Chamaeleo namaquensis

[Wuntu Menny]

Does anyone else share an interest in this cham?

I find them totally fascinating. They seem to defy all the rules of chameleon behaviour. At one point, I was determined to track down a group for a breeding project, but after researching the matter further, I find that they are not candidates for captivity.

I was all ready to turn an entire room into a Namibian microhabitat, too. There must be other fans of this bizarre member of the family. Share your thoughts!

WM

[meow_mix450]

lol wow that sound intresting i got no clue how they look like im gonna check it out

[Trace]

Hi WM! :D

I saw this post come up a few days ago and I'll admit that I don't know much about them. Since then I've dug out my Necas book on chameleons (my cham bible) and read the AdCham taxonomy sheet on these guys just to refresh my memory.

They are strange little guys and as you say defy all regular chameleon behaviours. They are fast! My regular chams here can move pretty quickly if they want to, but these Namaqua chams can RUN! 5km/h, that's just crazy for a chameleon. I particularly like the way they are able to capture and eat venomous prey as well. Considering the harsh living conditions in the wild, they have to make due with what's around.

Interesting animals that's for sure, and would be neat to work with them, but I don't think I've got the space and knowledge to keep them properly. Some day maybe...

Thanks for this thread, you made me do some reading and learning new things is always good.

Trace

[Wuntu Menny]

They actually stake out a territory consisting of desert acreage and patrol their perimeter by day. They dig in to the sand at night like a horned lizard, and the nesting ritual is amazingly detailed.

The phrase "fight or flight" takes on a literal meaning as they either attack viciously or RUN for cover. I've read some field reports saying that the chams were able to outmaneuver their human pursuers.

Unfortunately, all attempts to keep them in captivity have failed. There have been several papers published detailing observations of captive specimens. All of them died of unknown causes within a few months.

I have to wonder if this particular cham has maybe adapted to a diet similar to that of the horned lizard. If they have learned to incorporate ants as a staple, perhaps they have also developed the physiological dependency as the Phrynosoma have.

WM

[enso]

Worlds fastest cham. Beauties. More should CB these.

[Brock]

I have an awesome pic of one of these:

(hope this works)

http://www.nigeldennis.com/images/chameleon2_l.jpg

Not a very attractive chameleon in my opinion, but pretty cool.

-Brock

[wyz]

In deed, pretty cool !!!

WYZ

click here some other pics..

http://www.adcham.com/html/taxonomy/species/cnamaquensis.html

[Wuntu Menny]

That is the best Namaqua portrait I've ever seen! Pretty much 1000 words in that shot. Where did you find it?

WM

[Brock]

I can't remember where I found it, just saved it when I was on one of my chameleon info searching nights.

Sorry if I'm breaking any copyright laws hehe :D

-Brock