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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

IUCN SSC Chameleon Specialist Group @iucnchameleons.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Tomorrow (May 9) is International Chameleon Day! Here is an interview with The Revalator pitching to increase education on chameleons globally & locally in range states year round & discussing the conservation of chameleons. therevelator.org/chameleons-c...

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Today we had a litter of Jackson’s Three-horned Chameleons (Trioceros j. jacksonii) born in the lab. These will now be a part of various projects we have going on focusing on different aspects of physiology, metabolism & scaling. Lots of babies in the lab & it looks like a more to come soon!

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

John R. Platt @johnrplatt.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

We need to talk about #chameleons. When I started researching this article, I found there had been almost no coverage of chameleon conservation issues over the past few years. It's time to change that: therevelator.org/chameleons-c...

therevelator.org

Even Chameleons Can’t Hide From Climate Change • The Revelator

These amazing, camouflaged reptiles have adapted to life in unique microhabitats, but that’s also made them more vulnerable to disruption.

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Had a litter of Trioceros hoehnelii born in the lab today. The mother of this clutch is in the lab for some locomotion work we are doing. These will now be a part of various projects we have going on focusing on different aspects of physiology, metabolism & scaling. Always fun having babies born!

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Busy week from the field back to USD.

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

IUCN SSC Chameleon Specialist Group @iucnchameleons.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

A new article argues that a new C. dilepis complex species is invalid under ICZN rules, the description does not uphold the claims made to define the new species, & that elevation of additional subspecies to species status are premature. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

The montane fynbos ecomorph of the Southern Dwarf Chameleon (Bradypodion ventrale) at Groendal Nature Reserve.

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

The “typical” forest ecomorph of the Pondo Dwarf Chameleon (Bradypodion caffrum) at Port St. Johns.

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

Grassland ecomorph of the Pondo Dwarf Chameleon (Bradypodion caffer) at Mkambati Nature Reserve.

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Christopher V. Anderson @chrisvanderson.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

We made it to the third round, one step closer to a $10,000 prize to support chameleon conservation! Please vote again for Rhampholeon acuminatus to help us secure this funding! You can vote every day on every device! Voting for the third round ends on March 26! Vote now!

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Christopher V. Anderson @chrisvanderson.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

One round closer to a $10,000 prize to support chameleon conservation! Please vote again for Rhampholeon acuminatus in the second round of this competition to help us secure this funding!

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

IUCN SSC Chameleon Specialist Group @iucnchameleons.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Help Rhampholeon acuminatus come roaring back by casting your vote in the Indianapolis Zoo's Uproar Conservation Challenge! Every vote helps our species advance to the next round and brings us closer to the $10,000 conservation prize! Round one voting ends March 19 www.UproarChallenge.com

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

IUCN SSC Chameleon Specialist Group @iucnchameleons.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Vote to help our species advance through the bracket-style competition and compete for a $10,000 conservation prize that supports our conservation efforts! Visit the website for more info on this conservation themed March Madness-style bracket competition: www.indianapoliszoo.com/uproar-conse...

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

IUCN SSC Chameleon Specialist Group @iucnchameleons.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Help earn conservation funding for chameleons by voting to advance the Nguru Spiny Pygmy Chameleon (Rhampholeon acuminatus) through the Indianapolis Zoo Uproar Conservation Challenge starting March 16. www.indianapoliszoo.com/uproar-conse...

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

Some Chamaeleo calyptratus hatching in the lab currently as part of a bunch of thermal physiology, metabolic and scaling work. Always fun having babies born!

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

IUCN SSC Chameleon Specialist Group @iucnchameleons.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

The first digital anatomical atlases of the chameleon skull, nervous system & cranial & hyolingual muscles are published, including lesson plans to bridge a gap between theoretical knowledge & hands-on analysis in comparative anatomy anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

James T. Stroud @jameststroud.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

🦎THREAD: We just published something wild in @asn-amnat.bsky.social - lizards missing entire limbs not only survive, but some appear to actually thrive in the wild?! Let me tell you about the "three-legged pirate" lizards 🏴‍☠️ [Paper: www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/... ] (1/n)

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

IUCN SSC Chameleon Specialist Group @iucnchameleons.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

122 cases of limb loss in lizards revealed that these these rare survivors of traumatic injuries can run just as fast, maintain healthy body weight, reproduce successfully & live surprisingly long lives. Article: www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/... Summary: theconversation.com/3-legged-liz...

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

IUCN SSC Chameleon Specialist Group @iucnchameleons.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

A new geographic distribution in the latest issue of African Herp News details new records of Rieppeleon brachyurus in Mozambique, including the first record south of the Zambezi River. African Herp News is available to HAA members or publicly after ~1 yr: africanherpetology.org/african-herp...

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

IUCN SSC Chameleon Specialist Group @iucnchameleons.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

A new note details egg-laying in Chamaeleo dilepis in Kenya, documenting the process from excavation through departure, noting female color changes & local superstitions about finding a digging chameleon. African Herp News is available after ~1 year: africanherpetology.org/african-herp...

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

IUCN SSC Chameleon Specialist Group @iucnchameleons.bsky.social · 20/09/2025

A reevaluation of chameleon foraging mode using movement- & attack-based indices. Chameleons spent most of the day in stationary positions & fed more when stationary than when moving, suggesting they should be considered ambush foragers rather than "cruise foragers". academic.oup.com/cz/advance-a...

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Current Biology @currentbiology.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

In our latest issue, we're going ballistic! On the cover, a chameleon capturing prey, using its ballistic tongue, driven by a linear actuator, a skeletal rod squeezed out by muscles. So ingenious is the solution that lungless salamanders evolved it too... 🦎 www.cell.com/current-biol...

