28.03.2024

Baby chameleons hatch at Chester zoo

The first of a clutch of three eggs laid by mother Ruby hatched on August 24, with two more following soon after.

It’s the first time Chester Zoo’s reptile experts have successfully bred the Cameroon two-horned mountain chameleons (pictured), which are just 5cm (2 inches) long

Three rare chameleons the size of a fingertip have hatched at a British zoo.

It’s the first time Chester Zoo’s reptile experts have successfully bred the Cameroon two-horned mountain chameleons, which are just 5cm (2″) long.

THE CHAMELEONS

As their name suggests, the Cameroon two-horned mountain chameleon is found living in the highlands of Cameroon.

They are thought to live in just 10 locations in the highlands of Cameroon.

They only thrive at a very particular altitude (between 700m and 1,900m/ 2300ft and 6,200ft), in very specific forest habitat.

As much of the highlands of Cameroon comprise of savanna and grasslands, their range is severely restricted.

The males of the species boast two large horns just above their upper jaw which they use to joust with other males.

‘Even as babies they have their iconic large eyes which, at their current size, may appear a little too big for their body’, said keeper Adam Bland.

‘However these give them 360-degree arc vision so they can see in two different directions at once and look out for predators.

‘It’s the first time we’ve ever bred the species here at Chester and the team are thrilled.’

As their name suggests, the Cameroon two-horned mountain chameleon is found living in the highlands of Cameroon.

Zoo curator Dr Gerardo Garcia said: ‘These chameleons are thought to live in just 10 locations in the highlands of Cameroon.

‘They only thrive at a very particular altitude between 700m and 1,900m/ 2300ft and 6,200ft, in very specific forest habitat.

‘As much of the highlands of Cameroon comprise of savanna and grasslands, it really restricts their range.

The chameleons are thought to live in just 10 locations in the highlands of Cameroon as they only thrive at a particular altitude – between 700m and 1,900m/ 2300ft and 6,200ft

‘Sadly, with that already small amount of available habitat being affected by human activity – degradation, agriculture and climate change – it’s making these chameleons more and more vulnerable.’

Dr Garcia added that another big threat to the species’ survival is the international pet trade.

Thousands of live chameleons have been taken from the wild and traded from Cameroon in the last 12 years, he said.

The males of the species boast two large horns just above their upper jaw which they use to joust with other males. Pictured is the father of the newly born reptiles 

The males of the species boast two large horns just above their upper jaw which they use to joust with other males. Pictured is the father of the newly born reptiles

Pictured is one of the three new babies at Chester Zoo

The species only lives in a specific forest habitat, and as much of the highlands of Cameroon comprise of savanna and grasslands, their range is severely restricted. Pictured are two of the three new babies at Chester Zoo

The chameleons’ huge eyes give them 360-degree arc vision so they can see in two different directions at once and look out for predators

The first of a clutch of three eggs laid by mother Ruby (pictured) hatched on August 24, with two more following soon after

The species’ small amount of available habitat is already being reduced by human activity – degradation, agriculture and climate change – making these chameleons more and more vulnerable

Dr Garcia added that another big threat to the species’ survival is the international pet trade. Thousands of live chameleons have been taken from the wild and traded from Cameroon in the last 12 years, he said

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