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Chameleons can indeed swim,
They inflate there bodies and become quite adept to float and paddle around wit there feet, obviously they will not go directly into water for "fun"
but if they happen to fall off a branch ect they are able to get to land again.

thanks fooble.
I'd say they were "floating" more than actively swimming and did really seem appreciative to clamber onto the stick I held out to them. Then enjoyed their boat ride back to the bank too.

So, I guess i didn't really need to rescue them but I'm pleased i did (just in case). I probably wouldn't intervene again, although it gave my boat safari guests a lovely opportunity to see chameleons close up, and i could point out the telescopic tongue and independently moving eyes etc.

They are simply amazing little things!!!!
These are not from SA but wanted to share a little information. They are abundant in Kenya with all these taken in 1 garden(Nairobi)... Normally they are easy to spot at night as previously stated in this thread but there are so many of them you spot them during the day....

Amazing!

Am always on the lookout for Chameleons in KNP. Saw this one on my recent visit, and I stopped to look at it, photograph it, and was very happy when the next car arrived, they were also sympathetic and promptly stopped as well. Eventually it clambered back to the side of the road and disppeared-safe from human predators at any rate. Great camouflage I thought.



And then also saw this one, trying to cross a very hot road- it went two feet at a time. Very interesting to watch.



Cheers

Noel

I love chameleons they are such amazing animals!!

Awesome pictures noel especially the first one, wow

when i was in Durban a week ago we went on a chameleon safari one night well thats what my prof called it and we managed to find two flap neck chameleons. The area we had found them was not very safe for them so we picked them up, and it is honestly an amazing experience to hold one! they are very relaxed and have quite a grip between their two toes with those little claws. They also seem to like vantage points and took up accommodation right on top of your head after climbing all the way from your hand

Some more pictures for you guys.


Bradypodion dracomontanum - Drakensberg



These pictures were from earlier his month on a chameleon night mission
i went on.


Bradypodion melanocephalum - Jaunuray 2010 Westville Kwa Zulu natal







Chamaeleo dilepis - Westville Jaunary 2010

Where in Durban did you find them?
Generally i would suggest never to remove them from their natural habitat as
they generally will inhabit specific area's and dont take nciely to new chameleons in their "range".

amazing pictures fooble!!

Outside isipingo, but the area there is a trucking area and where they where along the fence is inundated by pollution so we took them probably half a kilometre away and inside isipingo. My prof seemed to think it was ok and he is a world renowned herpetologist.

Thanks!

i was just asking as i get many chameleons bought to me from people who remove then from their environment only to have difficulty keeping them and handing them over,
and mixing up population densities is not a good thing at all.

Chameleon cruising is fun indeed hey

Sounds like you have a very interesting job there or hobby!

This one was crossing the road in Kruger and while trying to protect him by blocking the road, a Yellow-billed Kite suddenly swooped down and plucked it off the road right in front of us.

Large

Am I right in thinking its a Flap-necked Chameleon? or was!

Elsa, now I have no problem with that.

As they say in the classics...."_ _ it happens"!

This beauty was taken on the S131 close to the Rhidonda Pan.
A car approaching from the front thought I signaled a 'hi', but actually I had my hand up in the air telling him to stop.
Anyway, it ended up in him waving a 'hi' back and kept on driving, JUST missing this little one.

Another Flap Neck Chameleon this one was a hatchling.

Great photo