Two-banded chameleon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Two-banded chameleon
Furcifer balteatus at Buffalo Zoo
Conservation status
Endangered (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Iguania
Family:	Chamaeleonidae
Genus:	Furcifer
Species:	F. balteatus
Binomial name
Furcifer balteatus Duméril & Bibron, 1851
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The two-banded chameleon, also called the rainforest chameleon, is a type of chameleon. Its scientific name is Furcifer balteatus. This amazing creature lives only in Madagascar, which means it is endemic to that island. Two scientists, André Marie Constant Duméril and Gabriel Bibron, first described it in 1851.

Where It Lives and Its Home

The two-banded chameleon lives only in the southeast part of Madagascar. It can be found in places like Ranomafana. In these areas, the temperature is usually between 14 and 20 degrees Celsius (57 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit). There is also a lot of rain, about 4000 millimeters (157 inches) each year.

This chameleon lives in an area of about 1971 square kilometers (761 square miles). However, it is not found everywhere in this area. Its population is spread out and seems to be shrinking. Most of these chameleons have been seen high up, between 800 and 1050 meters (2,625 and 3,445 feet) above sea level. Some have also been found at lower heights.

This chameleon is quite rare. Most of the time, only one chameleon is seen at a time. Some searches have not found any at all. Because of this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists it as an Endangered species. This means it is at high risk of disappearing forever. The biggest danger to this chameleon is that its forest home is being destroyed.

The two-banded chameleon is also protected by a treaty called CITES. This treaty makes sure that animals and plants are not traded illegally. Since 1994, it has been against the law to take these chameleons out of Madagascar. Even so, people still want them as pets. Illegal trading is a serious threat to their survival.

What It Looks Like

The two-banded chameleon is mostly green. Its color helps it blend in very well with the trees where it lives. It often has darker green stripes that go diagonally across its body. Between these stripes, there are lighter bands. It usually has a special light brown or yellowish streak that also goes diagonally.

This chameleon can grow up to 24 centimeters (9.4 inches) long, not including its tail. Its tail can be just as long as its body, or even longer! Male two-banded chameleons have two horn-like bumps on their heads. These bumps can be about 1.5 centimeters (0.6 inches) long.

Images for kids

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  Furcifer balteatus found in Haute Matsiatra, Madagascar

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  An 1852 illustration of Furcifer balteatus by Auguste Duméril (bottom)