Swartberg dwarf chameleon


The Swartberg dwarf chameleon, is a chameleon in the genus Bradypodion native to southern Africa.

Description

Taxonomy: For many years a dwarf chameleon of undetermined taxonomic status was known from the Swartberg area. A subsequent phylogenetic study resulted in its description as a new species. Morphologically it can be confused with B. gutturale but the two species are allopatric.
Distribution: Endemic to the Greater and Lesser Swartberg mountains, Western Cape, South Africa.
It occurs in the Swartberg Nature Reserve, in the Swartberg Mountain range. Here it is known from the area of Die Hel and the Swartberg Pass, near Prince Albert. Here it occurs in Mountain Fynbos vegetation.