B. xenorhinum is found in the montane rainforests of the Ruwenzori Mountains of western Uganda and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire). This exotic-looking species (even by chameleon standards) attains a total length of up to 11 inches. For additional size information on wild caught B. xenorhinum see xenorhinum table
It has rarely been bred in captivity but is known to be oviparous. Males have a dramatic rostral protuberance for which this species is named. The rostral process is composed of two spatula-shaped, laterally compressed processes which bifurcate as they proceed caudally. In females, this structure is much reduced. B. xenorhinum also sports an exceptionally high casque with greatly enlarged parietal lobes but lacking occipital lobes. Scalation is heterogeneous. The head and casque are covered with enlarged, plate-like scales. Body coloration is olive green to brown. B. xenorhinum is said to have among the sharpest 'teeth' and longest claws of any of the
Chamaeleonidae (Euan John Edwards, personal communication, 2001). Males have a greatly enlarged rostral process and exhibit more olive in their basic coloration. Females are said to exhibit more brown.
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.
Spawls,
S., Howell, K., Drewes, R.,
and Ashe, J. 2002. A
Field Guide to the Reptiles
of East Africa. Academic
Press, New York.
