Identification please

[marelacerta]

Hey guys, im new here.Its nice that i found this forum
So, im working here in Uganda,Africa, and the other day i found a guy that was selling some animals. He had puppies,cats,rabbits and one small thing in some king of a cage. When i looked closely i saw it as a chameleon. I was disturbed that little guy was dehidrated and very skiny. So i paid that guy and took it with me. Little guy was so thirsty that he couldnt stop drinking. I made him temporary home until i get time and make something better. If someone could identify it for me it would be great. Thanks guys.

Here are some pictures i have.

 

[Trace]

Neat find! That is a Trioceros ellioti or Elliot’s Groove Throated Chameleon. It’s most likely a male and the reason I say that is the dark lateral line on his flanks; the females don’t generally exhibit that. The females tend to have a more round shape where this one is lankier. The tail base is usually slightly thicker on the males although that is hard to see in your photos. If you could get a picture with the tail straight out we could confirm for sure.

The Elliot's aren’t a bulky/beefy species so don’t be alarmed by his slender physique. He isn’t in pristine condition but for an animal that was recently plucked from the wild he doesn’t look bad at all. Make sure he gets lots of water and I’ve found the species aren’t picky eaters so do offer appropriate sized bugs daily.

 

[marelacerta]

Thanks for the reply He is eating everything,esspecially likes those small grasshoppers And also likes water allot.

Here are two photos, that is the best i can make with my phone



This is closest and best i can do to focus on the base of his tale(for now )

 

[Trace]

The Trioceros bitaeniatus and the Trioceros ellioti are very closely related and to be honest the former did cross my mind last night as an option. However the bitaeniatus are generally not so green in colour. The male bitaeniatus don’t have such a marked hemipenal bulge either.

So yeah, you’ve got male.

 

[marelacerta]

Nice, so now im looking for a female. Is it possible to put 2 more females with him? Or is it better to put only one?


Cage update

 

[junglefries]

Please post more pics, as time goes on. I haven't seen but one picture (I believe) of these. Very interesting.

 

[marelacerta]

As soon as my camera charges i will take better photos.

Here is another one, trough cage, with a phone

 

[Trace]

Wow, that last photo really reminds me of a Trioceros goetzei – another closely related species to the bitaeniatus and ellioti. They aren’t found in Uganda though.

There are some species of chameleons that can live communally and the Elliot’s are certainly one of them. I do highly recommend not doing it in captivity though. This species mates several times over the course of the year and the males can be particularly persistent in pursuit of the females. The females, once gravid, are particularly nasty right back. There is also food and basking area competition if there is more than one per cage. The submissive one won’t ever be able to escape from the dominant animal. I always kept mine separate.

This particular group of chameleons are my hands down favourites. I’ve definitely written extensively about them on this forum. Run a search on goetzei, ellioti, sternfeldi and/or bitaeniatus for care info. Obviously you are keeping him in situ so you really can’t get much better than that for natural conditions.

Keep us posted too about your chameleon(s). There are a few of us that have worked with the species and like hearing about them. If you happen to see any other chameleons through your work there, certainly post them. It’s always neat to see chameleons in the wild. (Particularly this two lined family )