Bradypodion Dracomontanum or Drakensberg Dwarf Chameleon

Bradypodion Dracomontanum or the Drakensberg dwarf chameleon is a small species of chameleon which occurs in South Africa in the Drakensberg mountain range in Kwazulu Natal and the Eastern Free State. Its Latin name Bradypodion means slow-footed and Dracomontanum refers to its home in the Drakensberg (dragon) mountains. It can grow up to 14 centimeters (Arkive) and lives in the bushes of alpine grasslands and small patches of forest at around 1500 meters above sea level.

Its distinguishing features include a prehensile tail, light brown skin, and blue-green tuberclues on ots flanks and upper limbs. Like many in the Bradypodion species, it has an erratic gait. It can be seen on tops of bushes during the day and hides within them during the night.

This species is listed in the CITES II database meaning that trade is limited. According to the IUCN Redlist of endangered species, it is of ‘least concern’ in since its population has not been fully assessed and its range is more than 5500 sq.km. It may be composed of two subspecies and a common name has been proposed for the bright-green individuals (emerald dwarf chameleon) in the southern part of its range (Wikipedia). 

References:

1) Arkive – www.arkive.org/drakensberg-dwarf-chameleon/bradypodion-dracomontanum/
2) Wikipedia – en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drakensberg_dwarf_chameleon
3) IUCN Redlist – www.iucnredlist.org/details/176291/0
4) CITES Appendix II – cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php

Images:

1) Main image supplied by Jan Sohler