Trioceros hoehnelii

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Trioceros hoehnelii

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Chamaeleonidae
Genus: Trioceros
Species:
T. hoehnelii
Binomial name
Trioceros hoehnelii
(Steindachner, 1891)
Synonyms[2]
  • Chamael[e]on höhnelii
    Steindachner, 1891
  • Chamaeleon bitaeniatus hohneli
    — F. Werner, 1911
  • Chamaeleo (Trioceros) hoehnelii
    — Nečas, 1999
  • Trioceros hoehnelii
    — Tilbury & Tolley, 2009

Trioceros hoehnelii,

Chamaeleonidae. The species is native to eastern Africa
.

Etymology

Both the specific name, hoehnelii, and one of the common names, "von Höhnel's chameleon", are in honor of Austrian explorer Ludwig von Höhnel (1857–1942).[3][4]

Geographic range

T. hoehnelii is found in Kenya and Uganda.[1]

Identification

T. hoehnelii is a small to medium-size chameleon, growing up to 10 inches (25.4 cm) in total length (including tail). Coloration is highly variable across its geographic range. During morning hours, it may be seen basking in the sunlight, almost completely black in color to capture heat energy from the sunlight. This species has a single horn on the rostrum, a serrated back crest, and a spiny throat crest.[5] Males are typically larger than females with a larger casque, horn, and enlarged tail base.[citation needed]

Behavior

Most chameleons in east Africa tend to be territorial and the high-casqued chameleon is no different. If males are placed together, they will hiss at each other, turn black, and compress their bodies to make them look larger. Dominant males display brightly colored patterns that differ from females or subordinate males, which often persist until they are defeated during a courtship battle.[6]

Reproduction

T. hoehnelli bears live young via ovoviviparity.[2] Sexually mature adults form stable pair bonds during the mating season, which endure throughout the five months of pregnancy. After the birth, the pair usually splits up.[7]

Diet

The high-casqued chameleon eats most small insects and spiders, and does so by extending the tongue to capture the prey. It is capable of extending the tongue more than a complete body length.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^
    doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T176315A47633405.en
    . Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b Trioceros hoehnelii at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database
  3. ^ Steindachner F (1891). "Über einege neue und seltene Reptilien- und Amphibien-Arten. Bericht über die von Herrn Linienschiffsleutenant Ritter von Höhnel während der Graf Samuel Telekis ostafrikanischer Expedition gesammelten Reptilien". Sitzungsberichte der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften. Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Classe. Abteilung I (in German). 100 (1): 291–316 + Plates I–III. (Chamael[e]on höhnelii, new species, pp. 309–311 + Plate I, figures 1, 1a)
  4. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5
    . (Chameleo hoehnelii, p. 124).
  5. ISBN 0-7641-2863-9
    .
  6. ISBN 0-226-28124-8
    .
  7. S2CID 7929382
    .


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