10 Cheapest Chameleons To Keep as Pets

For more advanced reptile keepers, chameleons are often the next challenge. Chameleons and their bizarre, unique appearance make beautiful pets, but keeping one can be difficult and often expensive! 

These color-changing reptiles are more sensitive and need a specific setup that’ll set you back anywhere from $400 to $700. However, after everything is set up, all you have to do is maintain a healthy diet, keep their habitat within the species’ parameters, and ensure they get enough UVA light.

Below are 10 of the cheapest and most affordable chameleons you can keep as a pet.

Pygmy Chameleons (Brookesia spp.) — $150-$300

These pocket-sized chameleons usually max out at about eight inches long. They’re members of the Brookesia genus and are only found on the island of Madagascar, home to nearly two-thirds of all chameleon species. But buyer beware: many pygmies on the market are taken from the wild, not captive-bred. Health and stress are always in question with wild-caught animals, so they’re usually only recommended for advanced keepers.

Cameroon Two-Horned Chameleon (Chamaeleo cristatus) — $60-$120

Also called the sailfin chameleon, this species is endemic to Cameroon’s mountain forests. It’s notoriously tricky to keep healthy, but with proper care can live a decent lifespan of up to 10 years. However, adding appropriate supplements like calcium and sometimes vitamin A can prevent many of the diseases that chameleons can get. But like all chameleons, you’ll need an enclosure with plenty of vertical space and ventilation. 

Jackson’s Chameleon (Chamaeleo jacksonii) — $100-$175

These high-elevation chameleons are native to Tanzania and Kenya. Thanks to their montane natural habitat, they prefer more moderate temperatures with lots of humidity. The males of one subspecies are lemon-lime green with yellow spikes down their backs and three horns. 

Carpet Chameleon (Chamaeleo lateralis) — $150-$500

As beautiful as an Oriental rug, carpet chameleons have intricate patterns all over their bodies. Buying one is cheap. However, carpet chameleons are very sensitive to stress and are only for advanced keepers. Like other chameleons, they do not enjoy handling and prefer being left alone.

Werner’s Three Horned Chameleon (Trioceros werneri) — $70-$100

Although they look like a small, stocky version of Jackson’s chameleon, Werner’s are a species of their own. They’re relatively hardy, as chameleons go, and have a price that doesn’t make you go OUCH. Their smaller size means you can save a little and get a slightly smaller enclosure, but giving your sticky-tongued buddy extra space is ideal.

Panther Chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) $65-$500

Along with Jackson’s and veiled chameleons, panther chameleons are probably one of the top three most popular chameleons. They’re cheap buy and keep, in addition to being a little more forgiving. However, they’re susceptible to Metabolic bone disorder, a preventable but debilitating bone disease that causes massive deformities.

Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) — $50-$250

These chameleons are great for chameleon beginners and are the most identifiable of all species. Veiled chameleons are originally from Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Although chameleons are all delicate reptiles, the veiled chameleons are likely the easiest to keep. 

Flap-Necked Chameleon (Chamaeleo dilapis) — $50-$150

While their care is more difficult than other chameleons, flap-necked chameleons aren’t impossible. Their affordable price makes them an attractive option.

Rudis Chameleon (Trioceros rudis) — $45-$90

A small but cheap chameleon to keep as a pet, Rudis chameleons only grow about eight inches long, but they are beautiful!! Rudis chameleons are bright and colorful with stunning greens and yellows — plus, they give birth to live babies.

However, a cheap price doesn’t change their susceptibility to the same disorders as others: metabolic bone disease, vitamin A, and dehydration. The good news? They’re all preventable.

Desert Side Striped Chameleon (Trioceros bitaeniatus) — $40 and up

Like other mountain-loving chameleons, the desert side striped chameleon gives birth to babies. Not that you should be expecting them any time soon. Any chameleon is difficult to breed, and their conditions have to be just right. Besides, none of these lizards are easy to keep healthy.

Summary of the Cheapest Chameleons to Keep as Pets

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Ondrej Prosicky/Shutterstock.com