Chamaeleo jacksonii Boulenger, 1896

Jackson's chameleon

Species recognized by P Uetz, TIGR Reptile Database external link in 
IUCN Red List Status: NOT EVALUATED external link Showing: scientific names

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Chamaeleo jacksonii Boulenger, 1896

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Chamaeleo jacksonii Boulenger, 1896
Chamaeleo jacksonii

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Table of Contents

Morphology

Physical Description

Source and Additional Information
Supplier
Animal Diversity Web external link
Copyright
©1995-2008, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors. Some rights reserved external link
Author
Heather Kundinger, Michigan State University
Editor
James Harding, Michigan State University
Location
Source URL
View original data object external link
Citation
Kundinger, H. 2001. "Chamaeleo jacksonii" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed October 25, 2009 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Chamaeleo_jacksonii.html. 

 

Most are approximately 15-35 cm in length. They normally display varying shades of green but can turn as dark as black when in great distress. They are sexually dimorphic. Males have three long, pointed horns protruding from the head. These horns are absent or poorly developed in females. The back of the head displays a small crest. There are small spines along the vertebral line. Like other chameleons, Jackson's chameleon has zygodactylus feet (divided so that two toes point inward and three point outward) which are specialized for tree life, and a prehensile tail which is also used for gripping (Capula, 1989).

 

The most recognizable feature of all chameleons, however, are their eyes. The pupil is the only part visible from its covering of skin. Each eye rotates a full 180 degrees and is independent of the other. Chameleons have unusually strong control over the curvature of their lenses, and may actually magnify an image. (Land 1995)

 
"Chamaeleo jacksonii Boulenger, 1896". Encyclopedia of Life, available from "http://www.eol.org/pages/791815". Accessed 20 Mar 2010.