Graceful chameleon

{{speciesbox

| name = Graceful chameleon

| image = Graceful chameleon.JPG

| image_caption = Chamaeleo gracilis

| status = LC

| status_system = IUCN3.1

| status_ref = {{cite iucn |author=Tolley, K. |author-link=species:Krystal A. Tolley |author2=Luiselli, L. |author2-link=species:Luca Luiselli |author3=Niagate, B. |author3-link=species:Bourama Niagate |author4=Penner, J. |author4-link=species:Johannes Penner |author5=Trape, J.-F. |author5-link=species:Jean-François Trape |author6=Rödel, M.-O. |author6-link=species:Mark-Oliver Rödel |author7=Segniagbeto, G. |author7-link=species:Gabriel Hoinsoude Segniagbeto |author8=Wagner, P. |author8-link=species:Philipp Wagner |date=2014 |title=Chamaeleo gracilis |volume=2014 |page=e.T172536A1344573 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T172536A1344573.en |access-date=20 November 2021}}

| genus = Chamaeleo

| species = gracilis

| authority = Hallowell, 1844

| synonyms = *Chamaeleo gracilis
{{small|Hallowell, 1844}}

Chamaeleo burchelli
{{small|Hallowell, 1856}}
Chamaeleo granulosus
{{small|Hallowell, 1856}}
Chamaeleo simoni
{{small|Boettger, 1885}}
Chamaeleon gracilis
{{small|— Boulenger, 1885}}
Chamaeleo gracilis
{{small|— Nečas, 1999}}

| synonyms_ref =Boulenger GA (1885). Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume III. ... Chamæleontidæ. London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xii + 575 pp. + Plates I–XL. (Chamæleon gracilis, pp. 448–449 + Plate XXXIX, figure 4)."Chamaeleo gracilis ". The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.

| range_map = Chamaeleo gracilis distribution.png

}}

The graceful chameleon (Chamaeleo gracilis) is a species of chameleon native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is commonly around a foot (30.5 cm) long. Because of its abundance, it is heavily exploited by the pet trade.{{Cite web |url=http://www.arkive.org/graceful-chameleon/chamaeleo-gracilis/ |title=Graceful chameleon videos, photos and facts - Chamaeleo gracilis - ARKive |access-date=2013-07-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619010129/http://www.arkive.org/graceful-chameleon/chamaeleo-gracilis/ |archive-date=2013-06-19 |url-status=dead }}

Geographic range

The graceful chameleon inhabits much of sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal in the west to Angola in the south and Ethiopia in the east. It mostly lives in forests, though it tolerates bushy areas near plantations and savanna.

Description

C. gracilis is often green, yellow, or brown, with a green stripe on its side. Although it is usually a foot (30.5 cm) in total length (including tail), it can grow up to 15 inches (38 cm) in total length.[https://archive.today/20130703020250/http://animal-world.com/encyclo/reptiles/lizards_chameleons/GracefulChameleon.php Graceful Chameleon, Chamaeleo gracilis. Chameleon Facts and Images]

Behavior

The graceful chameleon is diurnal; it hunts for prey during the morning and evening, while it rests in the shade during the hottest part of the day. Males are very territorial, and often threaten each other with colorful displays. It eats insects, and can live up to 10 years in captivity.[http://www.hahareptiles.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=GC587&Category_Code=CHM Ha Ha Reptiles: Graceful Chameleon]

Reproduction

C. gracilis breeds twice per year, once in the dry season and again at the end of the wet season. 20 to 50 eggs are laid per clutch.

Subspecies

Two subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.

Chamaeleo gracilis etiennei {{small|Schmidt, 1919}}
Chamaeleo gracilis gracilis {{small|Hallowell, 1844}}

Etymology

The subspecific name, etiennei, is in honor of Belgian physician and entomologist "Dr. Etienne" who assisted the Congo Expedition of the American Museum of Natural History.Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. {{ISBN|978-1-4214-0135-5}}. (Chamaeleo etiennei, p. 86).