Cameroon sailfin chameleon

Cameroon sailfin chameleon
Chameleon grasping branch
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Lacertilia
Family: Chamaeleonidae
Genus: Trioceros
Species: T. montium
Binomial name
Trioceros montium
(Buchholz, 1874)
Map showing distribution of Cameroon sailfin chameleon
Range of Cameroon sailfin chameleon
Synonyms

Chamaeleo montium Buchholz, 1874

The Cameroon sailfin chameleon (also known as the Cameroon two-horned mountain chameleon), Trioceros montium, is a species of chameleon endemic to Cameroon.[2] It has a very unusual appearance.[3]

Distribution and habitat

The Cameroon sailfin chameleon is found only in the Cameroonian highlands around Mount Cameroon.[3][1] Because it is almost entirely restricted to rainforests ranging from 700 to 1900 meters above sea level, it is estimated only a few locations support populations of the species. However, it has also been found in small farms and gardens.[1]

Haeckel Lacertilia, with Cameroon sailfin chameleon in top left corner

Description

It is usually green,[4] but males often turn blue when on display.[3] Distinguishing features on males include two large horns just above the upper jaw which are used for jousting and a prominent dorsal "sail".[3][4] The males can range to ten inches or 30 centimeters[3][4] and the females eight inches.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 LeBreton, M. & Carpenter, A.I. (2013). "Trioceros montium". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
  2. Trioceros montium at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 26 September 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Flannery, Tim. Schouten, Peter. Astonishing Animals. Atlantic Monthly Press, 2002, p. 145.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Christopher V. Anderson, Mike Coraggio, & Leah Kroo (June 2005). "Cameroon Mountain Two-horned Chameleon, Chamaeleo (Trioceros) montium BUCHHOLZ, 1874". Chameleons! Online E-Zine. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
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