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B. superciliaris inhabits the rain forest floor of the east coast of Madagascar and Nosy-Boraha Island where they are reportedly found in local abundance. Overall length is up to 4 inches. Like B. minima, these tiny animals are reported to be timid but highly active. B. superciliaris is one of the larger members of the genus. The head is flattened and possessed of a thorny caudal casque. The orbital crest has two triangular plates formed by enlarged scales. There are 5 "thorns" formed by enlarged scales along the jaws just below the anterior tip of the jaw. A row of thorns is found dorsally along each side of the spine. Color-changing ability is poorly developed. Brown, dirty yellow and black splotches predominate. Males exhibit a swollen tail base (hemipenial bulge). Females lay 2-5 eggs and may have 2-3 clutches per year. As with all members of this genus, captive care is difficult and long term breeding success virtually nonexistent.
References
Klaver, C. & W. Boehme. 1997. Chamaeleonidae.
Das Tierreich, 112: i-xiv' 1 - 85. Verlag Walter de Gruyter & Co., Berlin, New York
Martin, J., 1992. Masters of Disguise: A Natural History of Chameleons. Facts On File, Inc., New York, NY.
Necas, P. 1999. Chameleons: Nature's Hidden Jewels. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, FL.
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