The Namaqua chameleon (Chamaeleo namaquensis) is a ground-living lizard found in the western desert regions of Namibia, South Africa and southern Angola.[2]
Chamaeleo namaquensis is one of the largest chameleon species in southern Africa, and reaches up to 25 cm in length. Females are larger than males, though the latter are proportionately more robust and have larger heads and head ornamentation, as well as a bulge under the tail base due to the presence of hemipenes.[3] Its tail is far shorter than its body and those of other arboreal chameleons as an adaptation to its primarily terrestrial habitat. It has large dorsal spines and a prominent, pointed casque on the back of its head and lacks the neck flap of other Chamaeleo species.[4] Like many chameleons, this species has nasal salt glands which excretes excess minerals such as sodium chloride and potassium.[3]
It has hygroscopic skin, and shares a feature with some other lizards (such as the thorny devil, Texas horned lizard, Saara hardwickii, and the giant girdled lizard) in that it can drink moisture in contact with its scales through capillary action.[3]
Although capable of changing colour, this chameleon is usually some shade of grey or brown with several lighter patches on the flank, dark patches below the dorsal ridge and yellow or red striping on the throat. This ability aids in thermoregulation, becoming black in the cooler morning to absorb heat more efficiently, then a lighter grey color to reflect light during the heat of the day — or showing both colors at the same time, neatly separated left from right by the spine.[5] Like most desert animals, it is adapted to high environmental temperatures, but can also tolerate periods of low temperatures. Although temperature varies throughout the year, the natural habitat of this species has a yearly average coastal temperature of 19.3 °C in the air, and 26.6-31.8 °C on the substrate surface. Further inland, air temperature averages at 24.1 °C while substrate temperatures average between 30-34.5 °C.[3]
This chameleon species occurs naturally throughout the arid western part of southern Africa, and is particularly common in the Namib Desert. It is recorded as far south as Sutherland, in the Western Cape, South Africa, and as far north as southern Angola. In the furthest eastern edge of its range, in eastern Namibia, it overlaps with the natural range of its relative, the flap-necked chameleon.
Within its natural range, it inhabits arid and semi-arid areas, such as Karoo shrubland, sandy desert and gravel plains, even foraging in intertidal zones. It is terrestrial, and is usually seen walking along the ground, although young are often found climbing.[3][1]
Unlike the arboreal chameleons of the genus Chamaeleo, its tail is not prehensile, but otherwise it still hunts in the same way, slowly stalking its prey and catching it with its long tongue. Unusually for a chameleon, they will also chase down prey attempting to flee and will sometimes seize them with their jaws rather than with their tongue. Namaqua chameleons primarily feed on insects, eating mostly tenebrionid beetles and to a lesser extent oedipodine grasshoppers. They will occasionally feed on lizards (including young chameleons of their own species), snakes, and various other arthropods. In one exceptional case, an individual was seen catching and killing a Peringuey's adder twice its own length. They mostly hunt their prey in sandy dunes and rocky areas,[5] but some coastal populations also forage for marine arthropods in intertidal zones, making it the only chameleon species to do so. Although typically feeding on live prey, in captivity they can sometimes be weaned onto dead food items.[3]
When hunting potentially dangerous prey, individuals quickly learn to disable its weapons first (biting the heads of snakes and lizards, the fangs of spiders, the stingers of scorpions and hymenopterans, etc) before finally dispatching and consuming it.[3]
This species also regularly consumes plant matter in the wild, and is one of several chameleon species recorded doing so. Plant matter may account for up to 29.1% of their diet amongst coastal populations and 20% amongst those inland, although an average of 2.8% for coastal and 1.5% for inland populations are more common. Of plant material, the "fleshy parts" of Zygophyllum stapffi are most commonly eaten. In captivity, plant matter is still consumed, especially succulents, but less frequently than in the wild. This suggests that the species may actually be an omnivorous chameleon, which is further supported by the presence of potassium in the excretions of the nasal glands as is the case with herbivorous lizards.[3]
Inorganic material such as small stones, gravel, and sand are also ingested. They account for as much as 30% of the diet in coastal populations and 1.1% in inland populations, although an average of 6.2% and 0.5% is more common, respectively. It has been suggested that inorganic material may help with digestion or removing parasites. Regarding the former explanation, coastal populations which ingest more plant material also ingest more inorganic material.[3]
This species has a high metabolic rate and is voracious, often feeding until the stomach has been completely filled, and immediately begins feeding again after food has traveled to the small intestine. Individuals in the wild are usually found gorged to the limit; an adult has an average of 12 meals a day, each meal usually consisting of about 19-23 large darkling beetles. This is a reflection of food in the Namib Desert being highly abundant and constantly available; a condition that is difficult to replicate in captivity. As a result, captive individuals do not grow as fast as they do in the wild.[3]
