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Von Höhnel's chameleon
- Trioceros hoehnelii

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The Von Höhnel's chameleon (Trioceros hoehnelii) is a high-altitude species that ascends to more than 3.000 m on Mount Elgon.
Von Höhnel's chameleon
Von Höhnel's chameleon – Wikipedia

Content

Origin / Distribution

The Von Höhnel's chameleon (Trioceros hoehnelii) found mainly in Kenya, but is represented by a wide range of local variations. The form found on Mount Elgon, in Uganda, it is called Trioceros hoehnelii “altaeelgonis“. Whether there are subspecies within this species is disputed.. But, regardless of official status, the breeder and caretaker community has adopted the term “altaeelgonis” for varieties from Uganda.

Characteristics / Appearance

The Von Höhnel's chameleon has a very pronounced helmet, which is much more marked in males than in females. Also noteworthy is a small nasal process, which is also higher in males. There are a large number of local and location variations. Especially the helmet and the nasal process are quite different. The species has a coarsely spiny dorsal crest that extends the entire length of the body and tapers towards the end of the tail.. The throat and ventral crest are formed by large spiny scales.. Both sides of the body usually have 2 greatly enlarged plate-like scale rows. Scale and body coloration are highly variable, consisting mainly of shades of brown and green with partially light transverse bands.. There are reddish or brown animals, as well as a well-known color form with a yellow head and green body.

Male hemipenis pouches are clearly developed by the time they reach sexual maturity. Females show a much more homogeneous scaling, secondary sexual characteristics are less pronounced in them. Males grow to a maximum length of 25 centimeters, females reach a maximum length of 20 centimeters. The life expectancy is of 2 to 4 years.

Habitat

The Von Höhnel's chameleon is a high-altitude species that ascends to more than 3.000 m on Mount Elgon. They have developed the ability to regulate their body temperature through sunlight to take into account low ambient temperatures.

Behavior

The Von Höhnel's chameleon shows very interesting defensive behavior in the wild. The greatest danger for this species of chameleon is the snakes that live in the trees, as the green mamba. If the chameleon sees a snake, immediately turns deep black, he rolls up his body and drops to the ground, where the snake does not usually follow. Next, the animal remains motionless on the ground until the danger has passed.

Threats to the species

State of conservation ⓘ


Status Minor Concern ⓘ (UICN)ⓘ

This species has a wide distribution and seems to have the ability to adapt to a degradation of its natural habitat., since it also occurs in agricultural and semi-urban areas. It has therefore been classified as a "species of least concern" by the UICN.How is it being captured for the wildlife trade?,The species has been included in Appendix II of CITES to limit its effects.

The "Von Höhnel's chameleon" in captivity

“The Ugandan variation of Trioceros hoehnelii rarely seen, since Africa's exports come from Kenya, having different varieties of color. There are several populations at different heights, each with a different color scheme.

Care is very similar to Montane side-striped chameleon (Trioceros ellioti). Thrives in a well planted terrarium. They have been kept in groups from one male to multiple females, but the females can have two litters a year and, therefore, are almost always at some stage of pregnancy and must be separated. So, despite reports that they are not aggressive, the saying is still valid: One chameleon per cage and not to worry.

They seem to be enjoying their morning sunbath. Taking into account the drastic drop in nighttime temperature in your home environment, they are experts in absorbing all the sun's rays they can. And the decrease in night temperature is important for health. Special care must be taken with the young and the heat.

Hydration is through a standard chameleon protocol of around three hours of night misting in the early morning with 15 minutes of fogging in the morning and 15 minutes in the afternoon.

Breeding is not difficult. The gestation is 4 to 6 months. Young females can produce 6 offspring while a mature female can produce 20. They can have two litters of pups a year and become receptive again 40-50 days after delivery. The young are sexually mature after one year..

The terrarium

the bigger, best!. Minimum (45 x 45 x 90 cm.).
Full or hybrid mesh (combination of mesh and glass or panel).
UVB source (inside or outside).
natural light source (inside or outside).
Heat source (exterior).
Nebulizer at night.
Manual fogging in the morning and at night.
full mesh.
Small fans when using a hybrid cage and/or the air is stagnant.
live plants (not fake)
natural branches (no fake vines, no strings, or bleached wood).
No substrate or bioactives

Food

In captivity, animals eat crickets, domestic crickets, all kinds of flying insects and small cockroaches. It also, get vitamins and minerals (pollinating insects). Animals can cover their water needs by lapping up the sprayed water.

Reproduction

The Helmeted Chameleon is viviparous in the egg., and there is also fertilization by storage; can get pregnant again right away. In courtship, the male approaches the female, nodding and flattening to one side. When the female is ready to mate, he remains seated and mating occurs, this process can be repeated for several days. Gravid females repel males willing to mate.. If the stress is too great for a pregnant female, must be separated. During pregnancy, females have a greater need to drink and feed. After a gestation period of 150 to 180 days, females give birth between 4 and 22 pups. Before this, the female becomes restless and egg laying takes place in the early morning hours, preferably on thick bark or rough branches. The young are released from the egg case and are immediately independent.. Sexual maturity is reached around 8 months. But, should not be mated before one year.

For sale "Von Höhnel's chameleon"

The price of a "Von Höhnel's chameleon" at the exotic animal market, ranges between 50 – 150 EUR.

Videos "Von Höhnel's chameleon"

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Alternative names:

1. Von Höhnel's chameleon, Helmeted chameleon, High-casqued chameleon, Kenyan high-casqued chameleon (English).
2. Caméléon à casque élevé (French).
3. Helmchamäleon (German).
4. Chamaeleo hoehnelii (Portuguese).
5. "Camaleón de casco" (español).

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