Trioceros

Trioceros is a genus of chameleons in the family Chamaeleonidae, native to sub-Saharan Africa. The genus was established to reclassify a group of African chameleons previously placed in Chamaeleo and related genera. The name, derived from Greek tri- “three” and keras “horn,” alludes to horned forms found in several species, though horn development is not uniform across the genus.

Morphology varies among species. Many Trioceros show crests or horns on the head, especially in males, used in display and combat, while others have a more rounded casque and lack horns. Size ranges from small to large; notable species include the large Meller’s chameleon.

Trioceros occupies a variety of habitats across East and Central Africa, including tropical forests, woodlands, and rocky outcrops. They are skilled climbers and often inhabit trees and scrub. They are insectivorous, feeding on crickets, grasshoppers, and other arthropods.

Reproduction is generally oviparous, with females laying eggs after mating, often in leaf litter or loose soil. Incubation periods and clutch sizes vary by species and environmental conditions.

Some species are popular in the pet trade and are subject to conservation concerns. Habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as collection pressures, threaten certain Trioceros populations in parts of their range. Taxonomic revision continues as new molecular data refine species limits within the genus.

Selected species include Trioceros jacksonii (Jackson’s chameleon), Trioceros deremensis (Deremens’ chameleon), Trioceros melleri (Meller’s chameleon), Trioceros quadricornis (four-horned chameleon), and Trioceros hoehnelii (Höhnel’s chameleon).