Namaqua chameleon

Introduction: The Namaqua chameleon (Chamaeleo namaquensis) live in sandy regions, including coastal dunes with scrub vegetation. They are mainly terrestrial creatures that survive in some of the hottest, most desolate regions in the country. On the hottest of days, they will climb onto a rock or bush, lay on their backs with the head facing into the sun to keep cool.

Distribution: Western Namibia including the Namib Desert, Skeleton Coast, Swakopmund and Namib Naukluft Park.

Diet: Eats anything such as locusts, lizards, crickets and can swallow snakes such as Peringuey's adder. It's huge appetite includes devouring up to 200 beetles per day.

Colouring: Dull green to pinkish-maroon body with scattered spots.

Breeding: Females lay 2 or 3 clutches of eggs per year with between 6 and 30 soft-shelled eggs laid in burrows at the foot of windward slopes of large dunes, defended by the females.

Size: SVL 120mm to 140mm. Max SVL 160mm.