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| Bradypodion | |
|---|---|
| |
| Robertson dwarf chameleon (Bradypodion gutturale) at Anysberg Nature Reserve | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Chamaeleonidae |
| Subfamily: | Chamaeleoninae |
| Genus: | Bradypodion Fitzinger, 1843 |
| Type species | |
| Chamaeleo pumilus Daudin, 1802
| |
| Diversity | |
| 20 species | |
Bradypodion (meaning "slow-footed" in Greek) is a genus of chameleons in the family Chamaeleonidae, collectively called South African dwarf chameleons. All species are found in South Africa and most are endemic to this country, but a few can also be found in Eswatini, Lesotho, southernmost Namibia and possibly southernmost Mozambique. They are quite small chameleons where the different species often can be difficult to separate by appearance, although exact location (each species tends to have a rather small distribution) and the intense breeding colours of males are useful for their identification. They are arboreal, but some species are mostly found low in the vegetation.[1]
Bradypodion feed on small invertebrates, especially insects.[1] They rapidly reach sexual maturity, typically at an age between half a year and one year, but sometimes up to two years.[1][2] Adult males are territorial.[1] It is the only genus of chameleon where females of all species give birth to live young rather than lay eggs (the only other chameleons that give birth to live young are certain Trioceros species). This is likely an adaption to the relatively cold climate of southern Africa in comparison to tropical Africa. Colder temperatures slow the development of eggs laid in the ground; when instead retained inside the body until birth, a female can actively sun bask to increase the temperature.[3] A female can give birth to up to 20 young per time, twice or rarely even three times in a year.[1]
Up until the early 2000s, some other chameleons from eastern and central Africa were occasionally placed herein, but they are now placed in Kinyongia and Nadzikambia.[4]
- ^ a b c d e Branch, B. (1998). Field Guide to the Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa (3 ed.). Struik Publishers. pp. 220–227. ISBN 1-86872-040-3.
- ^ "Ep 21: South African Dwarf Chameleons". ChameleonAcademy. 15 April 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
- ^ Hughes, D.F.; Blackburn, D.G. (2020). "Evolutionary origins of viviparity in Chamaeleonidae". Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research. 58 (1): 284–302. doi:10.1111/jzs.12328.
- ^ Tilbury, C.R.; Tolley, K.A.; Branch, W.R. (2006). "A review of the genus Bradypodion (Sauria: Chamaeleonidae), with the descriptions of two new genera". Zootaxa. 1363: 23–38. doi:10.11646/ZOOTAXA.1363.1.2.