If you spend some time Upcountry on Maui, you might just encounter a very interesting creature. The Jackson’s Chameleon is a bright green colored reptile with a grumpy little face that likes humid areas and higher altitudes. Around 10-12 inches long, the males have three distinct horns coming out of their foreheads. The females, without horns, are somewhat smaller. These critters move so slowly, if you do see one you’ll probably get a good chance to observe it for a while. Rocking back and forth steadily, it’ll take its sweet time making its way up a tree or even across the road.
People always seem excited to sight a Jackson’s Chameleon, and there’s somewhat of a reverence for them up here. I’ve even seen folks pull their cars over to get out and help a Jackson’s cross the street. I guess I always figured there was some ancient spiritual connection with the chameleons and the islands. Well, it turns out they’re actually an invasive species that can pose a predatory threat to native insects, spiders and snails. They don’t appear to be a high priority pest here, but there are efforts by agencies like MISC (Maui Invasive Species Committee) to establish whether existing populations can be controlled.
Hawaii state law prohibits importing or transporting chameleons, lizards or snakes within the state or exporting to the mainland, and there’s a good reason for that. You’re probably wondering how these strange beasties got here in the first place. The story goes that back in the early 1970’s, a pet shop owner in Kaneohe on Oahu was given the okay by the state to import some Jackson’s Chameleons from Kenya for resale in his store. Apparently when they arrived, they were looking a little sickly to him…so he released them into his backyard with the hopes that they would regain their health after the long trip over. His intention was to recapture them and put them in his shop, but instead the reptiles made themselves at home in the great outdoors. Eventually, they also made their way to neighboring islands like Maui.
Some fun facts about Jackson’s Chameleons:
They have opposable toes, which means they can grip things like tree branches. They also have a curly looking prehensile tail that is capable of grasping objects.
Their eyes rotate independently of each other, which adds to the charm of their crazy face.
The males use their rostral projections (what?!?)…their three horns…to wage combat with other males.
In response to differences in temperature and as a way to communicate with each other, Jackson’s Chameleons can change color. They have specialized skin cells called chromatophores that are triggered by their central nervous system to release pigment.
Take a trip through the Upcountry area of Maui and be on the lookout for this fascinating fauna.
Some useful info: Jackson’s Chameleons are sometimes confused with the larger Veiled Chameleon, a higher priority invasive predator that is a threat to native birds. Veiled chameleons can grow around two feet long. They also lay eggs, as opposed to Jackson’s which bear live young, so they have a higher reproductive capacity. To find out more about the differences between the two, visit Hawaii Invasive Species Council. Jackson’s Chameleons have not become established on the island of Kauai so far, and Kauai would like to keep it that way. If you happen to be visiting over there and sight one, go to Report A Pest Hawaii to notify their early detection network.
Photos by Tina Lia and R. Stu
Great story! There could be one day per year were kids and there parents could round up female Chameleons to be sent to a rescue center on the main land. I would be glad to organize and manage such a project. I’m retired with the time and means to undertake such a project. Danielkravitz@ymail.com