Jackson's Chameleon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jackson's Chameleon |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Suborder: | |
| Infraorder: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: |
Chamaeleo
|
| Species: |
C. jacksonii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Chamaeleo jacksonii Boulenger, 1896
|
|
Jackson's Chameleons are a fascinating species of chameleon. They are originally from the cool, misty forests of Kenya and Tanzania in Africa. These unique lizards have also been introduced to the United States. You can now find large populations living and breeding naturally in Hawaii.
Contents
What Makes Them Special?
Jackson's Chameleons are easy to spot because of their distinctive features. They are known for their bright colors and the special horns on their heads.
Male Chameleons
Male Jackson's Chameleons are quite easy to recognize. They usually have two horns above their eyes and one horn on their nose. These horns make them look a bit like tiny triceratops dinosaurs! Males can grow up to about 15 inches long, including their tail.
When male chameleons are kept together in a small space, they can become stressed. This is because they are very territorial and prefer to have their own space. However, sometimes they can live together peacefully, depending on their individual personalities.
Female Chameleons
Female Jackson's Chameleons look a bit different from the males. They usually do not have horns, or if they do, the horns are very small. Females are similar in size to males, also reaching up to 15 inches.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Jackson's Chameleons have an interesting way of having babies. Unlike many reptiles that lay eggs, this species gives birth to live young. The mother carries her babies inside her for about 5 to 10 months. After this time, she gives birth to tiny, fully formed chameleon babies.
Images for kids
-
A wild Jackson's chameleon from Hilo, Hawaii
-
A Jackson's chameleon at the Wellington Zoo
See also
In Spanish: Camaleón de Jackson para niños
