We found the Emerald Dwarf Chameleon
perched on a young Protea Plant sunning itself.
We had made a treck down from the Sutu
into South Africa to find this rarely seen chameleon
that apparently has only been photographed
a handful of times.
It gets confused with the Drakensberg Dwarf Chameleon
which is found in central-northern Drakensberg.
This Emerald Dwarf Chameleon is found
in the southern Drakensberg.
People believe that chameleons choose to change color
to match the surroundings for camouflage
But, this is not true
They have a natural coloration
to suit their habitat,
which allows them to blend in to their background.
They change color as a psychological response
to external factors.
For example, when males are courting females
they might display vivid bright colors for attraction
This beautiful reptile moved away onto another plant
and I noticed it moved really slowly with these
hesitant steps and a slow swaying jerk
as it went down the branch.
This is another way to increase its ability
to blend in to its surroundings
mimicking the movement of leaves when they blow.
I watched its feet
with its tiny claws gripping effectively.
Its prehensile tail also holding on from behind.
Chameleons have the ability
to move their eyes independently.
And their specially designed eye sockets
give them a 360 degree view of their surroundings.
Suddenly, its eye focus forward.
A chameleon's tongue moves at over
20 kilometers an hour.
And it's spring loaded with a sticky substance on it.
The fly didn't have a chance.
Subtitles by the Amara.org community