About Trioceros melleri (Gray, 1865)
Trioceros melleri (Gray, 1865), commonly known as Meller's chameleon, is the largest chameleon species native to the African mainland. Adult individuals generally reach a total length of 30–61 cm (12–24 in, including the tail) and weigh between 300–500 g (11–18 oz), while exceptionally large specimens have been reported to reach up to 76 cm (30 in) in length and 600 g (21 oz) in weight. Females are typically smaller than males, and have less developed dorsal and medial crests. Compared to other species in the genus Trioceros, this species has a relatively small head that is elongated in shape, relative to its body. T. melleri has a stout body, and a relatively stubby tail that measures one third the length of its body. A low, scalloped crest extends from just behind the head's casque through the proximal half of the tail. A sharp medial crest runs from the lizard's eyes to the tip of its snout, which bears a single small horn. This species also has greatly enlarged occipital lobes. Its scales are heterogeneous, with differing shapes and sizes across different parts of the body, and large granular scales are distributed evenly across the trunk and limbs. One of the species' most distinctive characteristics is the presence of longitudinal rows of large, granular scales in its gular region. The spots and broad vertical bands on the chameleon's flanks can be brown, dark green, yellow, or even black. The species' base coloration is deep forest green with white stripes, but like most chameleons, it can change its color based on different circumstances. When fed or handled, it may display black and white dots. When basking in the sun, the side of its body facing the sunlight can turn dark green or black, while the rest of the body remains much lighter. Meller's chameleon exhibits specific color patterns linked to stress: mild excitement or stress shows as dark spotting over the chameleon's normal color, these dark green spots become black mottling as stress increases, and severe stress turns the chameleon first charcoal gray, then pure white with yellow stripes. A sick Meller's chameleon may be mottled with brown, gray, pink, or white. Gravid females are black, cream, and gray in color, with a visibly bulging body from holding eggs. Its long tongue can capture prey up to 51 cm (20 inches) away. Trioceros melleri is relatively common in bushy savannas and woodlands across East Africa, and can be found in Malawi, northern Mozambique, and Tanzania. Like most chameleons, Meller's chameleon is an obligate carnivore that feeds on insects, smaller lizards, spiders, crickets, worms, and caterpillars; large specimens have been recorded eating small birds. Females produce a single clutch of up to 80 eggs each year. Newborn Meller's chameleons measure approximately 10 cm (4 inches) in length. In captivity, newborns must be fed Drosophilidae and tiny crickets for the first three weeks of life, after which they will accept house flies and larger insect prey including crickets, locusts, silkworms, and cockroaches. This species can live up to twelve years.
