate, during which they enter into a state of inactivity to preserve their energy.
How do Chameleons survive winter?
Chameleons have developed several strategies to survive the colder winter months. First and foremost, they are experts at thermoregulation, adjusting their body temperatures by moving between sunny and shaded areas. In winter, when the temperatures drop significantly, chameleons tend to reduce their activity levels and enter a state of brumation.
Do chameleons eat a lot in winter?
Some chameleon owners find their pets don’t eat much during the winter months, this can be determined by the temperatures in the enclosure and your local weather. Ensure you keep your temperatures at optimum and your lighting on a 12 hour cycle. Brumation should not be encouraged in captivity.
Do chameleons live in cold weather?
It’s important to note that cold-blooded chameleons rely heavily on their environment to regulate their body temperature. They might remain somewhat active in regions with mild winters, basking in the occasional sunlight. However, in colder climates, they find sheltered spots and remain inactive for longer periods.
Do chameleons like to be held?
Generally, chameleons don’t like to be held at all. For centuries, they have been living in the wild and they have adapted themselves to hide from any danger. They were never touched or handled by people. Nowadays, people love to keep them as pets. However, they have evolved as species that were never touched, so they get stressed very easily.