Water is of critical importance to Namaqua chameleons, which drink dew water and fog condensation on surfaces such as vegetation, rocks, and sand. Heavy fog rolling in from the ocean occurs most days of the year through much of their habitat, being present in the mornings and afternoons, but occasionally persisting through the entire day. They also obtain moisture content from food, especially darkling beetles and plant matter. However, they can also drink water through capillary action; small channels in the scales can transport water across the body. In an experiment, dyed water placed on the side of its body visibly moved to its back and towards the head and tail. The chameleon then turned its head and drank the water that collected on its body.[3]
More unusually for a desert reptile, it has an extraordinarily small bladder that is nearly useless for storing water. Furthermore, little storage space for water is available in the gut as it is typically filled with food. It appears that this is because sufficient water is readily available through regular fogs, food, and the cloaca reabsorbing moisture from urine, the latter which is aided by the salt glands removing excess minerals. Additionally, as a reptile, its rate of loss of water is far lower than in mammals and can also obtain relatively more water from the protein degradation of food. However, this species must have a regular source of drinking water other than its food and humidity in order to survive.[3]
Namaqua chameleons are preyed upon by jackals, hawks, and eagles, and possibly monitor lizards.[5][3] Similar to other chameleon species in areas near human habitation, it falls victim to introduced predators such as domestic cats, dogs and foxes. This species runs fast for a chameleon however and will do so to evade potential danger. It will also defend itself by quickly turning black, inflating the body and gular pouch, hissing, and gaping the bright yellow mouth in an attempt to startle the threat to buy enough time to flee. If cornered, it will charge and try to bite the attacker with its powerful jaws, and if successful, violently rips and tears at the flesh without letting go.[3]
Namaqua chameleons become fiercely territorial upon reaching adulthood, and begin to maintain vast territories. Territorial conflicts when territories overlap are common. Such conflicts between same sex individuals are far more common, but male-female conflicts occur as well. Females are larger and more aggressive than males; as a result, territorial disputes between females are somewhat more common than in males. Nevertheless, females hold far smaller territories than males. The average territory size of females is 868 m² amongst inland and 382 m² amongst coastal populations. Males hold territories averaging 1,250 m² amongst inland and 1,718 m² amongst coastal populations. During such conflicts, individuals often severely injure each other. After mating, the individual holding the territory will forcefully evict the other.[3]
Juveniles meanwhile are not seen as a territorial threat by adults and are in this respect ignored. Juveniles do not hold territories and have a shifting home range, and as such will even sleep with other juveniles when given the opportunity.[3]
While territories cannot be held in captivity, they are known to defend resting and nesting areas of about 35cm in diameter in captive settings. However, the defence of immediate nesting sites occurs only in captivity.[3]
Breeding can occur at any point in the year, after which eggs spend a gestation period of 35-45 days inside the mother. Adult females lay around 2-3 clutches of eggs a year, although occasionally may lay up to 4. Each clutch consists of 10-13 eggs, but may be as large as 22 eggs or as little as 6. Eggs are buried under loose gravel and in a layer of moist sand, as dried sand shrivels up the eggs. Sometimes an extension of their resting burrow may be excavated for egg laying. Such behaviour may indicate a level of parental care of eggs due to the close proximity of the eggs to the parent throughout incubation. In the wild, a 20-25 cm deep burrow is excavated, and the eggs are laid in the burrow at a depth of 15 cm to reach the damp layer of sand. In captive settings, eggs may be buried about 10cm under the substrate. Groups of 6-8 eggs are laid in layers, with one layer being buried before laying another directly above. Excavation and laying last 8-10 hours. Unusually in captive settings, other chameleons of either sex may assist in covering the hole after laying. Eggs have a gestation period of 35-45 days inside the mother, and take about 100 days to hatch after being laid. Compared to adults, young prefer and are more skilled at climbing. Females become sexually mature by 150 days, and males by 210 days. Like many chameleons and other lizards, females can store sperm after mating once so that more fertile eggs may be laid months later.[3]
Laying is taxing on females and depletes their fat reserves. Females subsequently eat as much as the stomach capacity allows. In captive settings, females should be allowed to eat as much as they want after laying.[3]
Due to the especially advanced state of embryos and eggs by the time they are laid, it has been suggested that this species is in the process of evolving ovoviviparity.[3]
During courtship, adults adopt a mottled and spotted colouration. Like some iguanids, only recently ovulated females are receptive to mating. Non-receptive females will attack males attempting to mate, and the size disparity often causes serious injury or even death of the male.[3]
Unlike more arboreal chameleon species, Namaqua chameleons often utilize burrows as retreats. Sometimes they will take advantage of abandoned rodent burrows, but will often excavate their own as well.[3]
Namaqua chameleons are listed as CITES II. In 2012, the filming of the Mad Max sequel Fury Road caused damage to Namaqua chameleon habitat in Dorob National Park and Namib-Naukluft National Park.[6]
The Namaqua chameleon (Chamaeleo namaquensis) is a ground-living lizard found in the western desert regions of Namibia, South Africa and southern Angola.
