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A
guide to the Reptiles of Sri Lanka - SriLankaReptile.com
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Order Squamata ;
Suborder Sauria
Family Chamaeleonidae (Chameleon)
The Chameleon (Chameleo
zeylanicus) is a rare reptile restricted to the scrub jungles
and forests of the North-western and Northern dry zone region, with
only very few scattered records from Mulativu, Tabbowa, Mankulum, Jaffna,
Marichchukaddi, Puttalam and Wilpattu NP. It is largely arboreal and
only rarely descends to ground, to mate or lay eggs. The arboreal
habit is facilitated by the highly prehensile tail. The Chameleon
is a very slow moving species and the eyes can be independently
moved of each other. The tongue can be 'shot out' to a distance almost equal to the body length in order to catch insects. It has
the ability to change colour at an impressive speed. The known
habitat of the species in the country is largely destroyed due to
deforestation and chena cultivation.
Genus Chameleo
Laurenti, 1768
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Chameleo
zeylanicus
Laurenti, 1768; Sri Lankan Chameleon (E); Bodiliya (S)
  
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