Oustalet’s chameleon

Oustalet’s chameleon

Furcifer oustaleti

Common name:

Oustalet’s chameleon

Scientific name:

Furcifer oustaleti

Alternative common names:


Description:

Oustalet’s chameleon is a very large species of chameleon that is endemic to Madagascar. It is most often encountered in degraded habitats, agricultural land and human settlements, but also occurs in undisturbed dry forests, montane savannah and, rarely, in tropical rainforests.

Additional Information


Where does this species come from?

Madagascar.

What is its invasive status in South Africa?

NEMBA Category 2.

Where in South Africa is it a problem?

Western Cape and Eastern Cape.

How does it spread?

It is spread via pet trade.

Why is it a problem?

It feeds on other small insects such as dragonflies.

What does it look like?

Description: A large-bodied lizard with a long tail. Males reach 68.5cm long and females 40cm long. It has large, conical eyes with fused eyelids. There are ridges from the tip of the snout to both eyes, and a smaller ridge from the eye to the back of the neck. There is a large plate on top of the head that curves to a point towards the back of the skull. There is also a ridge of triangular spines along the top of the back from the neck to the tail. Colouration is variable and ranges from brown to green and blue.

Habitat: It can survive in degraded habitats, agricultural land and human settlements, but also occurs in undisturbed dry forests, savannah and, rarely, in tropical rainforests.

Breeding: It lays 60+ large eggs and 1-2 clutches in a lifetime. The incubation period is 40 days.

Leave a Reply