Warty chameleon

Description

The warty chameleon is a large species with males growing to a total length of 56 centimetres (22 in) and females reaching 21 cm (8 in).On its head it has a casque,a helmet-like crest formed from scales.A small crest runs along a raised ridge from its eyes to its snout.There are further low crests running along the flanks,down the throat and along the belly.A distinctive crest of up to forty 4 millimetres (0.16 in) spines runs along the back in males but this is cut short in females,continuing along the spine as tubercles.Both sexes have a row of large scales forming a lateral line.The long tail is prehensile.The general colour of this chameleon is grey or brown variously blotched or indistinctly banded,with a white intermittent streak along each side.Females are usually paler in colour and males are often tinged with green on the belly,tail and limbs.