The African chameleon or Sahel chameleon (Chamaeleo africanus) is a species of chameleon native to the Sahel and Nile Valley, with an introduced population present in Greece.[2] An average size may be around 34 cm (13 in) long, including its tail.[3]
Chamaeleo africanus is found in much of the Sahel, from Mali and Mauritania to Sudan.[4] Its range also extends north along the Nile to Egypt, although it might have been introduced there.[5] From Egypt, the species has been brought to the Peloponnese.[6] It lives in dry savanna.[2]
Descriptionedit
The African chameleon is a slow-moving, laterally flattened species growing to a maximum length of 46 cm (18 in). It has bulbous eyes which can move independently of each other and a prehensile tail. It is very similar in appearance to the common chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) but has no flaps at the back of its head and is rather larger.[7] It is often green with many black spots, but like other chameleons, is capable of changing its colour. It has a large bony casque on its head. It has long limbs, and the male has tarsal spurs.[5][6]
Behaviouredit
The African chameleon is usually found on the lower branches of trees, on shrubs and on reeds (Phragmites). It grasps its support with its four-toed feet, a pair of toes on either side of the branch, and its tail, and remains stationary or advances slowly and stealthily. It feeds mainly on insects which it catches by suddenly extending its sticky-tipped tongue. It may also eat small lizards or fledgling birds.[7] The female descends to the ground to breed and lays a clutch of up to seventy eggs in an underground nest. These take about three months to hatch and the young chameleons take a year or more to reach maturity.[2]
Referencesedit
^Wilms, T.; Wagner, P.; Chirio, L.; Böhme, W.; Lymberakis, P.; Baha El Din, S. (2014). "Chamaeleo africanus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T157273A747133. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T157273A747133.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
^ abc. Reptiles. arkive.org. Archived from the original on 2013-06-25. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
^"Chamaeleo africanus". EOL. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
^"Chamaeleo africanus Laurenti, 1768". reptile-database. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
^ ab. lifedesk. Archived from the original on January 4, 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
^ ab. Library. wildlife-archipelago. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
^ abArnold, E. Nicholas; Ovenden, Denys W. (2002). Field Guide: Reptiles & Amphibians of Britain & Europe. Collins & Co. p. 120. ISBN9780002199643.
January 01, 1970
african, chameleon, sahel, chameleon, chamaeleo, africanus, species, chameleon, native, sahel, nile, valley, with, introduced, population, present, greece, average, size, around, long, including, tail, conservation, status, least, concern, iucn, scientific, cl. The African chameleon or Sahel chameleon Chamaeleo africanus is a species of chameleon native to the Sahel and Nile Valley with an introduced population present in Greece 2 An average size may be around 34 cm 13 in long including its tail 3 African chameleon Conservation status Least Concern IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classification Domain Eukaryota Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Reptilia Order Squamata Suborder Iguania Family Chamaeleonidae Genus Chamaeleo Species C africanus Binomial name Chamaeleo africanusLaurenti 1768 Synonyms Sahel Chameleon source source source source source Silent movie from a zoo Raymond L Ditmars 1915 Collection EYE Film Institute Netherlands Contents 1 Range 2 Description 3 Behaviour 4 ReferencesRange editChamaeleo africanus is found in much of the Sahel from Mali and Mauritania to Sudan 4 Its range also extends north along the Nile to Egypt although it might have been introduced there 5 From Egypt the species has been brought to the Peloponnese 6 It lives in dry savanna 2 Description editThe African chameleon is a slow moving laterally flattened species growing to a maximum length of 46 cm 18 in It has bulbous eyes which can move independently of each other and a prehensile tail It is very similar in appearance to the common chameleon Chamaeleo chamaeleon but has no flaps at the back of its head and is rather larger 7 It is often green with many black spots but like other chameleons is capable of changing its colour It has a large bony casque on its head It has long limbs and the male has tarsal spurs 5 6 Behaviour editThe African chameleon is usually found on the lower branches of trees on shrubs and on reeds Phragmites It grasps its support with its four toed feet a pair of toes on either side of the branch and its tail and remains stationary or advances slowly and stealthily It feeds mainly on insects which it catches by suddenly extending its sticky tipped tongue It may also eat small lizards or fledgling birds 7 The female descends to the ground to breed and lays a clutch of up to seventy eggs in an underground nest These take about three months to hatch and the young chameleons take a year or more to reach maturity 2 References edit Wilms T Wagner P Chirio L Bohme W Lymberakis P Baha El Din S 2014 Chamaeleo africanus IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2014 e T157273A747133 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2014 3 RLTS T157273A747133 en Retrieved 19 November 2021 a b c Sahel chameleon Chamaeleo africanus Reptiles arkive org Archived from the original on 2013 06 25 Retrieved 23 April 2013 Chamaeleo africanus EOL Retrieved 23 April 2013 Chamaeleo africanus Laurenti 1768 reptile database Retrieved 23 April 2013 a b Chamaeleo africanus Laurenti 1768 lifedesk Archived from the original on January 4 2014 Retrieved 23 April 2013 a b African Chameleon Chamaeleo africanus Library wildlife archipelago Archived from the original on 4 January 2014 Retrieved 23 April 2013 a b Arnold E Nicholas Ovenden Denys W 2002 Field Guide Reptiles amp Amphibians of Britain amp Europe Collins amp Co p 120 ISBN 9780002199643 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title African chameleon amp oldid 1213849158, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
