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Common Chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) conservation in Andalusia, Spain (part 1)
The chameleon family (Chamaeleonidae) comprises about 100 species. Even though their shapes, colors and habits are very different, all species share common features such as zygodactylous feet, colour change, projectile tongue and independently moving, stereoscopic eyes.
Chameleons are found mostly in Africa, Madagascar and in the Arabian Peninsula, inhabiting both rainforests and sub arid areas. However, one particular species has found a favorable habitat in the Mediterranean.
The common chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) has, in fact, a circum-Mediterranean distribution. Its range includes the Iberian Peninsula, North Africa, Turkey, the Peloponnese, the islands of Cyprus, Crete, Samos, and Chios, Malta and according to some, even Sicily and Apulia in Italy.
Figure 1 : Specimen of common chameleon found in the dunes of Chipiona ( Cadiz )
The northern edge of the common chameleon range includes five Spanish provinces of the autonomous community of Andalusia (Almeria , Granada , Malaga, Cadiz and Huelva) and the province of Faro in Portugal . Common chameleon populations in Andalusia occupy a total area of about 450 km2 , located mainly in the province of Malaga (320 km2 with up to 30 animals per hectare of surveyed land ) .The second and third most populated provinces are Cadiz (75 km2) and Huelva ( 30 km2 )
As mentioned above, the area with the highest chameleon density is Malaga. Here, the Centre for the Conservation and Recovery of the Common Chameleon (part of the Biodiversity Control Centre) was founded in 2010 by the Municipality of Malaga.
This centre deals with the recovery of chameleons found injured or in poor physical condition in urban areas. Animals kept in the centre receive the necessary veterinary care followed by a period of semi- captivity in large outdoor cages with native vegetation, before being reintroduced into their natural habitat (Mediterranean shrub land, pine forests, non dense secondary forests).
Figure 2: Indoor area of the Centro de Control de la Biodiversidad (photo owned by the Centro de Control de la Biodiversidad - Ayuntamiento de Málaga)
The Centre is in fact composed of two areas, an indoor first aid area and an outdoor area for acclimation. The indoor area consists in a large warehouse equipped with screen cages, glass terrariums (all well planted with spot and UVB lamps), veterinary equipment and an incubator.
The outdoor area consists in an open space set with native Mediterranean vegetation. There are two large screen cages that allow chameleons to re acclimate after the necessary captivity period when they receive vet care. Here, chameleons can feed off the same insects they would find in the wild, without the risk of predation by birds of prey or other animals.
Figure 3: The Centre’s Outdoor Area (photo owned by the Centro de Control de la Biodiversidad - Ayuntamiento de Málaga)
During 2012 only, forty nine chameleons were recovered and reintroduced in two protected areas near Malaga. In addition to these, the same year, 8 babies were born from a pregnant female that laid her eggs in the acclimation area before being reintroduced. This year, two males and four females have been released in June, while in August three males and three females have been reintroduced. Furthermore, there will probably be another reintroduction this October.
Figure 4: Reintroduction of a female common chameleon (photo owned by the Centro de Control de la Biodiversidad - Ayuntamiento de Málaga)
I visited the Centre at the end of June and I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Joaquin Santaolalla, the veterinarian in charge of the chameleons’ rescue. A very competent professional as well as a true chameleon fan! He told me that last December another recovering female had laid her eggs in the outdoor area and a few days ago he informed me that the eggs have hatched and 33 little chameleons will be re-introduced next spring!
Figure 5: Common chameleon hatchling born in August 2013 in the Centre.
Figure 6: Common chameleon hatchling born in June 2013.
The chameleon family (Chamaeleonidae) comprises about 100 species. Even though their shapes, colors and habits are very different, all species share common features such as zygodactylous feet, colour change, projectile tongue and independently moving, stereoscopic eyes.
Chameleons are found mostly in Africa, Madagascar and in the Arabian Peninsula, inhabiting both rainforests and sub arid areas. However, one particular species has found a favorable habitat in the Mediterranean.
The common chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) has, in fact, a circum-Mediterranean distribution. Its range includes the Iberian Peninsula, North Africa, Turkey, the Peloponnese, the islands of Cyprus, Crete, Samos, and Chios, Malta and according to some, even Sicily and Apulia in Italy.
Figure 1 : Specimen of common chameleon found in the dunes of Chipiona ( Cadiz )
The northern edge of the common chameleon range includes five Spanish provinces of the autonomous community of Andalusia (Almeria , Granada , Malaga, Cadiz and Huelva) and the province of Faro in Portugal . Common chameleon populations in Andalusia occupy a total area of about 450 km2 , located mainly in the province of Malaga (320 km2 with up to 30 animals per hectare of surveyed land ) .The second and third most populated provinces are Cadiz (75 km2) and Huelva ( 30 km2 )
As mentioned above, the area with the highest chameleon density is Malaga. Here, the Centre for the Conservation and Recovery of the Common Chameleon (part of the Biodiversity Control Centre) was founded in 2010 by the Municipality of Malaga.
This centre deals with the recovery of chameleons found injured or in poor physical condition in urban areas. Animals kept in the centre receive the necessary veterinary care followed by a period of semi- captivity in large outdoor cages with native vegetation, before being reintroduced into their natural habitat (Mediterranean shrub land, pine forests, non dense secondary forests).
Figure 2: Indoor area of the Centro de Control de la Biodiversidad (photo owned by the Centro de Control de la Biodiversidad - Ayuntamiento de Málaga)
The Centre is in fact composed of two areas, an indoor first aid area and an outdoor area for acclimation. The indoor area consists in a large warehouse equipped with screen cages, glass terrariums (all well planted with spot and UVB lamps), veterinary equipment and an incubator.
The outdoor area consists in an open space set with native Mediterranean vegetation. There are two large screen cages that allow chameleons to re acclimate after the necessary captivity period when they receive vet care. Here, chameleons can feed off the same insects they would find in the wild, without the risk of predation by birds of prey or other animals.
Figure 3: The Centre’s Outdoor Area (photo owned by the Centro de Control de la Biodiversidad - Ayuntamiento de Málaga)
During 2012 only, forty nine chameleons were recovered and reintroduced in two protected areas near Malaga. In addition to these, the same year, 8 babies were born from a pregnant female that laid her eggs in the acclimation area before being reintroduced. This year, two males and four females have been released in June, while in August three males and three females have been reintroduced. Furthermore, there will probably be another reintroduction this October.
Figure 4: Reintroduction of a female common chameleon (photo owned by the Centro de Control de la Biodiversidad - Ayuntamiento de Málaga)
I visited the Centre at the end of June and I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Joaquin Santaolalla, the veterinarian in charge of the chameleons’ rescue. A very competent professional as well as a true chameleon fan! He told me that last December another recovering female had laid her eggs in the outdoor area and a few days ago he informed me that the eggs have hatched and 33 little chameleons will be re-introduced next spring!
Figure 5: Common chameleon hatchling born in August 2013 in the Centre.
Figure 6: Common chameleon hatchling born in June 2013.
