Ep 104: Cameroon Chameleon Field Study with Walter Tapondjou
In west Africa there is a line of volcanic mountains that starts in the Gulf of Guinea and makes landfall in the country of Cameroon. Upon these ancient volcanos has arisen some of the most incredible chameleons found nowhere else. Today we talk with Walter Tapondjou, a scientist whose research work focuses on the bizarre and beautiful chameleons of Cameroon.
1 degree North of the equator, in western Africa, we find the country of Cameroon.
Cameroon is home to a line of volcanic mountains. This mountain range is home to a number of unique chameleon species.
Walter found Trioceros montium and Trioceros cristatus roosting on the same branch on Mt. Cameroon.
Walter is a scientist who was born and raised in Cameroon and turned his research attention to the reptiles and amphibians of his country – with a special focus on chameleons.
Walter measuring perch height in the wild.
A typical chameleon habitat. This is a stream on Mt. Kupe where there were many Trioceros cristatus roosting over night in the bushes.
Rhampholeon spectrum is a pygmy chameleon that ranges across Cameroon and neighboring countries, This is a lowland species that keeps to the tree litter for camouflage protection.
Trioceros quadricornis eisentrauti is the rarest of the three quadricornis subspecies. This subspecies is found only in the Rumpi Hills. This image is of a juvenile.
