Lifespan, longevity, and ageing
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Maximum longevity: 4 years (captivity)
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- Joao Pedro de Magalhaes
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- de Magalhaes, J. P.
Biology
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Usually found amongst the branches of trees and bushes, the flap-necked chameleon will occasionally descend to the ground in order to seek out new feeding grounds or a mate (6) (7). Like other chameleon species, the flap-necked chameleon has a number of special adaptations for hunting. Its eyes are located on cone-shaped turrets, which can move independently, allowing it to look in two different directions simultaneously, while searching for its insect prey. Once spotted, prey is caught by means of the flap-necked chameleon's remarkable, extensile tongue. The contraction of special muscles within the tongue rapidly propels it towards the prey, which is snared by a combination of the tongue's sticky mucous coating and a vacuum created by muscles in the tip (8).
When threatened, the flap-necked chameleon presents a dramatic display, rocking from side-to-side, while raising its neck flaps, expanding its throat pouch and gaping its mouth (3) (4). Female flap-necked chameleons are larger than the males and outcompete them for the most favourable areas within their habitat, where prey is most abundant (7). The short mating season is the only time when females will allow males to approach them without conflict. After mating, the female once again becomes aggressive to males, turning black and butting heads with any that approach (6). After a gestation period of around one month (6), the female digs a hole in which the eggs are buried (2). While clutch sizes of up to 60 eggs have been recorded in captivity, in the wild, clutch size may be significantly smaller (2). Hatching takes place around 9 months later (4), with the young reaching sexual maturity after 9 to 12 months (2).
Conservation
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The flap-necked chameleon is listed on Appendix II of the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and any international trade in this species is therefore strictly controlled and regulated by annual maximum export quotas (1). Despite its popularity in the pet trade, at the present time this species appears to be widespread and common (6). Nevertheless, without proper monitoring of the effects of harvesting for the pet trade, the flap-necked chameleon's population is at risk of undergoing a significant, but undetected, population decline (5).
Description
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The flap-necked chameleon's common name derives from the large, movable flaps that protrude from either side of the upper surface of its neck (2) (3). Normally these flaps lie flat, over a bony protuberance at the back of the head called a “casque” (2), but during threat displays to deter rivals or predators, they can be raised and angled at 90 degrees to the head (2) (3). Males can be distinguished from females by their taller casques, larger flaps and by the small spurs which protrude from the hind legs of some subspecies. At rest, the flap-necked chameleon's body colouration is usually light green, brown or yellow, with a light or dark stripe extending across the flanks. The flap-necked chameleon's body is diffusely marked with numerous dark spots, which become bright yellow or orange when it is excited or ready to mate (2). Two low crests formed from large conical scales run down the centre of the upper and lower surfaces of the body (2), with the lower crest beginning at the throat and continuing unbroken over the belly (4).
Habitat
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The flap-necked chameleon occupies forest, bush and grassland savannah (6).
Range
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One of the most widely distributed chameleon species (2) (5), the flap-necked chameleon is found throughout almost all of southern and central Africa, with the northern limits of its range extending from Nigeria and Cameroon in the west to Somalia and Ethiopia in the east (1).
Status
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Listed on Appendix II of CITES (1).
Threats
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The flap-necked chameleon is one of the most extensively exported chameleon species with almost 50,000 individuals exported between 1977 and 2001. The greatest demand for these chameleons comes from the U.S.A. pet trade (5).
Flap-necked chameleon
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The flap-necked chameleon (Chamaeleo dilepis) is a species of arboreal chameleon, a lizard in the family Chamaeleonidae. The species is native to sub-Saharan Africa. There are eight recognized subspecies, including the nominotypical subspecies.
Subspecies
The following subspecies of the flap-necked chameleon are recognized as being valid.[2]
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Chamaeleo dilepis dilepis Leach, 1819 – flap-necked chameleon
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Chamaeleo dilepis idjwiensis Loveridge, 1942 – Idjwi Island flap-necked chameleon
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Chamaeleo dilepis isabellinus Günther, 1893 – Isabelline flap-necked chameleon
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Chamaeleo dilepis martensi Mertens, 1864 – Pemba Island flap-necked chameleon
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Chamaeleo dilepis petersii Gray, 1865 – Peters' flap-necked chameleon
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Chamaeleo dilepis quilensis Bocage, 1866
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Chamaeleo dilepis roperi Boulenger, 1890
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Chamaeleo dilepis ruspolii Boettger, 1893
Etymology
The subspecific name roperi is in honor of G.D. Trevor-Roper.[3]
The subspecific name ruspolii is in honor of Italian explorer Prince Eugenio Ruspoli.[3]
Description
Chamaeleo dilepis is a large chameleon, reaching a total length (including tail) of 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.[4]
Geographic range and habitat
Chamaeleo dilepis has a very wide distribution, occurring throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa from as far north as Ethiopia and Somalia to a western extreme of Cameroon, and as far south as northern South Africa. It inhabits coastal forest, moist or dry savannah, woodland and bushy grasslands, and may also venture into rural and suburban areas.[1]
Ecology
The adult female flap-necked chameleon lays 10-40 eggs in a hole dug in soil. The eggs take 10–12 months to hatch. The diet of C. dilepis includes a variety of invertebrates, although large individuals may take geckos and other chameleons. The species is itself commonly preyed on by snakes such as the boomslang and the twig snake.[1]
Captivity
Chamaeleo dilepis does well in captivity. It is mostly active during the day. When this species is in captivity, it is very important to create an environment very much like its natural climate. It may be fed a diet including crickets, mealworms, wax worms, and other locally caught insects. Its estimated life expectancy is 5–8 years.[5]
Conservation
The flap-necked chameleon is in heavy demand for the international pet trade, being the third most highly traded chameleon species. More than 111,000 individuals were exported between 1977 and 2011, mostly to the USA. No detrimental effects on the total population size have been observed so far, although more in-depth studies have been recommended. The species is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN.[1]
References
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Flap-necked chameleon: Brief Summary
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The flap-necked chameleon (Chamaeleo dilepis) is a species of arboreal chameleon, a lizard in the family Chamaeleonidae. The species is native to sub-Saharan Africa. There are eight recognized subspecies, including the nominotypical subspecies.
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