Bradypodion Occidentale or Namaqua Dwarf Chameleon

Bradypodion Occidentale or the Namaqua Dwarf Chameleon is a relatively large size dwarf chameleon native to the west coasts of South Africa and Namibia. It’s also known as the Western Dwarf Chameleon (Wikipedia). This chameleon thrives coastal vegetation in the coastal regions of Namibia and Namaqualand in South Africa hence its name.

This species is distinguishable from other dwarf chameleons due to its locale, its large size to which it can grow up to 16 centimeters in length and two to three gular grooves under its chin. The grooves extend from the tip of the jaw down to the chest and can appear in various colors such as electric orange, purple-black and bright yellow (Natural History Notes). The animal’s base color is a mottled grey or brown.

The species is listed in CITES Appendix II (Biodiversity.org) which makes its sale and importation controlled however there are no references in the IUCN Redlist.

References:

1) Wikipedia – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namaqua_dwarf_chameleon
2) Natural History Notes – http://www.chamaeleonidae.com/Publications_files/Anderson%202013%20-%20Afr.%20Herp%20News.pdf
3) Biodiversity.org – http://www.biodiversity.org.na/taxondisplay.php?nr=2707
4) Chamowner’s Web – http://chamownersweb.net/chamfamily/bradypodion/bradypodion_occidentale.htm

Images:

1) Main image supplied by Javier Abalos Alvarez
2) Sub image supplied by Javier Abalos Alvarez

Bradypodion Nemorale or Zululand Dwarf Chameleon

Bradypodion Nemorale or the Zululand Dwarf Chameleon is a medium-sized dwarf chameleon native to Qudeni and Nkanala forests of Zululand, South Africa. It’s also known as the Qudeni Dwarf Chameleon. This chameleon’s scientific name refers to its forest habitat. Nemorale means living in groves or woods (The Reptile Database).

This creature is distinguishable from other dwarf chameleons because of its location, its size, its strongly raised casque, and a distinct developed cranial crest. It also has a distinct dorsal crest which continues up to the tail. There are no longitudinal grooves on the flanks (The Reptile Database). Its base color is dark green with rust-colored patches and its throat is covered with white gular grooves (Chamowners Web).

Due to its limited range, distribution and population, it’s classified as near-threatened in the IUCN Redlist of Endangered Species. It’s also listed in CITES Appendix II which means that trade for this species is highly controlled (Encyclopedia of Life)

References:

1) The Reptile Database – http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Bradypodion&species=nemorale
2) IUCN Redlist – http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/3009/0
3) Chamowner’s Web – http://chamownersweb.net/chamfamily/bradypodion/bradypodion_nemorale.htm
4) Encyclopedia of Life – http://chamownersweb.net/chamfamily/bradypodion/bradypodion_nemorale.htm

Images:

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Bradypodion Carpenteri or Carpenter’s Chameleon

Bradypodion Carpenteri or Kinyongia Carpenteri is a small species of chameleon that occurs in the mountainous highland region between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Its common English name is the Carpenter’s Chameleon in honor of the specimen’s collector Dr. G.D. Hale Carpenter (iNaturalist). Its genus designation has been moved two times from Chameleo to Bradypodion to Kinyongia.

This species can grow up to 30 cm. They have large casques, curved parietal crest and bifurcated canthus rostralis (on males). Little is known about this species and it’s not known to be in the captive market (IUCN Redlist).

References:

1) iNaturalist – www.inaturalist.org/taxa/32971
2) Wikipedia – en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpenter%27s_chameleon
3) Reptile Database – reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Kinyongia&species=carpenteri
4) IUCN Redlist – www.iucnredlistassessments.org/about/forum/east_africa_chameleons/32971-2/
5) Chamowners Web – chamownersweb.net/chamfamily/bradypodion/bradypodion_carpenteri.htm
6) Chameleon Forums – www.chameleonforums.com/kinyongia-carpenteri-pictures-35017/index2.html

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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

Bradypodion Caffer or Transkei Dwarf Chameleon

Bradypodion Caffer is a species of chameleon belonging to the genus Bradypodion (slow footed). Bradypodions are also collectively known as South African Dwarf Chameleons which places them south of the African continent. This species however is so far found only in lowland forests of Port St. Johns in the Pondoland region of South Africa within a radius of 1950 sq. km. (Encyclopedia of Life).

Bradypodion Caffer is identifiable through its pale brown or brown coloring with white mottling. Its casque points backwards and up and large flattened spines on the dorsal crest. This species is also ovoviparous or live-bearing (Chameleon Forums). Bradypodion Caffer is known by two other names: Transkei Dwarf Chameleon or Pondo Dwarf Chameleon (Wikipedia). It is currently classified as endangered in the IUCN Redlist of Endangered Species because its range is less than 5000 sq. km. Its listing in CITES Appendix II also makes trade of this species illegal.

