Reptiles of the World: Three-horned Chameleon

Return to Reptiles of the World

Chameleo jacksoni

rw-074-Three-hornedChameleon2Certain East African chameleons have horns on their snout reminding one of the much larger fossil reptiles known as ceratopsians. Some species have horns in both sexes; in others, horns are restricted to males. It was once argued that such horns, flaps, and ridges lacked a function, but we now know that they serve as species-recognition signals during courtship displays. Only 4 inches long, the males of this East African chameleon use their horns in fighting: they meet on a narrow branch and lock horns until the stronger dislodges his opponent.

rw-074-Three-hornedChameleon1