Giants of the Usambaras

Giant three-horn chameleons (Chamaeleo [T.] deremensis) are one of Africa's largest and most spectacular species of chameleons. Inhabiting East Africa's Usambara mountains, where the high altitude provides cool temperatures, lush vegetation, and an almost constant humidity, the giant three-horn chameleon, as many other species in similarly delicate environments, is threatened by habitat destruction, pollution and climate change, and over-collection for the trade.

As one of the most evolutionarily-advanced chameleons in the world, the giant three-horn is a master of survival. The reproductive behavior of these magnificent creatures is not completely known, but females of this species may deposit their eggs in earth cavities previously dug by other animals, making the replication of such conditions difficult in captivity.

The hatching sequence in this video shows, in two minutes, the birth of 24 neonates-- a process that lasted, from the first animal to slit the egg to the last one's emergence, more than 24 hours. Unlike other species of chameleons, whose incubation may last from 6-23 months, depending on the species, this particular group of eggs underwent artificial incubation for a total of 116 days.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• deremensis
• chameleon
• reptile
• lizard
• hatching
• egg
• Tanzania
• Usambara
• three-horn
• incubation
• conservation
• Africa