About Bradypodion occidentale (Hewitt, 1935)
Bradypodion occidentale, commonly called the Namaqua Dwarf Chameleon, is relatively large for a dwarf chameleon, reaching a maximum total length of 16 cm. It has a stocky body build and the shortest tail of any species in its genus, Bradypodion. A set of distinctive gular grooves runs from under its chin down to the top of its chest. Its base coloration is a dull, mottled brown-grey. This species is native to coastal regions of the far southwestern tip of Africa, occurring in a continuous coastal belt from Melkbosstrand near Cape Town, South Africa in the south, northward to Lüderitz, Namibia. Within this range, it primarily inhabits coastal Strandveld vegetation, and only very rarely occurs further inland. Near Cape Town in the southern part of its range, its distribution overlaps slightly with that of the Cape Dwarf Chameleon, though the two species prefer different habitats. The two species are also easily distinguishable: the Cape Dwarf Chameleon has much brighter colouration, a lighter body build, a longer tail, and a blunter nose and casque than Bradypodion occidentale. Near human settlements, Namaqua Dwarf Chameleons are often killed by domestic cats. This species is also threatened by habitat loss, as coastal vegetation is increasingly disturbed for development.
