This species is associated with savannah and open forest, occurring in the Sudanian-Guinean and Guinean climatic zones where rainfall exceeds 1,000 mm annually (Largen and Spawls 2010, Trape et al. 2012). It is absent from dense forest (Trape et al. 2012). It has been recorded from moist montane grassland in the vicinity of Lake Tana (Largen and Spawls 2010). This diurnal lizard is arboreal, but is also often observed on the ground in villages and along paths (Trape et al. 2012). This chameleon has a varied diet of insects and other arthropods (Trape et al. 2012). Its stomach contents have been noted to contain grasshoppers, caterpillars, winged ants, carpenter bees, cicadas, wasp, termites and flies, as well as cockroaches, beetles, spiders and dragonflies (Tilbury 2010). In Nigeria mating was noted to occur in May and gestation has been reported to be about 3-4 months, with up to 45 eggs being laid towards the end of the rains in September/October (Tilbury 2010).

This chameleon ranges widely in sub-Saharan Africa, occurring from the Gambia and southern Senegal in the west to Ethiopia and Tanzania in the east, principally in the humid tropics (Largen and Spawls 2010, Tilbury 2010, Trape et al. 2012). It occurs in all mainland West African countries except for Mauritania and Niger, though is confined to the south of Mali and Chad, as well as in the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo (Trape et al. 2012). In the west of its range, it is widespread in southern Somalia, and is also known from a single site in Bari in the north (10º09' N, 49º E; Lanza 1990).

The Area of Occupancy cannot be reliably estimated at present, and would require more detailed locality records from across the entire range.

This species is listed under CITES Appendix II, and trade levels should therefore be monitored to ensure compliance with this listing. No further conservation actions are recommended for this species. This species is protected within the boundaries of many West, Central and East African national parks and reserves (Tilbury 2010).