Chamaeleo namaquensis es una especie de reptil de la familia de los camaleones (Chamaeleonidae). Se distribuye por el oeste de Sudáfrica y Namibia, y por el sur de Angola. Habita ecosistemas semidesérticos o desérticos, principalmente zonas arenosas con vegetación arbustiva, aunque también dunas costeras y desiertos rocosos. [1][2]
Es una especie ovípara. Aunque suele ser completamente terrestre, puede subirse a arbustos o rocas en días muy calurosos. La principal amenaza para su conservación es el tráfico de mascotas, aunque para esta especie está regulado por CITES, y no se considera un riesgo serio.[1][2]
Datos: Q2703601
Multimedia:
Especies: Chamaeleo namaquensis
Chamaeleo namaquensis es una especie de reptil de la familia de los camaleones (Chamaeleonidae). Se distribuye por el oeste de Sudáfrica y Namibia, y por el sur de Angola. Habita ecosistemas semidesérticos o desérticos, principalmente zonas arenosas con vegetación arbustiva, aunque también dunas costeras y desiertos rocosos.
Es una especie ovípara. Aunque suele ser completamente terrestre, puede subirse a arbustos o rocas en días muy calurosos. La principal amenaza para su conservación es el tráfico de mascotas, aunque para esta especie está regulado por CITES, y no se considera un riesgo serio.
Chamaeleo namaquensis Chamaeleo generoko animalia da. Narrastien barruko Chamaeleonidae familian sailkatuta dago.
Chamaeleo namaquensis Chamaeleo generoko animalia da. Narrastien barruko Chamaeleonidae familian sailkatuta dago.
Chamaeleo namaquensis (engl. Namaqua Chameleon, saks. Wüstenchamäleon)[2] on maassa elävä kameleonttilaji, jota tavataan Etelä-Afrikassa, Namibiassa ja Angolassa kuivilla hiekka- ja pensaikkoalueilla. Se on tavallisesti harmaa tai ruskea ja kooltaan noin 15 senttimetriä. IUCN on luokitellut sen uhanalaisuudeltaan elinvoimaiseksi lajiksi.
