THE THREE HORNED CHAMELEONS ON MT RWENZORI NATIONAL PARK
The East African Unique endemic reptile species, the three horned chameleon which is also known as the Jackson’s chameleon and scientifically referred to as Trioceros Jacksonii. Mostly they live in places with higher altitude at least above 4000metres above sea level and this explains why this unique reptile the three horned chameleon habits the slopes of the great Rwenzori Mountain. Rwenzori Mountain is situated in western Uganda bordering with the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is the one of the must visit places travelers interested in a Safaris in Uganda, the Pearl of Africa.
The three horned chameleons have unique features compared to any other normal chameleons for example the three horns, one horn is on the nose and is called a rostal horn and the others are above the orbital ridge after the eyes. Their elongated and sticky tongue that allows them to trap their prey. The three thorned chameleons have round exceptional eyes that are able to rotate in all direction even they are not moving and helps them capture their pray and even protecting themselves against predators.
The Jackson’s chameleon also change their color according to surrounding environment, when there are on green vegetation they turn their skin to match with the green vegetation and when there are on brown vegetation they turn their skin to match the brown vegetation
The feet of the Jackson’s chameleons are different from that of other normal lizard because they can hold firmly on to the trunks while climbing the trees. The three horned chameleons have a life span around 5years to 10years. A well grown three chameleon measures 30cm to 35cm long and a male one is usually longer than a female one.
The three thorned chameleon’s gestation period goes to five and six months, giving birth to 8 to 20 offspring. These three horned chameleons are basically omnivorous, mainly feeding on bugs, grasshoppers, small birds, crickets, butterflies, snails and spiders.
The biggest threat to these unique three horned chameleons are the snakes that feed on them and the people who hunt for their horns for herbal medicine.
