A Second Species of Exotic Chameleon Established in Florida


Oustalet's Chameleon, Furcifer oustaleti, a species endemic to Madagascar is now known to be the second chamaeleonid to be introduced into the state of Florida. The Veiled Chameleon, Chamaeleo calyptratus , is the other species established in Florida. Furcifer oustaleti is one of the largest species of chameleons, reaching 0.685 m. However, another Madagascar endemic, Calumma parsonii may be the same size or larger. Another introduced population of F. oustaleti may is suspected to exist in the vicinity of Nairobi, Kenya. The Florida  population was started by an animal dealer in Dade County, Florida sometime prior to December of 2000. The extant population inhabits an avocado grove, contains both sexes, as well as gravid females, and has been able to survive the cold snap of 2010. The article is available on line from the Center of North American Herpetology.
Citation
Gillette, C. R., K. L . Krysko, J. A. Wasilewski, G. N. Kieckhefer III, E. F. Metzger III, M. R. Rochford, D. Cueva, and D. C. Smith. 2010. Oustalet’s Chameleon, Furcifer oustaleti (Mocquard 1894) (Chamaeleonidae), a Non-indigenous Species Newly Established in Florida. IRCF Reptiles & Amphibians. 17(4):248-249.

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