{"product_id":"oustalets-giant-chameleon","title":"Oustalet's Giant Chameleon (Furcifer oustaleti)","description":"\u003ch2 data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"35\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3\" data-end=\"33\"\u003eOustalet’s Giant Chameleon\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"37\" data-end=\"150\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"37\" data-end=\"57\"\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Furcifer oustaleti\u003cbr data-start=\"76\" data-end=\"79\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"79\" data-end=\"95\"\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Oustalet’s Giant Chameleon, Malagasy Giant Chameleon\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"152\" data-end=\"155\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"157\" data-end=\"183\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"161\" data-end=\"181\"\u003eSpecies Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"184\" data-end=\"330\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"184\" data-end=\"193\"\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e Adults typically reach \u003cstrong data-start=\"217\" data-end=\"250\"\u003e20 to 27 inches (51 to 69 cm)\u003c\/strong\u003e in total length, making this one of the largest chameleon species in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"332\" data-end=\"862\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"332\" data-end=\"347\"\u003eAppearance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Oustalet’s Giant Chameleons are impressive, heavily built reptiles with long bodies, prominent casque structures, and powerful jaws. Colouration is generally muted compared to more ornamental species, ranging from browns and greys to earthy greens, often with faint striping or mottling. Individuals may display subtle reds or yellows, especially males, though overall colour shifts are more functional than decorative. Their large, muscular limbs and prehensile tail make them capable climbers despite their size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"864\" data-end=\"965\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"864\" data-end=\"881\"\u003eDistribution:\u003c\/strong\u003e Endemic to Madagascar, found throughout a wide range of habitats across the island.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"967\" data-end=\"1197\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"967\" data-end=\"979\"\u003eHabitat:\u003c\/strong\u003e This species occupies diverse environments, including dry forests, spiny thickets, savannas, agricultural edges, and even urbanized areas. They prefer locations with scattered trees or shrubs for climbing and basking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1199\" data-end=\"1637\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1199\" data-end=\"1213\"\u003eBehaviour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Oustalet’s Chameleons are diurnal, solitary, and highly territorial. They are ambush predators, feeding on insects, small vertebrates, and occasionally plant matter. Because of their size, they can take significantly larger prey compared to most chameleons. When threatened, they exhibit defensive body inflation, gaping, and colour darkening. They are sensitive to stress and benefit from environments with abundant cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"1639\" data-end=\"1642\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1644\" data-end=\"1666\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1648\" data-end=\"1664\"\u003eCaptive Care\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1667\" data-end=\"2053\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1667\" data-end=\"1681\"\u003eEnclosure:\u003c\/strong\u003e Provide a spacious, vertically oriented enclosure at least \u003cstrong data-start=\"1741\" data-end=\"1784\"\u003e48 × 24 × 48 inches (120 × 60 × 120 cm)\u003c\/strong\u003e for an adult. Their large size and active climbing behaviour make generous vertical and horizontal space essential. Fill the enclosure with sturdy branches, large vines, and dense live or artificial foliage to create secure visual cover and multiple basking locations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2055\" data-end=\"2395\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2055\" data-end=\"2084\"\u003eTemperature and Humidity:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2084\" data-end=\"2087\"\u003eBasking area: 90 to 95°F (32 to 35°C)\u003cbr data-start=\"2124\" data-end=\"2127\"\u003eAmbient daytime temperature: 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C)\u003cbr data-start=\"2179\" data-end=\"2182\"\u003eCool side: 70 to 75°F (21 to 24°C)\u003cbr data-start=\"2216\" data-end=\"2219\"\u003eNight temperatures: 65 to 72°F (18 to 22°C)\u003cbr data-start=\"2262\" data-end=\"2265\"\u003eHumidity should range between 50 and 80 percent, with regular misting, fogging at night, and strong airflow to prevent stagnation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2397\" data-end=\"2570\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2397\" data-end=\"2410\"\u003eLighting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Provide strong full-spectrum lighting with moderate UVB (5 to 10 percent). Ensure multiple basking spots and well-lit areas balanced with shaded retreat zones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2572\" data-end=\"2948\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2572\" data-end=\"2581\"\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Offer a broad varied diet, including crickets, roaches, silkworms, hornworms, stick insects, black soldier fly larvae, and other appropriately sized invertebrates. Due to their size, they can also consume the occasional pinkie mouse or small vertebrate, though these should be offered sparingly. Supplement their diet with calcium regularly and multivitamins weekly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2950\" data-end=\"3280\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2950\" data-end=\"2977\"\u003eBehaviour in Captivity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Oustalet’s Chameleons are impressive display animals but are not suited for frequent handling. They are alert, strong, and can become defensive when stressed. In a large, well-structured enclosure with stable environmental conditions, they exhibit natural hunting, climbing, and territorial behaviours.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3282\" data-end=\"3632\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3282\" data-end=\"3309\"\u003eSpecial Considerations:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3309\" data-end=\"3312\"\u003e• Their size demands a large, secure enclosure with strong branches.\u003cbr data-start=\"3380\" data-end=\"3383\"\u003e• Provide high humidity with excellent ventilation.\u003cbr data-start=\"3434\" data-end=\"3437\"\u003e• Avoid excessive handling—they stress easily.\u003cbr data-start=\"3483\" data-end=\"3486\"\u003e• Ensure consistent hydration through drippers, foggers, and misting.\u003cbr data-start=\"3555\" data-end=\"3558\"\u003e• Provide a wide range of perch diameters to accommodate their large feet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"3634\" data-end=\"3637\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"3639\" data-end=\"3662\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3643\" data-end=\"3660\"\u003eTaxonomy Note\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3663\" data-end=\"3915\"\u003eThe Oustalet’s Giant Chameleon belongs to the genus \u003cstrong data-start=\"3715\" data-end=\"3727\"\u003eFurcifer\u003c\/strong\u003e, a diverse group of Malagasy chameleons. \u003cem data-start=\"3769\" data-end=\"3789\"\u003eFurcifer oustaleti\u003c\/em\u003e is notable for being one of the largest chameleon species on the planet, occupying a wide ecological range across Madagascar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"3917\" data-end=\"3920\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"3922\" data-end=\"3945\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3926\" data-end=\"3943\"\u003eGenetics Note\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3946\" data-end=\"4229\"\u003eNo recognized morphs exist for this species. Natural variation includes differences in base tones (greys, browns, greens), subtle pattern intensity, and size variation across localities. These traits reflect natural geographic and individual diversity rather than selective breeding.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tails and Scales","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43799499243735,"sku":"CITESII","price":250.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/tailsandscales.ca\/products\/oustalets-giant-chameleon","provider":"Tails and Scales ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}