Hooded chameleon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hooded chameleon |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Calumma
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| Species: |
cucullatum
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The hooded chameleon (Calumma cucullatum) is a special kind of chameleon that lives only in north-east Madagascar. It's called a Vulnerable species, which means its numbers are getting low, and it needs our help to survive. Scientists first found and described this chameleon in Madagascar. You can find these chameleons in humid forests, usually between 400 and 720 m (1,310 and 2,360 ft) above sea level. Their home covers an area of about 17,432 km2 (6,731 sq mi).
Where Hooded Chameleons Live
The hooded chameleon makes its home in the humid forests of north-eastern Madagascar. This is the only place in the world where they naturally live! Scientists first discovered and studied this chameleon in Madagascar.
These chameleons have been seen in places like Marojejy National Park in the north and Marolambo in the south. They prefer to live at lower elevations, from about 400 to 720 m (1,310 to 2,360 ft) above sea level. They have also been found in areas such as Tsararano, Anandrivola, and Masoala. Their total habitat covers a large area of about 17,432 km2 (6,731 sq mi).
Why Hooded Chameleons Need Help
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the hooded chameleon as a Vulnerable species. This means they are at high risk of becoming endangered if we don't protect them.
One of the biggest threats to these chameleons is something called slash-and-burn agriculture. This is a farming method where people cut down and burn forests to clear land for crops. While it helps people grow food, it destroys the chameleon's home and makes it harder for them to find food and shelter. Protecting their forest homes is very important for the hooded chameleon's future.
How Scientists Name Animals
Scientists give every animal a special name so everyone around the world knows exactly which animal they are talking about. The hooded chameleon was first described by a scientist named Gray in 1831. He called it Chamaeleon cucullatus. Over the years, as scientists learned more, they sometimes changed the name slightly. Today, its official scientific name is Calumma cucullatum.