Chamaeleo namaquensis on väritykseltään tavallisesti harmaa ja ruskea. Sen kyljissä on kuusi vaaleaa laikkua, selässä kolmiomaisia tummia laikkuja ja kaulassa punaisia tai keltaisia raitoja. Lajilla on suhteellisen suuri pää ja lyhyt häntä. Häntä ei toimi tarttumavälineenä, toisin kuin puussa elävillä kameleonttilajeilla. Lajin naaraat ovat pituudeltaan noin 16 senttimetriä ja urokset 14 senttimetriä.[3]
Lajia tavataan Karoon alueella Etelä-Afrikassa (Pohjois-Kap ja Länsi-Kap), Namibiassa sekä Namibin aavikolla Etelä-Angolasta aina Etelä-Afrikkaan saakka. Sen levinneisyysalueen laajuus on kaikkiaan noin 600 000 km². Sitä tavataan hiekka- ja pensaikkoalueilla, ja se viettää suurimman osan ajastaan maassa. Kuumina päivinä se saattaa kiivetä pensaiden oksille tai kiville paistattelemaan.[1]
Chamaeleo namaquensis on kehittynyt selviytymään kuumissa olosuhteissa. Se saattaa kaivaa koloja hiekkaan saavuttaakseen pintakerroksen alla olevan viileämmän hiekan. Se käyttää hyödykseen myös muiden eläimien tekemiä koloja. Laji pystyy juoksemaan nopeasti, ja se saalistaa mitä hyvänsä tarpeeksi pientä nieltäväksi. Se pyydystää esimerkiksi heinäsirkkoja, kovakuoriaisia, pieniä käärmeitä ja skorpioneja. Aikuiset yksilöt voivat joskus syödä oman lajinsa pienempiä yksilöitä. Saaliinsa laji ottaa kiinni pitkällä kielellään. Laji parittelee kolmisen kertaa vuodessa ja naaras munii 6–22 munaa kerrallaan. Munien kuoriutumiseen hiekassa menee kolmesta neljään kuukautta, jonka ajan naaraan uskotaan vartioivan munintapaikkaa. Nuoret yksilöt tulevat lisääntymiskykyisiksi 5–7 kuukauden ikäisinä.[3]
Kansainvälisen luonnonsuojeluliiton mukaan Chamaeleo namaquensis on elinvoimainen laji. Sitä tavataan suhteellisen suurella alueella, ja sillä ei ole selviä uhkia. Lajia myydään lemmikiksi, ja osa myyntiin menevistä yksilöistä kerätään luonnosta. Niitä kasvatetaan myös vankeudessa. CITES valvoo lajilla käytävää kauppaa, jota ei kuitenkaan pidetä suurena uhkana lajille. Tulevaisuudessa lajin elinympäristön muuttuminen ilmastonmuutoksen myötä saattaa uhata lajia.[1]
Chamaeleo namaquensis (engl. Namaqua Chameleon, saks. Wüstenchamäleon) on maassa elävä kameleonttilaji, jota tavataan Etelä-Afrikassa, Namibiassa ja Angolassa kuivilla hiekka- ja pensaikkoalueilla. Se on tavallisesti harmaa tai ruskea ja kooltaan noin 15 senttimetriä. IUCN on luokitellut sen uhanalaisuudeltaan elinvoimaiseksi lajiksi.
Chamaeleo namaquensis, le Caméléon du Namaqua[1], est une espèce de sauriens de la famille des Chamaeleonidae[2].
Cette espèce se rencontre en Afrique du Sud, en Namibie et dans le sud de l'Angola[2].
Son nom d'espèce, composé de namaqu[aland] et du suffixe latin -ensis, « qui vit dans, qui habite », lui a été donné en référence au lieu de sa découverte : le Namaqualand.
CITES fr
Chamaeleo namaquensis, le Caméléon du Namaqua, est une espèce de sauriens de la famille des Chamaeleonidae.
Il camaleonte del Namaqualand (Chamaeleo namaquensis Smith, 1831) è un rettile della famiglia Chamaeleonidae, originario dell'Africa.[2]
Questo camaleonte ha una lunghezza di 14–16 cm e una colorazione che varia dal grigio al marrone, con 4-6 macchie più chiare sui fianchi, 4-6 macchie più scure sulla cresta dorsale e delle striature rosse e gialle sulla gola. La coda è corta, non prensile.[3]
Se disturbato assume una colorazione nera e spalanca le fauci in atteggiamento di minaccia.
Questa specie è l'unica del genere Chamaeleo ad essersi adattata alla sopravvivenza negli ambienti desertici.[4]
Per evitare il surriscaldamento cerca riparo in buche scavate nella sabbia o in tane di altre animali. Ha inoltre una caratteristica andatura a gambe iperestese, che gli consente di tenere il corpo distante dalla sabbia bollente (stilting). Possiede infine delle ghiandole nasali che gli consentono la escrezione dei sali senza perdita di acqua.[3]
Si nutre di insetti (locuste, grilli, coleotteri) e piccoli invertebrati che cattura con la lunga lingua.[3]
Raggiunge la maturità sessuale tra i 5 e i 7 mesi. L'accoppiamento può avvenire sino a 3 volte all'anno. Le uova vengono deposte in buche scavate nella sabbia ed hanno una incubazione di 3-4 mesi.[3]
L'areale di questa specie si estende dal deserto del Namib (Angola meridionale e Namibia) sino al Namaqualand, regione semidesertica al confine tra il Sudafrica e la Namibia.[1]
Abita le regioni sabbiose con vegetazione arbustiva, i deserti rocciosi e le dune costiere.
