Why do Yemen Chameleons have such high casques?

[PetNcs]

Who knows the relevant answer?

 

[JoshOfTheJungle]

I’m going to guess because they’re from hot environments so it’ll help every little bit of condensation funnel to their mouths as possible?

 

[KRGEE21]

Who knows the relevant answer?

Moisture collection, and I suppose also for territorial/mating display

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

Temperature regulation.

 

[MissSkittles]

Since females have smaller casques than males, I’m going to say it has to do with mating...larger casques signify stronger genes. Would also help with territorial display.

 

[jamest0o0]

Because god wanted them to be closer to heaven

 

[PetNcs]

I’m going to guess because they’re from hot environments so it’ll help every little bit of condensation funnel to their mouths as possible?

Nono, nothing like rhat

 

[PetNcs]

Moisture collection, and I suppose also for territorial/mating display

No, rhey do not collect moisture on casques
No, no mating display in strict sense

 

[PetNcs]

Temperature regulation.

Nono, the do not use it for this purpose

 

[PetNcs]

Since females have smaller casques than males, I’m going to say it has to do with mating...larger casques signify stronger genes. Would also help with territorial display.

umfortunately, nothing like rhat

 

[PetNcs]

It is very interesting...
One of the most prominent festures of the Best known chameleon in caltivity
And prople
Jave no clue whatnis rhe meaning of their casques...

 

[Hydra_cosplay]

Extra food/water storage sort of like a camel?

 

[KRGEE21]

No, rhey do not collect moisture on casques
No, no mating display in strict sense

Storage for nutrients?

 

[PetNcs]

Because god wanted them to be closer to heaven

Good one and a solutely correct in ultimate terms. LOL

 

[PetNcs]

Extra food/water storage sort of like a camel?

No, nothing like that, it is very weakly vasculsrized and does nit take part on this process

 

[Lil’ Sneak]

Who knows the relevant answer?

Please, obviously no one knows...please enlighten us. I am genuinely curious now!

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

Nono, nothing like rhat

Then someone needs to inform the San Diego Zoo.

The casque acts like a water collector: at night, droplets of moisture roll down the casque and into the chameleon's open mouth!
https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/chameleon

Also:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/purpose-of-the-casque.103139/#post-946668

According to another expert:

The function of casques is primarily in the process of interspecific identification of a potential mating partner thanks to the phenomenon called character displacement. Based on differently shaped casques and other cranial protuberances and skin derivates, the females can identify the right sexual partner of own species and refuse any reproduction attempts of a male belonging to another species.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/casque-for-water-storage.171393/#post-1517072

Amazing what one can find in the archives.

 

[nightanole]

Back in the early days i thought the mouth muscles went to the top of the casque. But over the years ive seen tons of males with the casque burned down to the point it looks like a girl, and mouth works fine.

 

[jacksonchamnew]

Cassowary birds have it to run through the jungle.

 

[jacksonchamnew]

Pterodactyls had them too.