The strange-horned chameleon (''Kinyongia xenorhina''), also known as Rwenzori plate-nosed chameleon or single welded-horn chameleon, is a species of

chameleon Chameleons or chamaeleons (family Chamaeleonidae) are a distinctive and highly specialized clade of Old World lizards with 202 species described as of June 2015. The members of this family are best known for their distinct range of colors, bein ...

. It is native to the

rainforest Rainforests are characterized by a closed and continuous tree canopy, moisture-dependent vegetation, the presence of epiphytes and lianas and the absence of wildfire. Rainforest can be classified as tropical rainforest or temperate rainfores ...

s of the Ruwenzori Mountains of western Uganda and eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The strange-horned chameleon is named for the large protuberance extending from the top of its snout, particularly prominent on the males of the species. This feature is composed of two separate plates extending outwards from either side of the snout and merging at the end. This feature has also earned it the alternate common name single welded-horn chameleon. It also has a very high casque (a helmet-like structure towards the back of the skull). The head and casque are covered with enlarged, plate-like scales.Spawls, S., K. Howell, R. Drewes, and J. Ashe. (2002). ''A Field Guide to the Reptiles of East Africa.'' Academic Press. Strange-horned chameleons are olive to brown in color. Males range more towards olive and females more towards brown. They can reach a total length of . They have among the sharpest "teeth" and longest claws of any chameleon species. The strange-horned chameleon has rarely been bred in

captivity Captivity, or being held captive, is a state wherein humans or other animals are confined to a particular space and prevented from leaving or moving freely. An example in humans is imprisonment. Prisoners of war are usually held in captivity by a ...

. Most of the current population is within the

Rwenzori Mountains National Park Rwenzori Mountains National Park is a Ugandan national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Rwenzori Mountains. Almost in size, the park has Africa's third highest mountain peak and many waterfalls, lakes, and glaciers. The park i ...

. Suitable forest habitat has largely disappeared from outside the park, and some habitat destruction is also occurring inside the park. In addition, overcollecting for the live animal trade is a serious potential threat, even though the species is not much traded at present. The

IUCN The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN; officially International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) is an international organization working in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natu ...

considers it near threatened. CITES lists it in the

Appendix II CITES (shorter name for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, also known as the Washington Convention) is a multilateral treaty to protect endangered plants and animals from the threats of interna ...

References

Kinyongia Lizards of Africa Reptiles of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Reptiles of Uganda Reptiles described in 1901 Taxa named by George Albert Boulenger {{chameleon-stub