Kenya leaf chameleon

About the Kenya leaf chameleon

Rieppeleon kerstenii is species of chameleon, a lizard in the family Chamaeleonidae. The species is endemic to East Africa. There are two subspecies. R. kerstenii is found in eastern Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and northeastern Tanzania.

R. kerstenii is found at altitudes from sea level to 1,500 m (4,900 ft), in a variety of habitats: shrubland, savanna, and forest. Common names for R. kerstenii include Kenya leaf chameleon, Kenya pygmy chameleon, Kenya stumptail chameleon, Kersten's pygmy chameleon, and pygmy grass chameleon.

The specific name, kerstenii, is in honour of Otto Kersten (1839–1900), who was a German chemist and traveler. The subspecific name, robecchii, is in honour of Luigi Robecchi Bricchetti (1855–1926), who was an Italian geologist and explorer.

R. kerstenii is crepuscular. R. kerstenii preys upon insects and other arthropods. R. kerstenii is oviparous. Clutch size is as large as ten eggs. The following two subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.

Rieppeleon kerstenii kerstenii (W. Peters... Wikipedia →