Namaqua Chameleon

Namaqua Chameleon

Chamaeleo namaquensis

This chameleon species is the largest in Africa. Occurs through the arid western part of southern Africa, particularly in the Namib Desert. It is terrestrial and is usually seen walking along the ground, rarely climbing unlike many other chameleon species. They are preyed upon by hawks & jackals as well as snakes.

Size:
Up to 25 cm in length
Diet:
Primarily tok tokkie beetles and other insects
Speed:
Surprisingly the fastest chameleon in the world, to chase down beetles - perhaps up to 6 km/hr
Habitat:
Coastal dunes & gravel plains
Superpower:
Change skin colour in order to thermoregulate in the desert (black to absorb the heat and lighter colour to reflect the sun)