Trioceros hoehnelii

Trioceros hoehnelli, commonly known as Von Hohnel's chameleon, and the helmeted or high-casqued chameleon, is a species of chameleon found in eastern Africa, primarily Uganda and Kenya. It was named after the Austrian explorer Ludwig von Höhnel (1857-1942).^[1]

Identification

Trioceros hoehnelli is a small to medium-size chameleon, growing up to 10 inches in total length. Coloration is highly variable across its range. During morning hours, it may be seen basking in the sunlight, almost completely black in color to capture heat energy from the sunlight. This species has a single horn on the rostrum, a serrated back crest, and a spiny throat crest.^[2] Males are typically larger than females with a larger casque, horn, and enlarged tail base.

Behavior

Most chameleons in east Africa tend to be territorial and the high-casqued chameleon is no different. If males are placed together, they will hiss at each other, turn black, and compress their bodies to make them look larger. Dominant males display brightly colored patterns that differ from females or subordinate males, which often persist until they are defeated during a courtship battle.^[3]

T. hoehnelli forms stable pair bonds during the mating season, which endure throughout the five months of pregnancy. After the birth, the pair usually splits up.^[4]

The high-casqued chameleon eats most small insects and spiders, and does so by extending the tongue to capture the prey. It is capable of extending the tongue more than a complete body length.

References