Chamaeleo

Chamaeleo
Chamaeleo
Veiled Chameleon, Chamaeleo calyptratus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Lacertilia
Family: Chamaeleonidae
Subfamily: Chamaeleoninae
Genus: Chamaeleo
Linnaeus, 1758
Flap-necked Chameleon (Chamaeleo dilepis)

Chamaeleo is a genus of chameleons found primarily in the mainland of sub-saharan Africa, but a few species are also present in northern Africa, southern Europe and southern Asia east to India and Sri Lanka. They are slow moving with independently movable eyes, the ability to change skin colouration, long tongue, prehensile tail and special leg adaptations for grasping vegetation. Males are generally larger and more colorful than females. Almost all species have a maximum length between 15 and 40 centimetres (5.9 and 16 in).

The vast majority are arboreal and typically found in trees or bushes, but a few species (notably the Namaqua Chameleon) are partially or largely terrestrial. The genus includes only oviparous species. With few exceptions, the chameleons most commonly seen in captivity are all members of Chamaeleo, notably the Common, Senegal and Veiled chameleons, but even they require special care.

Taxonomy

Chamaeleo is the type genus of the family Chamaeleonidae.

All other genera of the subfamily Chamaeleoninae (Bradypodion, Calumma, Furcifer, Kinyongia, Nadzikambia and Trioceros) have at some point been included in the genus Chamaeleo, but are now regarded as separate by virtually all authorities.

  • African Chameleon, Chamaeleo africanus
  • Angola Double-scaled Chameleon, Chamaeleo anchietae
  • Arabian Chameleon, Chamaeleo arabicus
  • Awash Spurless Chameleon, Chamaeleo calcaricarens
  • Veiled Chameleon, Chamaeleo calyptratus
    • Veiled Chameleon, Chamaeleo calyptratus calyptratus
    • Short-casqued Veiled Chameleon, Chamaeleo calyptratus calcarifer
  • Common Chameleon, Chamaeleo chamaeleon
    • European Common Chameleon, Chamaeleo chamaeleon chamaeleon
    • Sinai Peninsula Common Chameleon, Chamaeleo chamaeleon musae
    • Arabian Common Chameleon, Chamaeleo chamaeleon orientalis
    • Middle East Common Chameleon, Chamaeleo chamaeleon rectricrista
  • Flap-necked Chameleon, Chamaeleo dilepis
    • Flap-necked Chameleon, Chamaeleo dilepis dilepis
    • Idjwi Island Flap-necked Chameleon, Chamaeleo dilepis idjwiensis
    • Isabelline Flap-necked Chameleon, Chamaeleo dilepis isabellinus
    • Pemba Island Flap-necked Chameleon, Chamaeleo dilepis martensi
    • Peters' Flap-necked Chameleon, Chamaeleo dilepis petersii
  • Etienne's Slender Chameleon, Chamaeleo etiennei
  • Graceful Chameleon, Chamaeleo gracilis
  • Smooth Chameleon, Chamaeleo laevigatus
  • Socotran Chameleon, Chamaeleo monachus
  • Namaqua Chameleon Chamaeleo namaquensis
  • Necas' Flap-necked Chameleon, Chamaeleo necasi
  • Quilo River Flap-necked (or Bocage's) Chameleon, Chamaeleo quilensis
  • Roper's Flap-necked Chameleon, Chamaeleo roperi
  • Ruspoli's Ogaden Flap-necked Chameleon, Chamaeleo ruspolii
  • Senegal Chameleon, Chamaeleo senegalensis
  • Indian Chameleon, Chamaeleo zeylanicus

References

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