Native to the Uzungwe and Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania, Werner's chameleon is a montane species, geographically restricted and probably threatened. Males have 2 preocular and one rostral horn. Females have only a single, large rostral horn or no horns at all. This difference becomes apparent beginning at approximately 4 months of age. C. werneri attains a total length of 12 inches.

Very similar to C. fuelleborni, C. werneri and C. fuelleborni may be distinguished partly on the basis of the occipital lobes. The occipital lobes of C. fuelleborni have a maximum of 15 large, plate-like scales covering each lobe. These are intermingled with smaller scales. C. werneri has up 30 such plate-like scales, giving the impression that the lobes are larger and more elongated than in C. fuelleborni. Thus, the lobe scales on C. werneri appear to be finer than those on C. fuelleborni (Rob Pilley, personal communication). Male C. werneri have 3 annulated horns (1 rostral and 2 preocular). Females have a single large, annulated rostral horn. The parietal crest is anteriorly forked and the large occipital lobes are completely fused. There is a well developed dorsal crest which has a scalloped appearance (compared to the spiked appearance of the dorsal crest in C. fuelleborni). Small gular and ventral crests are present. Squamation is roughly heterogeneous. Basic coloration is brown with cream markings. However, the interstitial skin is a red-pink, often giving the animal a decidedly reddish tint.

C. werneri is moderately aggressive toward conspecifics but little is known about their husbandry and for this reason they should be kept only by those with extensive experience in chameleon husbandry. Approximately 9-30 live young are born and only one clutch/year seems to be the rule. Sexual maturity occurs at 6 months of age.

Contributed by E. Pollak

References
Klaver, C. & W. Boehme. 1997. Chamaeleonidae. Das Tierreich, 112: i-xiv' 1 - 85. Verlag Walter de Gruyter & Co., Berlin, New York.
Martin, J., 1992. Masters of Disguise: A Natural History of Chameleons. Facts On File, Inc., New York, NY.
Necas, P. 1999. Chameleons: Nature's Hidden Jewels. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, FL.

Spawls, S., Howell, K., Drewes, R., and Ashe, J. 2002. A Field Guide to the Reptiles of East Africa. Academic Press, New York.