Trioceros johnstoni facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Trioceros johnstoni |
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| Genus: |
Trioceros
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| Species: |
johnstoni
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Trioceros johnstoni, known commonly as Johnston's chameleon, Johnston's three-horned chameleon, or the Ruwenzori three-horned chameleon, is a species of chameleon, a lizard in the family Chamaeleonidae. It is endemic to highlands in the Albertine Rift in central Africa. It reaches up to 30 cm (12 in) in total length and only the adult male has three horns; females are hornless.
Taxonomy and etymology
The three long annulated horns in the male T. johnstoni makes it superficially similar to T. jacksonii and T. werneri, and to extent also to the short-horned T. fuelleborni and the smooth-horned T. oweni, but they are not close relatives. Its nearest relative is the hornless T. ituriensis.
The specific name johnstoni was given in honor of the British explorer Harry Johnston.
Distribution and habitat
T. johnstoni is found in forests at altitudes between 1,000 and 2,500 m (3,300–8,200 ft) in the Albertine Rift of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, western Burundi, western Rwanda, and southwestern Uganda, but also tolerates semi-urbanized environments as long as some trees and bushes remain.
Behaviour
Males of T. johnstoni are fiercely territorial and readily will fight other males, using their horns and biting. T. johnstoni is oviparous, with the female laying 4–23 eggs per clutch.
