Flap-necked chameleon

Flap-necked chameleon
At night in the Kalahari desert, South Africa
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Sauria
Family:	Chamaeleonidae
Genus:	Chamaeleo
Species:	C. dilepis
Binomial name
Chamaeleo dilepis Leach, 1819

The flap-necked chameleon, Chamaeleo dilepis, is native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is a large chameleon, reaching 35 cm (14 in). Colouring ranges through various shades of green, yellow, and brown. There is usually a pale stripe on the lower flanks and one to three pale patches higher on the flanks. These chameleons lay 25 to 50 eggs in a hole dug in soil, which is covered over again by the female. Food includes grasshoppers, butterflies and flies. This chameleon is kept as a pet.

Subspecies

• Flap-necked chameleon, C. d. dilepis
• Idjwi Island flap-necked chameleon, C. d. idjwiensis
• Isabelline flap-necked chameleon, C. d. isabellinus
• Pemba Island flap-necked chameleon, C. d. martensi
• Peters' flap-necked chameleon, C. d. petersii

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chamaeleo dilepis.

Bibliography

• Branch, B. (1988). Field Guide to the Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa. ISBN 0-86977-641-X.
• Tolley, K. and Burger, M. (2007). Chameleons of Southern Africa. ISBN 978-1-77007-375-3.

References