Least Concern Reptiles

Flapneck Chameleon

Chamaeleo dilepis

Flapneck Chameleon eats insects in savannas and river valleys.

Scientific name	Chamaeleo dilepis
Swahili name	Kinyonga
Conservation status	Least Concern
Class	Reptilia
Order	Squamata
Family	Chamaeleonidae
Size	Male: body length approximately 35-45 cm, weight about 100-150 g; female: slightly smaller body length about 30-40 cm, slightly lighter weight

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How to identify

Distinct folded neck flap on the neck; highly variable body coloration capable of changing according to environment and mood; prominent horn-like protrusions on the head; eyes can rotate independently with a wide field of view; long, prehensile tail

Habitat

Open woodland savanna, shrublands, valleys, and forest edges

Diet

Primarily insectivorous, feeding on ants, grasshoppers, beetles, etc.; occasionally preys on small invertebrates

When it is active

Diurnal, active during the day and resting at night

Where it lives

Distributed across eastern and southern Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe; commonly found in the Maasai Mara region of Kenya

How to spot it

Search during early morning or late afternoon in shrublands and open woodland savanna; watch for color changes on branches and shrubs; use binoculars or telephoto lenses to avoid disturbing the animal

Photography tips

Use natural light to capture the color change process and the independent rotation of the eyes; use macro lenses for details such as skin texture and neck flap; avoid flash to prevent disturbing the animal

Threats

Habitat destruction and degradation; habitat loss due to agricultural expansion and human activities; locally captured for the pet trade

Similar species

Similar to other species in the genus Chamaeleo, such as Chamaeleo jacksonii (Jackson's chameleon), distinguished by a more prominent neck flap and greater color variation

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