Fischer's chameleon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fischer's chameleon |
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| Drawing of Fischer's chameleons (male above and female in the middle) and a different type of chameleon (bottom). | |
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Kinyongia
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| Species: |
fischeri
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The Fischer's chameleon (Kinyongia fischeri) is a unique type of chameleon. It is a lizard that belongs to the Chamaeleonidae family. People sometimes call it the Nguru blade-horned chameleon or the Nguru two-horned chameleon. This special animal lives only in Tanzania, a country in Africa.
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What's in a Name?
The scientific name for this chameleon is fischeri. This name was given to honor a German expert on reptiles and amphibians, Johann Gustav Fischer. He was a herpetologist.
Where Do They Live?
Fischer's chameleons are found only in the Nguru and Nguu Mountains of Tanzania. These mountains are part of the Eastern Arc Mountains. Chameleons that look similar but live in other parts of Tanzania or Kenya are actually different species. Scientists have given them their own names.
Their Home Environment
Fischer's chameleons love to live in forest areas. They can be found at high places, up to about 1,500 meters (or 4,900 feet) above sea level. They prefer these natural forest habitats.
Chameleon Family Tree
For a long time, many different types of chameleons were thought to be Fischer's chameleons. These included species like K. boehmei, K. matschiei, K. multituberculata, K. tavetana, K. uluguruensis, and K. vosseleri.
However, scientists later discovered they were all separate species. In 1991, it was suggested that K. tavetana should be its own species. Then, in 2008, studies showed that all the others were also distinct species. This means the true Fischer's chameleon lives in a much smaller area than people first thought. It does not share its home with these other similar species.
Life Cycle
Fischer's chameleons are oviparous. This means that the female chameleon lays eggs. The baby chameleons then hatch from these eggs.
Keeping Them as Pets?
In the past, many chameleons were sold as "Fischer's chameleons" for pets. But most of these were actually other similar species. They were often K. multituberculata, K. matschiei, or K. vosseleri. As of 2013, only three true Fischer's chameleons were ever confirmed to have been sold in the pet trade. This shows how rare the real K. fischeri is outside of its natural home.
