Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i have a vivarium that currently houses a pair of red eyed tree frogs.it is a very large vivarium and id love to house a small chameleon species in the enclosure to utilize the branches and trees but am unsure if chameleons can be housed with any other animals.im sure the answer is chameleons should be housed alone like almost every other reptile or amphibian but im curious if anyone has ever housed a chameleon with another animal(frog or lizard)and id like to know how it went.i just dont see the problem with a small species like carpet or dwarf jacksons living with tree frogs or dart frogs for that matter.anyone ever do it?

Most people would definitely say dont do it. Especially if it was a smaller species there would be alot of stress on the chameleon itself. Chameleons (mostly) like to be solitary animals. I cant speak for the pigmy chameleon species since ive never owned/researched them. But all other species would not do well. I can actually speak from experience on this, seeing in my younger (and unbelieveably STUPID) years I had my 3 month old veiled and two different species tree frogs together in a 10 gallon aquarium. Miraculously 6 years later, the cham is still around (and the frogs in good homes) but they did not co-habitate well. I would have to take the frogs out of the aquarium to feed them because there was so much competition. In short I woundn't recommend it!

Good luck

Erin
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1:1 Veileds (Gene and Alis)
1:0 Sambava Panther (Knoxville)
1:1 Albino Clawed Frogs (Phedre and Jos)
?? Fire belly toad (Harold)
Various cats and dogs

BAD idea all together! I have had a pair of redeye tree frogs for 4 years, if you have ever held yours or most frogs for that matter they secrete toxins from their skin.

This gives you a sort of burning feeling until you wash it off. Just try touching your eyes someday after holding certain frogs.

Can you imagine the chameleon having to eat bugs that have come into contact with these toxins, or even them walking where the frogs were, or coming into contact with them in anyway.

There are many things to think of besides Toxins (which in and of itself is enough) competition for food as the other poster said. Different parasites/ dieases. Temps !

Better always in a confined tank space to stick with one species! In the wild many creatures coexist, because there is so much room, and they may never come into direct contact with one another.

In a tank, no matter how large WE think it is, they are forced to be together, with no escape.

Set up another habitat and enjoy each
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PHEve/ Eve

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When I was younger I had a red-eye tree frog housed with my full grown Vieled Chameleon for a long time and it went fine. They did not mind each other and often the frog would jump on the chams back and sleep. The only thing you have to worry about is to keep the frog wet.

I could be wrong but i have never heard of red eyed tree frogs having poison and never experienced the burning sensation described by PHeve. If I am wrong please correct me.

Hi, I never said POISION, I said their skin contains toxins, that can feel like a burning sensation to us (humans) They have these for protection from their preditors, such as birds... whatever may try and eat them.

Below is a link that talks about frogs skin and toxins!
Frogs skin & Toxins

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PHEve/ Eve

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