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Chamaeleo dilepis

Chamaeleo dilepis

Leach, 1819
Camaleón Orejero

Family: Chamaeleonidae
Order: Squamata
Class: Reptilia
Phylum / Division: Chordata
Kingdom: Animalia

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Description


The flap-necked chameleon (Chamaeleo dilepis) is a species of arboreal chameleon, a lizard in the family Chamaeleonidae. The species is native to sub-Saharan Africa. There are eight recognized subspecies, including the nominotypical subspecies.

Subspecies: The following subspecies of the flap-necked chameleon are recognized as being valid.
  • Chamaeleo dilepis dilepis – flap-necked chameleon
  • Chamaeleo dilepis idjwiensis – Idjwi Island flap-necked chameleon
  • Chamaeleo dilepis isabellinus – Isabelline flap-necked chameleon
  • Chamaeleo dilepis martensi – Pemba Island flap-necked chameleon
  • Chamaeleo dilepis petersii – Peters´ flap-necked chameleon
  • Chamaeleo dilepis quilensis
  • Chamaeleo dilepis roperi
  • Chamaeleo dilepis ruspolii


Etymology: The subspecific name roperi is in honor of G.D. Trevor-Roper.

The subspecific name ruspolii is in honor of Italian explorer Prince Eugenio Ruspoli.

 Chamaeleo dilepis is a large chameleon, reaching a total length (including tail) of 35 cm. Colouring ranges through various shades of green, yellow, and brown. There is usually a pale stripe on the lower flanks and one to three pale patches higher on the flanks.

Geographic range and habitat: Chamaeleo dilepis has a very wide distribution, occurring throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa from as far north as Ethiopia and Somalia to a western extreme of Cameroon, and as far south as northern South Africa. It inhabits coastal forest, moist or dry savannah, woodland and bushy grasslands, and may also venture into rural and suburban areas.

Ecology: The adult female flap-necked chameleon lays 10-40 eggs in a hole dug in soil. The eggs take 10–12 months to hatch. The diet of C. dilepis includes a variety of invertebrates, although large individuals may take geckos and other chameleons. The species is itself commonly preyed on by snakes such as the boomslang and the twig snake.

Conservation: The flap-necked chameleon is in heavy demand for the international pet trade, being the third most highly traded chameleon species. More than 111,000 individuals were exported between 1977 and 2011, mostly to the USA. No detrimental effects on the total population size have been observed so far, although more in-depth studies have been recommended. The species is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN.

Source: Wikipedia, article Chamaeleo dilepis. Content adapted from Wikipedia, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license. Accessed on 16/07/2026.





Geographic distribution


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Species photographs

Count: 4

Foto
Photography ID: 399858
  Immature

Parque Nacional Kruger
Mpumalanga
South Africa
12/01/2019
Luis Cesar Tejo
Foto
Photography ID: 256000
  Adult

Parque Nacional Kruger
Limpopo
South Africa
02/23/2018
Glauco Oliveira
Foto
Photography ID: 207313
  Adult

Parque Nacional Kruger
Mpumalanga
South Africa
05/26/2017
Diego Carus
Foto
Photography ID: 175616
  Adult

Parque Nacional Kruger
Mpumalanga
South Africa
10/19/2016
Adrian Braidotti


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Species records

Count: 7



Page 1 of 1
Record IDDateExact timeCountryProvince / departmentPlaceFilmedPhotographedRecorded vocalObservedHeardWounded or deadNumber of individualsUser or BibliographyDetail
194598315/10/2023South AfricaMpumalangaSabi Sands Game Reserve2Daniela Espinosa
194596715/10/2023South AfricaMpumalangaSabi Sands Game Reserve2Luis Cesar Tejo
120766301/12/2019South AfricaMpumalangaSabi Sands, Parque Nacional KrugerLuis Cesar Tejo
71763723/02/2018South AfricaLimpopoOlifants camp, Parque Nacional KrugerGlauco Oliveira
58555726/05/2017South AfricaMpumalangaParque Nacional KrugerDiego Carus
50341919/10/2016South AfricaMpumalangaParque Nacional KrugerAdrian Braidotti
92618718/10/2004NamibiaKavangoRundu1Gonzalo Diaz
Page 1 of 1

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Recommended citation
Please use the following reference when citing this species account.
EcoRegistros. 2026. Chamaeleo dilepis – Species account. Accessed from www.ecoregistros.org on 15/09/2026.