CHAMELEON
The tiny Pygmy Leaf Chameleon, found in the tropical forests of Madagascar, is the smallest of the many species of chameleons, some measure less than 3 centimetres long.
The largest species is the Malagasy Giant Chameleon measuring up to 70 centimetres in length, they are also found in the jungles of Madagascar.
APPEARANCE:
The size of chameleons range between the 160 different species of them. Some are only an inch, whilst others are a few feet long. Some species of chameleon are able to change the colour of their skin, this allows them to camouflage into their surroundings. This is their most effective form of protection. These colours range from pinks, blues, reds, greens, oranges, blacks, browns, light blues, turquoises and yellows. They feature a large crest on the tops of their heads, have a curved tail and have zygodactyls feet. Although chameleons don’t have ears, chameleons are not deaf. Their large eyes allow them to have extremely good eyesight, especially considering they are a reptile. They 360 degree vision of bodies, which makes their hunting activities very effective. Also the length of their tongs (sometimes as long as their own body) help catch their prey.
HABITAT:
Half of the world’s chameleon population lives on the island of Madagascar. They are found throughout dense jungles and also in desert climates like Africa. They come from as far as Sri Lanka, Asia, and Southern Europe and have recently introduced themselves into North America. They enjoy the habitats of jungles, rain forests, Savannahs and deserts.
BEHAVIOURS:
The lifespan of chameleons range from 5 – 9 years. Their reproduction process is slow, a female will lay a clutch of around 20 eggs and will wait 4 – 12 months for them to hatch. In order to keep their eggs safe and warm, the female will first dig a deep hole in the forest floor in which she will bury them. The hole ranges from 10 – 30 centimetres deep, although it generally depends on the chameleons species.
Some chameleons are carnivorous, and some a vegetarians. Larger chameleons will sometimes hunt other small reptiles, although most eat berries, leaves, fruit, insects, snails and worms.
CAUSE FOR LOSS:
Because chameleons are very small creatures, they are the prime target for hungry predators. They are the common food of snakes and birds and other jungle creatures. They are threatened with extinction due to habitat changes and loss. The main reasons for their habitat loss is pollution, deforestation, jungle destruction and being kept in captivity. All of these are human causes, and something needs to be done about it.
ACTION:Unfortunitely, there is nothing being done to save these interesting and unique creatures. Although like any endangered animal, habitat conservation would be a great way to save the endangered chameleons. Because much of their habitat has been destroyed, so have chameleons and their families.
RESEARCH DOT POINTS:
Appearance:
-
Large eyes – have very good eyesight, especially for a reptile (360 degree vision of their bodies) this allows them to hunt very effectively
-
Curved tail
-
Range from an inch to a few feet in size
-
Some (not all) species of chameleon are able to change the colour of their skin, allowing themselves to camouflage into their surroundings
-
These colours include pink, blue, red, green, orange, black, brown, light blue, turquoise and yellow
-
Large crest on top of their heads
-
Do not have ears although are not deaf
-
Zygodactyls feet
Habitat:
-
Found throughout jungle and desert like climates in Africa, Asia, as far as Sri Lanka and Southern Europe
-
Have also introduced themselves into part of North America
-
Half of the world’s chameleon population lives on Madagascar
-
Jungles
-
Rain forests
-
Savannahs
-
Sometimes desserts
Behaviours:
-
In order to bury to her eggs to keep them safe and warm, the female chameleon firsts digs a hole in the forest floor in which to bury them. The hole can be from 10 to 30 cm deep, but the depth of the hole generally depends on the chameleon species
-
The female chameleon then lays a clutch of around 20 eggs
-
Eggs take from 4-12 months to hatch
-
Some species are carnivorous, some are vegetarians
-
Larger chameleons will even hunt other small reptiles
-
They also eat berries, leaves, fruits, insects, snails and worms
-
Their change of colour reflects their mood, temperature, and allows them to hide and communicate
-
Lifespan: 5 - 9 years
Cause for loss:
-
As they are small, they are a prime target for hungry predators
-
Snakes and birds are very common predators of chameleons
-
Threatened with extinction
-
Most likely due to habitat changes such as pollution and deforestation
-
Human habitat destruction and captivity
Features / other:
-
Very well-known lizard
-
Ove 160 different species of chameleons
-
The tiny pygmy leaf chameleon, found in the tropical forests of Madagascar, is the smallest of the many species of chameleons, some measure less than 3 centimetres long
-
Largest species is the Malagasy giant chameleon measuring up to 70 centimetres in length, they are also found in the jungles of Madagascar
-
Their tongues can be as long as their bodies