The graceful chameleon (Chamaeleo gracilis) is a species of chameleon native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is commonly around a foot (30.5 cm) long. Because of its abundance, it is heavily exploited by the pet trade.[4]
| Graceful chameleon | |
|---|---|
| |
| Chamaeleo gracilis | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Chamaeleonidae |
| Genus: | Chamaeleo |
| Species: | C. gracilis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Chamaeleo gracilis Hallowell, 1844
| |
| |
| Synonyms[2][3] | |
Geographic range
editThe graceful chameleon inhabits much of sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal in the west to Angola in the south and Ethiopia in the east. It mostly lives in forests, though it tolerates bushy areas near plantations and savanna.[4]
Description
editC. gracilis is often green, yellow, or brown, with a green stripe on its side.[4] Although it is usually a foot (30.5 cm) in total length (including tail), it can grow up to 15 inches (38 cm) in total length.[5]
Behavior
editThe graceful chameleon is diurnal; it hunts for prey during the morning and evening, while it rests in the shade during the hottest part of the day. Males are very territorial, and often threaten each other with colorful displays.[4] It eats insects,[5] and can live up to 10 years in captivity.[6]
Reproduction
editC. gracilis breeds twice per year, once in the dry season and again at the end of the wet season.[4] 20 to 50 eggs are laid per clutch.[4][5]
Subspecies
editTwo subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.[3]
Etymology
editThe subspecific name, etiennei, is in honor of Belgian physician and entomologist "Dr. Etienne" who assisted the Congo Expedition of the American Museum of Natural History.[7]
References
edit- ^ Tolley, K.; Luiselli, L.; Niagate, B.; Penner, J.; Trape, J.-F.; Rödel, M.-O.; Segniagbeto, G.; Wagner, P. (2014). "Chamaeleo gracilis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T172536A1344573. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T172536A1344573.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ Boulenger GA (1885). Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume III. ... Chamæleontidæ. London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xii + 575 pp. + Plates I–XL. (Chamæleon gracilis, pp. 448–449 + Plate XXXIX, figure 4).
- ^ a b "Chamaeleo gracilis ". The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
- ^ a b c d e f "Graceful chameleon videos, photos and facts - Chamaeleo gracilis - ARKive". Archived from the original on 2013-06-19. Retrieved 2013-07-02.
- ^ a b c Graceful Chameleon, Chamaeleo gracilis. Chameleon Facts and Images
- ^ Ha Ha Reptiles: Graceful Chameleon
- ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Chamaeleo etiennei, p. 86).
Further reading
edit- Hallowell E (1844). "Description of a new species of Chameleon from Western Africa". Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 1841: 111–115. (Chamæleo gracilis, new species).