References:

1) Chameleon Forums – www.chameleonforums.com/species/showtaxa.php?taxa=18
2) Wikipedia – en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transkei_dwarf_chameleon
3) Encyclopedia of Life – eol.org/pages/454031/details

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Bradypodion Damaranum or Knysna Dwarf Chameleon

Bradypodion Damaranum or the Knysna Dwarf Chameleon is one of the most colorful species of chameleon. The base colors or males range from brilliant green-blue to green. This species can be identified by a patch of scale-less skin behind the front legs which can be orange or yellow in color. Their head ridges are also brilliantly colored in a mixture of yellow, blue and black. Like many chameleons, it has a well-developed casque that points backward. This species also has large conical scales from the dorsal crest down to the tail (Chameleons Onlne Ezine).

Wild Knysna Dwarf Chameleon 2 ( Bradypodion Damaranum) Bradypodion is a moderately sized genus and the Damaranum is one of the larger species which can grow up to seven inches. Regardless of the scientific name, this species is not found on Damaraland or Namibia but is found in the dense wet forests of Knysna, Western Cape Province of South Africa (Wikipedia). It can adapt to captive environments similar to its native habitat. This is a rare species with limited range thus it is listed in CITES Appendix II (Biodiversity.org) so trade is illegal though there are some kept in Europe (Chameleons Onlne Ezine). Its IUCN conservation status however is yet to be evaluated.

References:

1) Chameleons Online E-zine – www.chameleonnews.com/10JulDeckersAnderson.html
2) Wikipedia – en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knysna_dwarf_chameleon
3) Biodiversity.org – www.biodiversity.org.na/taxondisplay.php?nr=2706

Images:

1) Main image supplied by Francois Strydom
2) Sub image supplied by Francois Strydom

Bradypodion Fischeri or Giant Fischer’s Chameleon

Bradypodion Fischeri or rather Kinyongia Fischeri is a horned chameleon species native to the Nguu and Nguru as well as the Usambara mountains in Tanzania Africa (Wikipedia). Its English name is Fischer’s Chameleon. It is a medium-size species which can grow from 30 to 32 cm (Camaleones.es). Its distinguishing feature is the large rostral scale which can grow up to 2cm from its mouth. They also have unevenly distributed conical scales on their backs. Males can have various colors like various shades of green, yellow, gray, brown and black.

Captive specimens are described to be very active and can live for seven years or more. Based on several Pet Websites (Replilica.de, Luckyreptile), this species is subject to limited trading. However, as of May2014, CITES lists this species as of ‘urgent concern’. Kinyongia Matschiei, Kinyongia Vosseleri, and Kinyongia Multituberculata used to be considered as subspecies for Kinyongia Fischeri but have been elevated as separate species (Reptile Database / Wikipedia) though they are still referred to as Fischer’s Chameleons. True Kinyongia Fischeri are actually rare.

References:

1) Camaleones.es – www.camaleones.es/fefischeri.htm
2) Wikipedia – en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fischer%27s_Chameleon
3) Reptilica – www.reptilica.de/product_info.php/product/Bradypodion-fischeri-Fischer-s-Chamaeleon
4) Reptile Database – reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Kinyongia&species=fischeri
5) CITES – www.cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/com/ac/27/wg/E-AC27-WG-01.pdf
Gwannon.com – www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=7&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CEoQFjAG&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gwannon.com%2Fspecies%2FBradypodion-fischeri%2Fpdf&ei=g04DVOj8OovU8gXqooDgAw&usg=AFQjCNFlxW6xZNnNVSwIPSOW5qDxHWyajg&sig2=LdQ8TfcHIyxu1RNM7a4WwQ

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Bradypodion Excubitor or Mt. Kenya Hornless Chameleon

Bradypodion Excubitor or rather Kinyongia Excubitor is a medium-size species of chameleon native to Kenya, thus its English name is the Mt. Kenya Hornless Chameleon (Bio-Ken Snake Farm). There is not much data on this species but based on internet images, its size is approximately 10cm. It is generally green, the head is without horns with a slightly raised casque at the back of its head and no gular nor ventral crest. It also has a dorsal crest where the scales gradually reduce in size towards the tail (Chameleon Forums).

Like the Kinyongia Carpenteri, the species was formerly assigned to Bradypodion but was later reassigned to Kinyongia (Wikipedia). This species live in montane forests in the mountains of Kenya.

