About Furcifer rhinoceratus (Gray, 1845)
Scientific name: Furcifer rhinoceratus (Gray, 1845). Male rhinoceros chameleons reach around 27 centimetres (11 inches) in length, which is approximately twice the size of females. Males have a proboscis-like snout that projects forward above the mouth; this feature gives the species its common name. Females have a smaller snout. A small crest made of triangular, projecting scales sits on the top of the head, and an additional crest runs partway along the spine. The species' base body colour is typically grey or light brown, with a small number of darker transverse bars. The snout is often bluish, the lips are pale, and a single white line runs down each side of the body. Females have a similar base colouration to males, but when carrying eggs, they turn purple with black bands and an orange or red tail. The rhinoceros chameleon is endemic to dry forests in western Madagascar. Its geographic range stretches from Ankarafantsika National Park in the northwest to Soalala in the southwest. However, most sightings of this species in the central part of its range were recorded a long time ago, and it is not confirmed whether the species still occurs in these areas today.