A Wolkberg dwarf chameleon (Bradypodion transvaalense) using its ballistic tongue to capture prey.

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

Some nice coverage on our new chameleon and salamander feeding paper: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujjq...

youtube.com

Ballistic Tongues: How do they do that? | The Bat Signal

YouTube video by Dan Riskin

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

IUCN SSC Chameleon Specialist Group @iucnchameleons.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

While similar mechanistically, ballistic tongues of chameleons & salamanders were each assembled via a different sequence of innovations, highlighting how biomechanical modularity, rather than exceptional materials, underlies this vertebrate ballistic innovation.

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

IUCN SSC Chameleon Specialist Group @iucnchameleons.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

Chameleons & salamanders evolved a sliding-based linear actuator to launch the tongue via muscular squeezing of a tapered skeletal rod, contrasting with tendon-driven pulling mechanisms common in most musculoskeletal systems, allowing acceleration along a straight path. www.cell.com/current-biol...

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

IUCN SSC Chameleon Specialist Group @iucnchameleons.bsky.social · 22/08/2025

A new article documents a new locality for the Endangered Calumma vencesi in the Sorata Forest of NE Madagascar. Their presence supports the need to conserve this valuable mountain forest, which is also home to the likely Critically Endangered Brookesia nana. www.biotaxa.org/hn/article/v...

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

A 2nd clutch of Bradypodion melanocephalum from Durban was born in the lab this week (in addition to the clutch from Hilton ~2.5 weeks ago)! Here a 2 day old neonate is next to an ~12 week old juvenile (clutch has grown 6-10x in mass since birth). Lots of cool data being collected in the lab!

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

IUCN SSC Chameleon Specialist Group @iucnchameleons.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

Half of respondents reported seeing flashlights shining at night & some reported trespassing & confrontational interactions with individuals repeatedly entering their yards to collect chameleons, highlighting the importance of recognizing social impacts of species introductions.

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

IUCN SSC Chameleon Specialist Group @iucnchameleons.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

A study on societal impacts of introduced populations of F. pardalis in Florida found that residents knew of but expressed low concern about the chameleons' presence, expressing more concern for their safety given the activities of private collectors. digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcont...

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

IUCN SSC Chameleon Specialist Group @iucnchameleons.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

Some hopeful news on the Critically Endangered Furcifer belalandaensis, which was recently discovered in some less disturbed habitat than it has previously been known from, possibly providing an opportunity to better protect the species! Article: greenauve.org/new-hope-for...

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

A clutch of Bradypodion cf. melanocephalum “Hilton” born in the lab today! Immediately getting some metabolic rate data from them to follow through ontogeny! Have also been getting metabolic rate data from the mother for the last 3 months and will continue as she recovers from birth as well!

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

Anderson lab members are coauthoring 11 talks and posters with collaborators at the Joint Meeting of Ichthyology and Herpetology (JMIH) this week in St. Paul, MN!

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

Two female Trioceros jacksonii, which appear to be T. j. xantholophus with rostral horns, from 2,130m elevation on the western/southwestern slopes of Mount Kenya.

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

Trioceros hoehnelii from 2,130m elevation on the western/southwestern slopes of Mount Kenya!

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

Some Trioceros hoehnelii from the Naro Moru route on Mount Kenya!

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

Aberdares Montane Dwarf Chameleon (Trioceros kinangopensis)!

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

Kenya Montane Viper (Montatheris hindii)!

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

High-casqued Chameleons (Trioceros hoehnelii)!

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

Members of the Anderson Lab (past and present) in Kenya. Of course they are finding lots of cool chameleons and other herps! Stay tuned for some cool highlights!

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

Headed home from a successful trip!

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

Recording feeding trials at different temperatures using high-speed video to look at thermal effects on performance in elastic recoil- and muscle-powered movements.

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · 12/04/2025

Searching for Bradypodion sp. “Emerald” (Emerald Dwarf Chameleons) and a couple things along the way.

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

Finding and photographing Bradypodion thamnobates, and animal care in the field at Colin Tilbury’s house.

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

Finishing off some collection and checking out some other local chameleon taxa. Bradypodion cf. melanocephalum “Hilton” & Bradypodion cf. thamnobates “Karkloof”

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

Some good luck finding chameleons & some looks at a few local snakes thanks to help from local herpers Nick Evans & Carla Goede! Bradypodion melanocephalum, Chamaeleo dilepis, Python natalensis hatchlings, & Dastpeltis inornata.

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · 05/04/2025

Off for a round of fieldwork in South Africa! Pictures from the trip and work to follow as usual.

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

Further, we show that supercontracting muscle in chameleons may share common contractile and structural properties due to a common origin from occipital somites. royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/... 6/6

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

We propose this broadened length-tension relationship is achieved through sarcomere length non-uniformity with muscle fibers across the muscle belly at different starting lengths during contraction, resulting in some fibers shortening onto their force plateau while others shorten off it. 5/6

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

One does so with perforated z-discs, representing the 2nd known example of supercontracting muscle in vertebrates. The other, on the other hand, has typical, uninterrupted z-discs & should therefore be limited in the range of lengths over which it is able to change & continue to exert force. 4/6

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Reposted by Christopher V. Anderson

Anderson Lab @andersonlabusd.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

Chameleons rely on greater hyoid motion than other lizards & associated muscles may benefit from supercontractile properties. We show that 2 hyoid retractor muscles (m. sternohyoideus superficialis et profundus) show similarly broad length-tension relationships to their supercontracting muscle. 3/6

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