Chameleon Species Photographs & Highlights
- Thread starter NHenn
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Andie
Avid Member
The Werner looks just like mossy tree bark.
NHenn
Avid Member
Most of the chameleons species we see in the hobby are from the island of Madagascar so we are taking a short break from some of the mainland chameleons to highlight some species of Madagascar.
Today we have the small but intense Furcifer willsii, also known commonly as the Canopy Chameleon. The F. willsii is small Furcifer species very similar to the F. petteri. For those who are familiar with the Carpet Chameleon these guys are only about half the size of a Carpet but don’t let their miniature stature fool you as both the males and females can really display some intense coloration and attitude.
As previously stated, the F. willsii is endemic to Madagascar. It resides in the north, central and central northeast regions of the island. They are an arboreal species often found high in the canopy mostly in humid forests. It is believed that the population of the F. willsii is declining. However, it is still considered of least concern by IUCN as there just isn’t enough evidence at this time to reclassify them as threatened or even endangered.
F. willsii is a CITES appendix II species along with most of the other chameleons species. Large numbers where exported from Madagascar before 1993 prior to the Madagascar ban. Until recently, this ban which has since been lifted prevented any more from being exported so to date only a very limited number of animals have come into the US.
Both males and females at rest contain mostly a lime green coloration. When in an elevated state, the females become extremely impressive and there greens darken to black coloration with bright yellow highlights.
First up are the males, we hope you enjoy!
Today we have the small but intense Furcifer willsii, also known commonly as the Canopy Chameleon. The F. willsii is small Furcifer species very similar to the F. petteri. For those who are familiar with the Carpet Chameleon these guys are only about half the size of a Carpet but don’t let their miniature stature fool you as both the males and females can really display some intense coloration and attitude.
As previously stated, the F. willsii is endemic to Madagascar. It resides in the north, central and central northeast regions of the island. They are an arboreal species often found high in the canopy mostly in humid forests. It is believed that the population of the F. willsii is declining. However, it is still considered of least concern by IUCN as there just isn’t enough evidence at this time to reclassify them as threatened or even endangered.
F. willsii is a CITES appendix II species along with most of the other chameleons species. Large numbers where exported from Madagascar before 1993 prior to the Madagascar ban. Until recently, this ban which has since been lifted prevented any more from being exported so to date only a very limited number of animals have come into the US.
Both males and females at rest contain mostly a lime green coloration. When in an elevated state, the females become extremely impressive and there greens darken to black coloration with bright yellow highlights.
First up are the males, we hope you enjoy!
Andie
Avid Member
WHOA!. That is amazing, Nick!
Actually the females remind me of a flapneck. Very similar profile.
Thanks for sharing!
NHenn
Avid Member
We have a new species highlight today joining us all the way from Mozambique, Africa. The extremely beautiful yet extremely underrated Flap-necked chameleon, Chamaeleo dilepis. This particular pair displaying the blue neck flaps comes from Mozambique but C. dilepis is widely distributed throughout southern and eastern Africa. They have been found as far west as Cameroon, east to Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Uganda, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, and all the way south to Botswana, Namibia, Malawi, Mozambique and South Africa!
Chamaeleo dilepis is an Appendix II of CITES and is given on average a quota of 12,000 per year. From 1977 to 2011 a total of 111,734 animals were exported from across the native ranges for this species. Despite the enormous amount of animals exported, the captive born populations of them in the hobby is virtually nonexistent. This could be due to many different contributing factors but one of the main downfalls to their success is the general lack of market demand for this species.
Until witnessing the pure beauty of the C. dilepis first hand, we too placed them with the typical stereotype of being a common and not very fascinating species to keep. Boy were we wrong and I hope that after seeing the photographs of these chameleons others too will have an a-ha moment and gain a new appreciation and respect for the Flap-necked chameleons as we did.
As one can see from the photographs, the females generally possess a solid vibrant green coloration across their entire body. However, once they are agitated the underlying black spots and dark green baring starts to appear. Although not photographed, they also have the ability to raise their occipital lobes (neck flaps) in order to appear larger and display more aggression.
The male’s physical characteristics are similar to that of the females but as seen with this particular male, he has the ability to display an amazing yellow throughout his body, highlighted with black spots and of course accented by his blue occipital lobes. After seeing the hidden beauty in this species, the Flap-necked chameleon will always be one of the top most inspiring animals that we had the honor to photograph.
Chamaeleo dilepis is an Appendix II of CITES and is given on average a quota of 12,000 per year. From 1977 to 2011 a total of 111,734 animals were exported from across the native ranges for this species. Despite the enormous amount of animals exported, the captive born populations of them in the hobby is virtually nonexistent. This could be due to many different contributing factors but one of the main downfalls to their success is the general lack of market demand for this species.
Until witnessing the pure beauty of the C. dilepis first hand, we too placed them with the typical stereotype of being a common and not very fascinating species to keep. Boy were we wrong and I hope that after seeing the photographs of these chameleons others too will have an a-ha moment and gain a new appreciation and respect for the Flap-necked chameleons as we did.
As one can see from the photographs, the females generally possess a solid vibrant green coloration across their entire body. However, once they are agitated the underlying black spots and dark green baring starts to appear. Although not photographed, they also have the ability to raise their occipital lobes (neck flaps) in order to appear larger and display more aggression.
The male’s physical characteristics are similar to that of the females but as seen with this particular male, he has the ability to display an amazing yellow throughout his body, highlighted with black spots and of course accented by his blue occipital lobes. After seeing the hidden beauty in this species, the Flap-necked chameleon will always be one of the top most inspiring animals that we had the honor to photograph.
Peachypink
Chameleon Enthusiast
Amazing!
Andie
Avid Member
OH NICK! You made my day! I grinned through the entire reading of your post. What gorgeous animals you had!
My very first Cham was a dilepsis named "Mugsy "
Unfortunately, it was WC. I was inexperienced and he died within a month from stress and who knows what else.
I searched for months for a CB, but finally gave up.
I thought it the most beautiful creature!
Thank you for sharing all your animals with those of us that dream of having all those different species!
My very first Cham was a dilepsis named "Mugsy "
Unfortunately, it was WC.
I was inexperienced and he died within a month from stress and who knows what else.I searched for months for a CB, but finally gave up.
I thought it the most beautiful creature!
Thank you for sharing all your animals with those of us that dream of having all those different species!
NHenn
Avid Member
OH NICK! You made my day! I grinned through the entire reading of your post. What gorgeous animals you had!
My very first Cham was a dilepsis named "Mugsy "
Unfortunately, it was WC.
I searched for months for a CB, but finally gave up.
I thought it the most beautiful creature!
Thank you for sharing all your animals with those of us that dream of having all those different species!
You are very welcome!!!!
I'm sorry to hear about your first experience with them. Maybe in the future you will be able to find some CB and you can enjoy keeping one again! They are an incredible species.
Rapunzel's Pascal
Avid Member
Omg, thank you for sharing your amazing knowledge and photographs. Absolutely stunning. I adore the very last photo.
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