Kingdom Animalia Family Chamaeleonidae Scientific name Bradypodion transvaalense Higher classification Bradypodion Order Scaled reptiles | Suborder Iguania Genus Bradypodion Phylum Chordata Rank Species | |
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Similar Bradypodion, Chameleons, Natal Midlands dwarf cha, Setaro's dwarf chameleon, Knysna dwarf chameleon | ||
Transvaal dwarf chameleon bradypodion transvaalense eating
The Transvaal dwarf chameleon (Bradypodion transvaalense) is a chameleon native to South Africa, where it is found in forested areas of Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces. It is also known as the Wolkberg dwarf chameleon, after the Wolkberg range.
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Description
They can be distinguished from their relatives in the genus by their bright colouration, with reds and oranges. They are highly territorial and relatively aggressive against each other.
Varieties and relatives
In 2003, an ecological impact study near the village of Roossenekal, conducted by BSc Honours students (University of Pretoria, Centre for Wildlife Management) found a new variety of this dwarf chameleon. DNA research from samples collected by R.P. Zoer at the Transvaal Museum (Pretoria) revealed it was a new variety for the Sekhukhuneland region (Bradypodion transvaalense var. sekhukhunii)
A related species found in Ngome Forest, KwaZulu-Natal, is known as the Ngome dwarf chameleon (B. ngomeense).