About
This chameleon is known only from a very small, highly fragmented area of forest on Mount Nzawa.
This enigmatic chameleon is one of around 20 species in its genus. Together, these chameleons split from all other species around 40 million years ago!
The main threat facing Kinyongia mulyai is habitat destruction. There has been around a 50% reduction in the forest habitat of this species in less than a decade and as they are forest specialists it is believed the population of this species has declined proportionately. At present less than 2 km2 of forest habitat remains split over three fragmented areas, the sizes of which are 1.25 km2, 0.3 km2 and 0.085 km2.
This rapid forest loss is due to land conversion for local subsistence agriculture and resource extraction. If this deforestation continues, it is likely to lead to the extinction of this species. Only the halting of forest destruction on Mount Nwaza will remove the threat of extinction. Immediate action is needed to prevent this, with input from local and national levels.
- Order: Squamata
- Family: Chamaeleonidae
- Population: Unknown
- Trend: unknown
- Size: 44mm
EDGE Score
Distribution
The species is found from the Afrotemperate forest on Mount Nzawa, Democratic Republic of Congo, 1,800 metres above sea level.
Habitat and Ecology
This species is a forest specialist that lives in closed canopy montane forest. It perches on branches and vines from a few meters to at least 20 meters high.
