Exploring Pigeon Valley: Dwarf Chameleon

This is the 110th in an ongoing series that highlights the riches of Pigeon Valley, the urban nature reserve in the heart of Glenwood. The focus of this article will be on the KwaZulu-Natal Dwarf Chameleon.

One of the most intriguing but least seen creatures in the reserve is the KwaZulu-Natal Dwarf Chameleon. I have had almost no luck in searching for it, so have to await the rare opportunity to encounter it.

Given its lack of speed, it would be very vulnerable to predators except for its lack of visibility, for the most part being unseen by humans and many predators. This is a little animal; the one in the photo is very young and particularly tiny, but they do not exceed 11cm in length, with a tail almost as long as its body.

Also read: Exploring Pigeon Valley: The Gaudy Commodore

This is one of the many insect-eating residents of Pigeon Valley. Most of the time it is this brownish colour, but it can change its colours, like other chameleons. The limbs are arranged for maximum grip on twigs, even in the windiest of conditions, with three toes on the outside and two on the inside. The eyes can swivel freely, giving maximum coverage of the area.

Also read: Exploring Pigeon Valley: The Common Wild Fig

They are preyed on by snakes and birds; I once could not work out what it was that a Dark-backed Weaver was chewing on, inside a large Buckweed plant, until I realised it was the pink inside of an unfortunate chameleon. The other threats are human – cars on roads that they cross, for example. We used to see chameleons frequently in gardens; however, the use of pesticides kills them, and of course also the insects on which they feed. We can find ways of enhancing their life chances by cutting out the use of poisons.

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