Chamaeleo namaquensis

Distribution Map:

Namaqua Chameleon – Chamaeleo namaquensis

Size:

A large robust bodied chameleon reaching over 25cm

Colour:

Shifting between a light and dark brown and when at its lightest forms patches with darker greys. When harassed or cold they can be almost pitch black. Often with red/orange dorsal crests, along the casque and around the eye sockets.

Habitat:
Gravel plains in Namibia and dry arid regions of the Karoo and Namaqualand in South Africa.

Field Notes:

A true dinosaur of the desert and gravel plains. These large chameleons may travel vast distances between gravels plains as well as small shrubs and sparsely planted bushed in Namaqualand and the Namib. Often seen crossing roads between sand dunes and gravel plains along the skeleton coast of Namibia, interestingly when they sleep they have been recorded sleeping grasping onto rounds in well exposed regions of the desert relying on their excellent camouflage. In South Africa these chameleons are rarely encountered. These chameleons are highly prized by collectors and Namibia has a problem with these animals being illegally collected and exported, even to the extend where wild animals where being micro chipped to become traceable.