KwaZulu Dwarf Chameleon

Afrikaans name: KwaZulu Dwergverkleurmannetjie

KwaZulu Dwarf Chameleon

Photo © Steven Herbert

Bradypodion melanocephalum

Some references call this little reptile the Black-headed Dwarf Chameleon but locally it seems to go under the name of KwaZulu Dwarf Chameleon (why not KwaZulu-Natal Dwarf Chameleon?).

The KwaZulu-Dwarf Chameleon is mainly found in the Durban area but it can also be found in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands.

It can be found in a wide variety of habitats including clumps of plants ranging from bushes to Wild Date Palms to tall grasses. It can be found in many Durban gardens but falls prey to cats and dogs besides its natural predators.

It's prey consists of flies, grasshoppers and other small insects. As one expects with chameleons it uses its long tongue to catch food.

Interestingly this reptile gives birth to live young. The female can can give birth to up to 20 babies at a time. This normally occurs during spring.

References and further reading

Chameleons of Southern Africa - Author: Krystal Tolley & Marius Burger - Published: 2007 - Page: 64

Suburban Wildlife in KZN - Author: Dr. Jason Londt - Published: 2009 - Page: 108

Bill Branchs Field Guide to the Snakes and Other Reptiles of Southern Africa - Author: Bill Branch - Published: 1988 - Page: 182

A Guide to the Reptiles of Southern Africa - Author: Graham Alexander and Johan Marais - Published: 2007 - Page: 203

Tyrone Ping - Chameleons of Southern Africa

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