Montain
vs Lowland Species
True
Chameleons are split into two groups based loosely on habitat. Generally
speaking the following can be said:
Montain
high altitude
moderate daytime temperature with significant night time drop
slower metabolism
lower calorific intake
slow growth of offspring
prone to nutrient overdose
Examples
are:
Four-horned
or Cameroon Bearded Chameleon - Chamaeleo
(Trioceros) quadricornis
Flapjack or Poroto Mountain 3-horned Chameleon - Chamaeleo
(Trioceros) fuelleborni
High Casqued or Helmeted Chameleon - Chamaeleo (Trioceros)
hoehnelii
Jacksons Chameleon
- Chamaeleo (Trioceros) jacksonii xantolophus
Meru Jackson Chameleon - Chamaeleo (Trioceros) jacksonii
merumontanus
Werner's Chameleon - Chamaeleo (Trioceros) werneri
Fischer's
or Eastern Usambara Chameleon - Chamaeleo fischeri multituberculatum
Lowland
lowland/scrubland
warmer temperatures
faster metabolism
higher calorific intake
fast growth of offspring
offspring more susceptible to calcium deficiency
Examples
are:
Oustalet's
or Malagasy Giant Chameleon - Furcifer
oustaleti
Giant Spiny or Warty Chameleon - Furcifer verrucosus
Panther
Chameleon - Furcifer pardalis
Carpet Chameleon - Furcifer lateralis
Veiled or Yemen Chameleon - Chamaeleo calyptratus
The
in-betweens
Just when
you thought it was getting easy along come the species which fall
in between the two
Examples
are:
Elliots
Chameleon - Chamaeleo (Trioceros) ellioti
Side
Striped or Two-Lined Chameleon - Chamaeleo
(Trioceros) bitaeniatus
These can
sometimes be found offered for sale. They inhabit marginal forrests
and savannas and their care is a combination of the two. They can
be kept like Panther Chameleons but have an intollerance for commercially
prepared supplements like the montain species and also like a reasonable
night time drop.
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