La IUCN Red List classifica Chamaeleo namaquensis come specie a rischio minimo (Least Concern).[1]
La specie è inserita nella Appendice II della Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES).[5]
Il camaleonte del Namaqualand (Chamaeleo namaquensis Smith, 1831) è un rettile della famiglia Chamaeleonidae, originario dell'Africa.
Namaquakameleon er en kameleonart.
Selv om mange kameleoner lever i tørre strøk, er namaquakameleonen den eneste egentlige ørkenarten. Den lever på marka og i lave busker, og eter hovedsakelig biller.
Arten er utbredt i Namibørkenen fra det sørlige Angola gjennom Namibia til Lille Namaqualand i Sør-Afrika (Northern Cape og Western Cape[1]).
Namaquakameleon er en kameleonart.
Selv om mange kameleoner lever i tørre strøk, er namaquakameleonen den eneste egentlige ørkenarten. Den lever på marka og i lave busker, og eter hovedsakelig biller.
Chamaeleo namaquensis[7] este o specie de cameleon din genul Chamaeleo, familia Chamaeleonidae, ordinul Squamata, descrisă de Smith 1831.[8][9] A fost clasificată de IUCN ca specie cu risc scăzut.[1] Conform Catalogue of Life specia Chamaeleo namaquensis nu are subspecii cunoscute.[8]
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Acest articol referitor la o reptilă este un ciot. Puteți ajuta Wikipedia prin completarea sa. Chamaeleo namaquensis este o specie de cameleon din genul Chamaeleo, familia Chamaeleonidae, ordinul Squamata, descrisă de Smith 1831. A fost clasificată de IUCN ca specie cu risc scăzut. Conform Catalogue of Life specia Chamaeleo namaquensis nu are subspecii cunoscute.
Chamaeleo namaquensis là một loài tắc kè hoa sống trên mặt đất được tìm thấy ở sa mạc Namib thuộc Namibia và miền nam Angola.[2]
Đây là một trong những loài tắc kè hoa lớn nhất ở miền nam châu Phi, và đạt chiều dài tới 25 cm. Đuôi của ngắn hơn so với cơ thể của và so với các loài tắc kè hoa sinh sống trên cây khác. Đây là một sự thích nghi với môi trường sống chủ yếu trên mặt đất.
Không giống như các loài tắc kè hoa sống trên cây khác, đuôi của loài này không có khả năng đu bám, nhưng chúng vẫn săn mồi theo cùng một cách như các loài tắc kè hoa khác, chúng rình con mồi một cách chậm rãi và bắt con mồi bằng lưỡi dài của chúng. Chúng ăn côn trùng (đặc biệt là bọ cánh cứng và dế), thằn lằn, bao gồm cả những con non đồng loại, rắn nhỏ, và thậm chí cả bò cạp, săn bắn chúng trong cả các đụn cát và vùng nhiều đá.
Chúng bị săn bắt bởi chó rừng, diều hâu, và đại bàng. Tương tự như loài tắc kè hoa khác, ở các khu vực gần nơi cư trú của con người, nó trở thành nạn nhân động vật ăn thịt được du nhập như mèo nhà và mèo hoang.
Bài viết liên quan đến bộ bò sát có vảy này vẫn còn sơ khai. Bạn có thể giúp Wikipedia bằng cách mở rộng nội dung để bài được hoàn chỉnh hơn. Chamaeleo namaquensis là một loài tắc kè hoa sống trên mặt đất được tìm thấy ở sa mạc Namib thuộc Namibia và miền nam Angola.
納米比亞變色龍 (Chamaeleo namaquensis)亦稱之為纳马夸变色龙。主要分布於安哥拉和納米比亞的納米比沙漠。
纳米比亚变色龙为适应沙漠条件进行了几个方面的进化： 它们从鼻腔腺体排泄盐以保护体内水分，并挖洞以保持体温。它们还通过改变颜色以助于控制温度，凉爽的早晨，它们为黑色，更有效地吸收热量，然后在炎热的白天为亮灰色，来反射光。或在相同的时间显示出两种颜色，脊柱左右截然分开。
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