The Mount Kulal Chameleon (Trioceros narraioca)

Discovered and described in 2003 by Necas, Modrý, and Slapeta, Trioceros narraioca is one of East Africa's most enigmatic reptiles. Known as the Mount Kulal stump-nosed chameleon, it inhabits the isolated dry montane forests of Mount Kulal in northern Kenya. Its distinctive morphology sets it apart from related species.

Despite its adaptability to forest microhabitats, the species faces serious conservation challenges. Habitat degradation, firewood collection, and climate change threaten the fragile Kulal ecosystem. With such a limited distribution, even small disturbances can have disproportionate impacts on population stability.

Conservationists emphasize the importance of protecting Mount Kulal's forest patches, not only for Trioceros narraioca but also for the broader biodiversity they shelter. This chameleon stands as a symbol of East Africa's hidden herpetological treasures, reminding us how much remains to be discovered—and safeguarded—in these isolated landscapes.