Chameleon of Malta

Forestdellic

Forestdellic

New Member
Hi guys I just wanted to share some pictures of my Native species of chameleon. It can be found in many wooded areas and garigue environments here in Malta. They seem to feed a lot on local cicadas. Whenever you find cicadas there are usually a few chameleons nearby.

These pictures where taken at a place called Bingemma. It used to be an old military fort back in WWII and now is over run by vegetation. I found this little guy crossing the dirt road while off-roading there :D

Species; Chamaeleo chamaeleon










 
Good and healthy looking! Nice to see some chameleons in the wild! Wish I lived somewhere that I could see them in my backyard! Thanks for sharing!
 
I would love to live somewhere that chameleons just wander about! Very pretty!

Be cautious about exposing a wild chameleon to an intense pattern like in photo two. I read on the internet that he could explode! (Haha) :D
 
Lathis said:
I would love to live somewhere that chameleons just wander about! Very pretty!

Be cautious about exposing a wild chameleon to an intense pattern like in photo two. I read on the internet that he could explode! (Haha) :D
Click to expand...

I wish we had more varieties, like Madagascar :D :D The ones over here are pretty cool though. If I am successful at healing my current veils I might join my local exotic vet who is currently rehabilitating local chams. He makes part of a conservation group called "Nature Trust Malta". I make part of the rehab team but only for hedgehogs so far.

It's okay, they only explode when they are exposed to a red background because of their blood :p :p
 
Are the leaves thinning on the trees? Why do you think you found them in the grass? The adult looked fairly thin.
 
That is very cool to be able to find chameleons while out and about on a walk.
:)

Thanks for sharing your pics. And, keep posting more for all to enjoy!
 
Adman said:
I'm heading to Malta for work in 2 weeks, I had no idea they had chameleons there.
Click to expand...

They were released by a random guy back in around 1890, only 12 of them. They have since populated the entire island + Gozo as they have no natural enemy (except stray cats which is getting more and more out of hand). The climate is excellent and they seem to be doing OK during the colder months as well.
 
Rawsons said:
Hope it is OK to steal the forum for a few pictures :) We went for a herping trip last night in a forested area of Malta and saw a total of 34 (!!) chameleons during 1,5 hours. Here are some pictures. Edit: I have no idea why the images appear so huge, so here are the links instead:

http://imgur.com/1lJMQPv

http://i.imgur.com/QxIleLZ.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/60Baits.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/SzSQnhv.jpg
Click to expand...


Nice picture capture! Which Forested Area did you visit? :) Mzieb? Buskett? Ahrax tal-Mellieha? :D:D

I never was able to see that many chams in one visiting hehe It's nice to know they are still abundant and thriving ^^

Chameleons have been around for around 200years in Malta and they are invasive but they had an extensive amount of time to adapt and accumulate themselves to our climate. They barely have enemies here and seem to feed a lot on the local cicada and other insects. Our winters do not get cold, barely falling below 10C (although this year was a record haha)
 
Forestdellic said:
Nice picture capture! Which Forested Area did you visit? :) Mzieb? Buskett? Ahrax tal-Mellieha? :D:D

I never was able to see that many chams in one visiting hehe It's nice to know they are still abundant and thriving ^^

Chameleons have been around for around 200years in Malta and they are invasive but they had an extensive amount of time to adapt and accumulate themselves to our climate. They barely have enemies here and seem to feed a lot on the local cicada and other insects. Our winters do not get cold, barely falling below 10C (although this year was a record haha)
Click to expand...

Yea I know :)

I would not want to disclose the location, but one of those yea. I live here in Malta but it was a nice experience for me as well.

About the cold, we did a few pics in February in 5 degrees, boy they were slow...
 
Hey just stumbled upon this thread ..I am a Maltese local and have been into chams, both local and not, for quite a while.

Myself and another couple of guys organize hikes to find chameleons..shoot me a pm should you wish to join someday ;)
 
GrimsbyPatchwork said:
Hey just stumbled upon this thread ..I am a Maltese local and have been into chams, both local and not, for quite a while.

Myself and another couple of guys organize hikes to find chameleons..shoot me a pm should you wish to join someday ;)
Click to expand...

I'm starting to realize there are more Maltese here than I originally thought :D will definitely hit you a pm! Would love to join!

I didn't know there were any cham owners in Malta either ;)

brendan0923 said:
Wow, that's so cool. I wish I lived in an area where chameleons are native! At least I have rattlesnakes.[emoji23]
Click to expand...

Ah you lucky B!!!! I love rattlesnakes! Western or Eastern? :p
 
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