the king of camouflage

it's only about 10cm in length but the gecko can grow as long as 30cm

horny little fella

Angeluc, our guide in Amber Mountain, once worked as research assistant of a university biologist. He was more than knowledgeable in spouting out the names of the strange plants and animals in the forest reserve. I remember he immediately spotted the chameleon hanging by its tail on a twig. I was impressed as it is not called the king of camouflage for nothing. This was not it.

On our way out of the forest, in a speeding car, Angeluc suddenly asked the driver to stop and backtrack. He saw something on the track. It was this chameleon that was only 10cm long.

the Amber Mountain Park, Diego Suarez (Antsiranana), Madagascar, East Africa

more pics and journeys in colloidfarl.blogspot.com

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Comments

kabukiph says:

Great capture!

A very informative description.

Do you work for NG? ;D
Posted 47 months ago. ( permalink )

adlaw says:

funny story! made me smile...
Posted 47 months ago. ( permalink )

Jack Hess says:

Isug nga tabili :-)
Posted 47 months ago. ( permalink )

reservoir frog says:

Gorgeous shot Farl... I'd give anything to see one of these in the wild

oh... and not to be anal, but this is a dwarf chameleon from the genus Brookesia... and one of my favourite reptiles from anywhere in the world.

Once upon a time I heard that the Malagasy people believe they're re-incarnated souls of their elders, and treat the little animals with an extreme amount of respect.
Posted 47 months ago. ( permalink )

Farl says:

thanks all.

Erwin- that's too much!

Ian- hey, thanks for the correction! I must have gotten mixed up. I will change the description and tags. you're cool to know the stuff you know.
Posted 47 months ago. ( permalink )

Vít Hassan says:

Another very intersting photo and as bonus as anytime,nice story.
Posted 47 months ago. ( permalink )

bluefam says:

impressive.
Posted 47 months ago. ( permalink )

sweetsexything says:

reptile rocks!..
a dose of prose in every picture is very didactic.
mmm, im learning so much from u farl. i always look forward to checking your masterpieces.
Posted 47 months ago. ( permalink )

Farl says:

you all flatter me- thanks.
Posted 47 months ago. ( permalink )

David M* says:

I love how they stop and are totally still and they feel like we cannot see them. That makes me laugh. Obviously it is different for Animals.
Posted 47 months ago. ( permalink )

Farl says:

David, that is a sharp observation. The instinct to flee or freeze is innate per species. Man of course, has a different mindset so we make a choice on what is expedient to the moment.
Posted 47 months ago. ( permalink )

k neva knows says:

i'm glad this thing doesn't come in elephant size...nice shot
Posted 47 months ago. ( permalink )

locamotion says:

Farl, my husband would have loved to have seen this chameleon. I'm afraid we'll never make it to Madagascar! Here's an example of one of his:
flickr.com/photos/39515148@N00/103452635/
Posted 47 months ago. ( permalink )

shimmertje says:

10cm? He has Superman's eyes..
Posted 47 months ago. ( permalink )

spilopterus says:

He has very sharp eyes to spot something like this.
Posted 47 months ago. ( permalink )

Farl says:

salamat to you all!

locamotion- that is one exquisite chameleon piece you and your husband made.
Posted 47 months ago. ( permalink )

locamotion says:

Thank you for the compliment, Farl.And thanks for sharing photos of your travels. I would like to learn more about Madagascar, since I've read that it is damaged, ecologically.Did you see evidence of that?
Posted 47 months ago. ( permalink )

Farl says:

locamotion- like any 3rd world country, Madagascar's denudation rate is too fast. to their credit, it has lots of reservation parks but the areas outside of these areas are sadly being exploited.
Posted 47 months ago. ( permalink )

Semmi says:

Made me smile too.
re: glamorous - "when the working day is done, girls wanna have fun".
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Monika N. says:

Interesting story, Farl!
I first thought the chameleon was dead and lying on its back... Glad I was wrong.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Farl says:

Irene- you bet!

Monika- I was glad too. the guide did put the chameleon back to the shrubs to make sure it will not be roadkill.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Ian Campsall says:

I think you finally met someone with sharper eyes than you Farl!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

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Taken in Antseranana, Antsiranana (map)
Taken with a Canon EOS 350D Digital.
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Taken on November 15, 2005
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the king of camouflage

Comments

kabukiph says:

adlaw says:

Jack Hess says:

reservoir frog says:

Farl says:

Vít Hassan says:

bluefam says:

sweetsexything says:

Farl says:

David M* says:

Farl says:

k neva knows says:

locamotion says:

shimmertje says:

spilopterus says:

Farl says:

locamotion says:

Farl says:

Semmi says:

Monika N. says:

Farl says:

Ian Campsall says:

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