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Common Flap-neck Chameleon
Afrikaans name: Verkleurmannetjie
Photo © stuporter - Fotolia.com
Chamaeleo dilepis
The Common Flap-neck Chameleon is a large chameleon that can reach a length of 35 cm including the tail.
It is found over the northern and eastern parts of South Africa. It is also quite widely distributed beyond our borders.
The term 'Flap-neck' in its name refers to the flap of skin at the back of its head.
These chameleons are normally found in trees and they can be quite common. Young Common Flap-neck Chameleons may be found in areas of tall grass.
These reptiles feed on insects such as flies, grasshoppers and butterflies.
Females lay up to 60 eggs in a hole dug in sand. This is done towards the end of summer and the eggs take up to a year to hatch.
References and further reading
A Guide to the Reptiles of Southern Africa - Author: Graham Alexander and Johan Marais - Year Published: 2007 - Page: 204Bill Branch's Field Guide to the Snakes and Other Reptiles of Southern Africa - Author: Bill Branch - Year Published: 1988 - Page: 186
Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Year Published: 2004 - Page: 177
go! - Issue 085 - Author: - Year Published: 2013 - Page: 26
go! - Issue 141 - Author: - Year Published: 2018 - Page: 24
Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southern Africa - 2nd edi - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 406
Reptiles of Southern Africa - Author: Rod Patterson and Anothony Bannister - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 47
Suburban Wildlife in KZN - Author: Jason Londt - Year Published: 2009 - Page: 108
The Reptiles of the Kruger National Park - Author: U. de V. Pienaar, WD Haacke and NHG Jacobsen - Year Published: 1983 - Page: 56