If you are into fancy things, then the jeweled chameleon is for you! It is a type of lizard and a very colorful one at that.
But do not mistake their colorful bodies for a friendly nature. This mean, that green chameleons will not hesitate to bite, and this is one that will hurt. In addition to this, they also do not dwell in groups but are mostly seen by themselves.
So, if you ever run into one such specimen, say your hellos, but only from a distance! If they are scared, they might change their colors, too.
Like most chameleons, this one too can change the color it has on display thanks to various factors at play - such as its environment, its habitat, the threat it faces, and in general, the mood this creature is in.
As such, while they may not be the masters of camouflage just yet, they will clearly communicate whatever it is that they need to say!
If you want to know more about them, read on, and also check out some other species like the veiled chameleon and giant skink.
Jeweled Chameleon Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a jeweled chameleon?
The jeweled chameleon (Furcifer campani) is a type of lizard.
What class of animal does a jeweled chameleon belong to?
The Furcifer campani belongs to a class of reptiles.
How many jeweled chameleons are there in the world?
Due to a lack of research, the estimated population of this species is unknown.
Where does a jeweled chameleon live?
The Furcifer campani is a species of Madagascar that lives in the savana region.
What is a jeweled chameleon's habitat?
The Furcifer campani is found only in Madagascar's central highlands region, at elevations of 6069.6-7545.9 ft (1,850-2,300 m). The jeweled chameleon habitat range is from the extinct volcano Ankaratra to the Andringitra National Park, although only a small portion of this habitat is appropriate for the chameleon, and its population is scattered throughout.
It is a terrestrial species that prefers highland grass and heathland with bushes and solitary trees as its habitat.
Who do jeweled chameleons live with?
The Furcifer campani is a strict arboreal species. The jeweled chameleon (Furcifer campani), is not a social animal and does not dwell in groups. It prefers to sit in the shrubs and trees by itself. The campani chameleon species of Madagascar do form groups for mating, but they are otherwise considered solitary creatures.
How long does a jeweled chameleon live?
On average, the Furcifer campani chameleon species, in captivity, can survive for three to eight years in a happy and healthy state. The jeweled chameleon lifespan in the wild is thought to be around four to five years on average, or maybe longer if conditions are good.
However, there is still a paucity of up-to-date studies on the longevity of such magnificent creatures in the wild.
How do they reproduce?
In the Furcifer campani chameleon species of Madagascar, reproduction occurs two to three times a year. In secret locales, clusters of 8-12 eggs are placed.
The incubation of eggs takes around nine months in the lab, to develop juveniles that are around 0.9 in (2.3 cm) in length. The youngsters mature sexually at three months and grow quickly. According to some sources, this chameleon hibernates mostly during the winter season, concealing itself in leaves.
What is their conservation status?
The conservation status of jeweled chameleon (Furcifer campani) is Vulnerable, as classified by IUCN Red List.
Jeweled Chameleon Fun Facts
What do jeweled chameleons look like?
The color of the backdrop changes from a light pale green shade to dark green to light brown. Three pale brown lateral stripes run through every side of the body, with a smattering of little bright-colored spots in between.
Small red spots are frequently used to embellish the head. A crest of little protruding granules runs along the back of this chameleon. The tongue of this reptile is lengthy and sticky, and it is utilized to grab food.
The chameleon's four feet have five toes. These feet and toes assist them in climbing trees and sitting in the topmost branches.
How cute are they?
This animal from Madagascar is definitely one of the cuter ones! Not only do they have bright colors and a jeweled look that makes them stand out in a crowd, but they are also adorably tiny, and you can even pick them up in your hands. Cuteness for the win!
How do they communicate?
These chameleons communicate with each other by changing their position. A chameleon defending its territory from an invader, for example, is likely to turn sideways. This helps the lizard appear larger and more dangerous. When a chameleon gets scared, it may open its jaws to try and scare off another.
How big is a jeweled chameleon?
The jeweled chameleon size measures up to 5.5 in (14 cm) including its tail. The length of Texas horned lizards gets up to 2.7-4.5 in (6.9-11.4 cm). The jeweled chameleon is larger than the Texas horned lizards in the terms of length.
How fast can a jeweled chameleon move?
This chameleon species can move at speed of up to 21 mph (33.8 kph).
How much does a jeweled chameleon weigh?
The weight range of the Furcifer campani is around 0.3 oz (7.6 g). The veiled chameleon is not a huge-bodied lizard as it weighs about 3-6 oz (85-170.1 g). The sand lizard can reach about 0.4-0.5 oz ( 9.9-14.1 g) in weight.
What are the male and female names of the species?
The male and female species of this chameleon have no distinguished names.
What would you call a baby jeweled chameleon?
There is not any special name for baby jeweled chameleon.
What do they eat?
These chameleons are ambush predators that hold stationary while waiting for suitable prey to approach. The majority of their diet comprises insects, which they collect using their lengthy tongue with sticky tips.
Are they poisonous?
Chameleons are non-toxic and do not spread poison. There are no illnesses to be concerned about, especially if the chameleon was grown in captivity. Usually, a chameleon bite does not cause any bleeding. The main reason for concern is a bacterial infection caused by the bite.
Would they make a good pet?
Jeweled chameleon animals are not the simplest reptiles or pets to care for. A chameleon also necessitates a higher level of devotion to maintenance and care than other reptiles.
This chameleon lizard is extremely difficult to care for, and untrained reptile keepers should avoid them. Having said that, they aren't the most challenging exotic pet to look after. Chameleons aren't known for cuddling, so if it's a cuddly pet you want, this is not the choice for you.
Did you know...
They're more intelligent than some people believe. They don't have ears that can sense anything except a low vibration, so yelling at them is pointless. They may, however, learn to recognize people fast and remember who has been kind and who has been cruel to them.
The eyes of the chameleon can spin and concentrate independently on 180-degree arcs, allowing them to see two separate objects at once. They have a full 360-degree range of view as a result of this.
Chameleons have excellent eyesight and can see little insects from a distance of 16.4-32.8 ft (5-10 m). They can see in ultraviolet or visible light as well.
When a chameleon alters its skin color, it isn't usually seeking to fit in with its surroundings. More often than not, this extraordinary capacity is used to regulate its body temperature.
A chameleon may cool themself down by whitening their skin, as lighter hues reflect the sun's rays effectively. Acquiring a dark complexion, on the other hand, is an excellent strategy to heat up before chameleon gets cold outside.
Do jeweled chameleons bite?
If provoked, these chameleons can bite. If they are scared or believe they are in threat, they will bite. Forced or unwelcome contact, even if you are the chameleon's owner, may agitate your pet and cause this to bite you.
Why are they called jeweled chameleons?
Due to their stunning color patterns, the Furcifer campani is also known as the 'jeweled chameleon.' Relaxed chameleons have yellow-green with brilliant blue stripes, bright yellow and blue spots, and a vibrant red patch above the eyes. Stressed chameleons turn dark with brilliant dots on the body.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other reptiles from our rattlesnake facts and green basilisk facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Jeweled chameleon coloring pages.