Something special - Bradypodion ngomeense in the field.

[melanocephalum]

Ngome Dwarf Chameleon - Bradypodion ngomeense

This species has been on my wish list to find in the field for years, I've just not had the opportunity to go out and look for it, so I took the 789km round trip to find the species this past Saturday and this is what I managed to find. This species is poorly represented in terms of photographs (a quick google search will show you this) and information so I trust many of you may find this species something interesting.

The first specimen was discovered in 1994 but was only recently described in 2009 by Tilbury & Tolley.
Endemic to a single forest patch in North-eastern Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa.
Habitat: Typically found on the edges of forest paths as well as high in the canopies (in excess +4m from the forest floors)
Vegetation Type: Southern Mistbelt Forest.

Sub-adult Male - Bradypodion ngomeense
Day time photos

As found in situ: Night time photos

Sub Adult Female Bradypodion ngomeense in situ:
Night time photos

Adult Female Bradypodion ngomeense insitu:
Night time photos

Day time shot:

I have now found and photographed 15/17 Bradypodion species in South Africa. Only two more to go:
Bradypodion nemorale
Bradypodion kentanicum

For more pictures:
http://www.tyroneping.co.za/chameleons/bradypodion-ngomeense/
http://www.tyroneping.co.za/chameleons/

Thanks for looking
For size comparison Adult female Bradypodion ngomeense

#1melanocephalum, Today at 10:35 AM

 

[Chris Anderson]

Great find, Tyrone! This is definitely a beautiful species. Nice to see some additional pictures of these guys. Glad to see you're checking off your list of Bradypodion too!

Chris

 

[melanocephalum]

Great find, Tyrone! This is definitely a beautiful species. Nice to see some additional pictures of these guys. Glad to see you're checking off your list of Bradypodion too!

Chris

Thanks Chris, now to find the other two described species before the "undescribed" species get elevated.