Oshaughnessyi chameleon
Oshaughnessyi chameleon (Calumma oshaughnessyi) eastern forests from Zafimaniry to Andohahela National Park. MADAGASCAR.
A large chameleon of the Calumma parsonii group that may reach a length of 35cm. It has large scales present on the body and limbs but small occipital lobes. A dorsal crest is present. This male is in breeding season and shows a colourful head with reddish nasal appendages.
There are more than 150 species world wide and over half of those are only found in Madagascar. All species on the island are Native.
Chameleons are well-known for their special adaptions: The ability to change color rapidly to either match their surroundings or to reflect their mood. They have the capacity to move their turreted eyes independently of each other which allows them to look in different directions simultaneously. They have independent 360 degree vision except when hunting they use binocular vison to estimate the distance of the prey. They capture their prey with the rapid firing of their tongue which can extend to approximately half of their body length and is ended with a kind of gluing hammer. All species found in Madagascar lay eggs (Oviparous) and do not give parental care. The calumma and furcifer group are known as true chameleons as they have a prehensile tails. They tend to be solitary except during the breeding season.
Calumma oshaughnessyi is CITES 11 classification and needs an export permit to be exported from Madagascar
ENDEMIC TO MADAGASCAR
