Plated leaf chameleon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Plated leaf chameleon |
|
|---|---|
_Lokobe.jpg) |
|
| in Lokobe Strict Reserve, Nosy Be | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Brookesia
|
| Species: |
stumpffi
|
 |
|
The Brookesia stumpffi, also called the plated leaf chameleon, is a small type of chameleon. You can find it living in certain areas of Madagascar. Specifically, it lives on islands like Nosy Bé, Nosy Komba, and Nosy Sakatia in north-west Madagascar.
Contents
About Its Name
The plated leaf chameleon, Brookesia stumpffi, was first officially described in 1894. A German scientist named Oskar Boettger was the one who gave it its scientific name.
Why It's Called "stumpffi"
The second part of its scientific name, stumpffi, honors a person named Anton Stumpff. He was the one who found the very first chameleon of this kind. This first specimen is called the holotype.
Where It Lives
Scientists Glaw and Vences found Brookesia stumpffi on small islands near Madagascar in 2007. This chameleon lives only in certain parts of Madagascar. You can find it on Nosy Be, Nosy Komba, and Nosy Sakatia. These islands are located in north-western Madagascar.
The plated leaf chameleon is quite common in the rainforests there. It can live at heights up to 150 meters (about 492 feet) above sea level. Its home area covers about 61,884 square kilometers (about 23,894 square miles).
Its Conservation Status
There are no big known dangers to the Brookesia stumpffi. This chameleon seems to be able to live well even in places where its habitat has been changed. Sometimes, people keep this species as a pet.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the plated leaf chameleon as "Least Concern". This means that it is not currently at risk of disappearing.
What It Looks Like
The Brookesia stumpffi is a small chameleon. It can grow up to 9 centimeters (about 3.5 inches) long, including its tail. This chameleon can live for at least three years.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
When it's time to lay eggs, the female Brookesia stumpffi lays between three and five eggs. These eggs usually hatch after 60 to 70 days. For the eggs to hatch successfully, they need to be kept at a temperature of about 23 degrees Celsius (73 degrees Fahrenheit).
What It Eats
The Brookesia stumpffi eats various insects. Its diet includes crickets, fruit flies, and cockroaches. It also enjoys eating wax moths (waxworms) and grasshoppers.
Body Temperature
During the day, the body temperature of the Brookesia stumpffi is usually between 22 and 25 degrees Celsius (72 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit). At night, its body temperature drops to about 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit).