There is currently no data regarding population and IUCN has no assessment (IUCN Redlist). There are also no CITES quotas for trade specified though there are rumors of illegal trade and harvesting for pets. This species is also rumored to be harvested as a cure for AIDS (iNaturalist).

References:

1) Bio-Ken Snake Farm – www.bio-ken.com/index.php/reptiles-and-amphibians/lizards/chameleons/item/mt-kenya-hornless-chameleon
2) Chameleon Forums – www.chameleonforums.com/species/showtaxa.php?taxa=162
3) iNaturalist – www.inaturalist.org/projects/chameleons-of-east-africa/assessments/593-kinyongia-excubitor
4) IUCN Redlist – www.iucnredlistassessments.org/about/forum/east_africa_chameleons/32974-2/

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Chamaeleo Laevigatus or Smooth Chameleon

Chamaeleo Laevigatus or Smooth Chameleon derives its name from the absence of flaps, nose lumps and horns which are present in other chameleons. This species can grow from 15 to 22 centimeters in length to a maximum size of 22 cm. (Kenya Reptiles). This chameleon is often bluish green with small scales. It has a very slender body and looks similar to the Senegal Chameleon (Chamaeleo Senegalensis) (Encyclopedia of Life).

Chamaeleo Laevigatus can be found in sub-Saharan Africa in the countries of Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, Congo, Uganda, Tanzania, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Zambia and the Central African Republic (Encyclopedia of Life). It is a relatively common species that lives in trees and bushes but surprisingly there is little recorded trade according to CITES and IUCN (IUCN Redlist).

Caring for Chamaeleo Laevigatus is similar to the care given to veiled chameleons (That Reptile Blog).

References:

1) Kenya Reptiles – http://www.kenyabeasts.org.uk/two.htm
2) Encyclopedia of Life – http://eol.org/pages/791807/details
3) IUCN Redlist – http://www.iucnredlistassessments.org/about/forum/east_africa_chameleons/97247-2/
4) Reptile Database – http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Chamaeleo&species=laevigatus
5) That Reptile Blog – http://blogs.thatpetplace.com/thatreptileblog/2009/10/12/interesting-facts-and-the-care-of-the-senegal-chameleon/#.U7ke1bFaFxs
6) CITES – Species Index – http://citesdnp.org/pdf_left/Checklist%20of%20CITES%20Species%202011.pdf

Triceros Jacksonii or Jacksons Chameleon

Jackson’s chameleon, also known as Triceros jacksonii, is a specie of chameleons most diverse in Madagascar and also found in Europe, Africa, Comoro Islands, India and Sri Lanka (François Le Berre, 2000). They are native to humid and cool regions and inhabit abundantly at elevations above 3000m. However, in 1971, Jackson’s chameleons (Chamaleo (Triceros) jacksonii xantholophus) were inadvertently inhabited on Oahu, Hawaii, and as of today have an established existence throughout the stretch of the Hawaiian Islands.

C Jacksonii species bear easily identifiable features. Typical male Jackson’s chameleon are green and can grow up to a maximum of 10-12 inches in length whereas females are found to be of 7-8 inches on an average (Bartlett, 2001).

Their body consists of a long, prehensile tail constituting for half its length. Males generally have 3 horns protruding from their forehead while females never have horns. Jackson’s chameleons have a prominent dorsal (under) ridge with a very rugged pattern of saw-tooth shaped scales and they do not have a gular crest (Bartlett, 2001).

Although capable of making noticeable colour changes, all subspecies of the Jackson’s chameleon are found to be in shades of green. A narrow to wide, light dorsolateral line, either entire or broken into dashes is generally present. A bright green colour is displayed when the males are involved in territorial fights. The newborns possess a dark-barred tan or are light grey coloured.

Jackson’s chameleons were unarguably the first chameleons to have been successfully held captive and they make up for good pets with an average life span of above 5 years with a few living up to 10 years. Generally, the males are found to outlive the females slightly. But they need to be well taken care of when bred. They need large areas for breeding when in captivity as they are native to forests. The suitable temperature gradient is from 65-80 F with humidity levels ranging between 60-80 %( Fry, Michael).

References:

1) Bartlett, R. D., and Patricia Bartlett. Jackson’s and Veiled Chameleons. Hauppauge, NY: Barron’s Educational Series, 2001. Print.
2) Berre, François Le, R. D. Bartlett, Patricia Bartlett, and François Le Berre. The Chameleon Handbook. Hauppauge, NY: Barron’s, 2000. Print.
3) Michael Fry. “Caring for your Jackson’s Chameleon.”

Images:

1) Main image supplied by Chicago John
2) Sub images supplied by Chicago John