Parson´s chameleon

DESCRIPTION

One of the largest chameleons in the world. They are usually a greenish colour with yellowish spots but may vary from yellow to intense green. They have a large, flat ridge which takes up practically their whole head. Males also have a small rostral horn. Their retractable tongues can reach a length of 1.5 times that of the animal’s body.

ETHOLOGY

They are diurnal, solitary and tree-based. They spend most of the time still on a branch waiting for insects to hunt. When they see prey nearby, they shoot out their retractable tongues, bringing the prey straight back into their mouths. Chameleons reproduce with eggs, which are not incubated, but buried and left behind. Females have a pregnancy (gestation) period of 7 months. The incubation of eggs takes one and a half to two years depending on environmental conditions. 

CURIOSITIES

Along with the Meller’s chameleon, it is the largest species of chameleon on the planet. Reproduction in captivity is very complicated, and it is a very difficult animal to find in zoos.