Spiny-flanked chameleon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spiny-flanked chameleon |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Chamaeleonidae |
| Genus: | Trioceros |
| Species: |
T. laterispinis
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| Binomial name | |
| Trioceros laterispinis (Loveridge, 1932)
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| Synonyms | |
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Chamaeleon laterispinis Loveridge, 1932 |
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The spiny-flanked chameleon (Trioceros laterispinis) is a cool lizard also called the spiny-sided chameleon. It's a type of chameleon that lives only in Tanzania, a country in Africa. A scientist named Arthur Loveridge first officially described it in 1932.
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Where the Spiny-Flanked Chameleon Lives
This special chameleon lives only in one place: the Udzungwa Mountains. These mountains are part of the Eastern Arc Mountains in Tanzania, East Africa. The first place scientists found this chameleon was in a spot called Kigogo in the Udzungwa Mountains. Another area where they live is Kibau Iyaya.
Today, you can mostly find them near Mufindi and Kigogo. Their home area is quite large, covering about 11,529 square kilometers (4,451 square miles).
Chameleon Homes and Threats
Spiny-flanked chameleons love to live in forests and thick woodlands. They seem to prefer smaller bushes and trees rather than very tall ones. Sadly, many of these forests are broken up into small pieces. Their homes are being destroyed quickly, mostly to make space for farms.
People also collect these chameleons to sell as pets around the world. We don't know exactly how many of these chameleons are left. Because their habitat is disappearing, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed this species as Endangered. This means they are at a high risk of disappearing forever. They are also protected by the CITES treaty, which helps control trade in endangered animals.
Reproduction
Unlike some other reptiles that lay eggs, the spiny-flanked chameleon gives birth to live young.
How the Spiny-Flanked Chameleon Got Its Name
The spiny-flanked chameleon has had a few different scientific names over the years!
- In 1932, the British scientist Arthur Loveridge first described it as Chamaeleon laterispinis.
- Later, in 1966, other scientists named Daan and Hillenius also used the same name.
- In 1982, Böhme called it Chamaeleo laterispinis brookesiaeformis.
- Then, in 1999, Necas named it Chamaeleo laterispinis.
- Finally, in 2009, Tilbury and Tolley gave it the name we use today: Trioceros laterispinis.
It's also commonly known by its easy-to-remember name, the spiny-flanked chameleon.
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