Knysna Dwarf Chameleon
Bradypodion damaranum
Silhouette: T. Michael Keesey (from a photograph by Frank Glaw, Jörn Köhler, Ted M. Townsend & Miguel Vences) · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyChamaeleonidae (Chameleons)
- GenusBradypodion (Southern African Dwarf Chameleons)
- SpeciesBradypodion damaranum (Knysna Dwarf Chameleon)
About the Knysna Dwarf Chameleon
The Knysna dwarf chameleon (Bradypodion damaranum) is a species of dwarf chameleon in the Bradypodion ("slow footed") genus that is endemic to South Africa. It is a forest dweller, found only in a limited range in the afromontane forests near Knysna, South Africa, and in certain surrounding areas.
This species has the longest tail of all the Bradypodion species. As with most chameleons, its tongue is twice the length of its body and it can be shot out of its mouth using a special muscle in the jaw. This gives the chameleon the ability to catch insects some distance away. The Knysna dwarf chameleon has a prominent casque and has bright green to bluish skin, decorated with purple, yellow and pink hues. It is up to 180 mm (7.1 in) total length.
In the past, most South African dwarf chameleons were considered to be a subspecies of one Cape Bradypodion species This is now known to be wrong, however; B. damaranum does not appear to have any particularly close living relatives. Like the Cape dwarf chameleon, it seems to be a basal offshoot of the ancestral stock which gave rise to all Bradypodion chameleon species.
The Knysna dwarf chameleon... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Knysna Dwarf Chameleon in Garden Route National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Garden Route National Park
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Garden Route National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 2 | Table Mountain National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Knysna Dwarf Chameleon in Garden Route National Park?
About 30% of wildlife watchers report a Knysna Dwarf Chameleon sighting in Garden Route National Park, based on 179 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Knysna Dwarf Chameleon in Garden Route National Park?
December has the highest sighting rate for Knysna Dwarf Chameleon in Garden Route National Park in our monthly data.