Help needed in identifying cham

[Shawn Orton]

Hi all.

I received this Bradypodion a couple of months ago from someone who picked it up at a refuse dump site and I am struggling to correctly identify it.
It does look very gravid to me and I suspect it might be very close to giving birth.

Any input will be appreciated.
Also attached are pictures of 2 Bradypodion Pumilum that were also rescued.
Cheers

 

[Chris Anderson]

It appears to be Bradypodion damaranum. Does it have a skin patch that does not seem to have scales on it behind the front arms? A better idea of exactly where it was rescued from would also help.

Chris

 

[eisentrauti]

Definitly Bradypodium damaranum ! The Bradypodion pumilum male looks gorgeous !

 

[Shawn Orton]

Thanks Eisentrauti! The camera does not really do it justice.

Chris, it was found in the Gordons Bay area about 50km from Cape Town.
However, a very similar one was also found by my uncle who lives in Mosselbaai about 350km from Cape Town.
I came across a dead one in the gutter not even 300m from my house!
It looked slightly different & was overall a dull green colour.
There are still chameleons to be found in most of the older suburbs in and around Cape Town but unfortunately many of them become casualties of hedge trimming & other landscaping. My friend owns a gardening service and quite often sees chameleons after hetrims branches at client's residences. He normally puts them back straight away but I believe there are many that are not as fortunate or are not seen at all.

She may be a dull colour but every so often she gets the most amazing bluegreen spots all over her body.

I am attaching a closeup image of the area you mentioned & yes, I do believe there is a patch that has no scales behind the forearms.

Thanks a ton for the advice.

Cheers.