Unseen Colors: The Secret Life of Calumma uetzi
Calumma uetzi is one of Madagascar's most recently described and least-known chameleons. Officially named in 2018 by Prötzel, Vences, Hawlitschek, Scherz, Ratsoavina, and Glaw, the species honors Peter Uetz, founder of the Reptile Database. It belongs to the Calumma nasutum group, characterized by a soft, unpaired rostral appendage and small body size. Only a handful of images exist, most of them shared informally by local guides and field researchers. One such image was recently shared by Franko, a seasoned guide in Madagascar, who encountered the species during a trek through Marojejy's dense montane forest.
This elusive species is known from only two populations: one in the Sorata Massif and another in Marojejy National Park, both in northern Madagascar. It inhabits dense montane rainforest between 1100 and 1500 meters elevation, often perched on thin branches. It is not found in lower rainforest or disturbed habitats, making it highly sensitive to environmental change.
Despite its vivid coloration—especially in Sorata males, which display yellow bodies with red and blue accents when excited—Calumma uetzi remains virtually undocumented. Only a handful of individuals have been photographed, and even platforms like iNaturalist have no confirmed records of the species. A few rare images can be seen at chameleons.info.
Franco Glaw's field guide notes that C. uetzi is "a pure rainforest inhabitant," found only in dense scrub on very thin branches, and exclusively above Camp Marojejya. He emphasizes that the "rainbow chameleon" nickname applies only to the Sorata population, where males show an impressive play of colors when excited. In contrast, Marojejy males are beige to white with light blue spots, and females can turn nearly black with pale accents when agitated. The species reaches only 10 cm in length, with clearly notched occipital lobes and a small dorsal crest. Its nasal process is soft and upward-projecting, and forearm scaling is notably heterogeneous.
Key facts:
Distribution: Sorata Massif and Marojejy National Park, northern Madagascar
Taxonomy: Family Chamaeleonidae; described in 2018
Reproduction: Oviparous
Documentation: Extremely limited; only a few known photos
Conservation Status: Not formally assessed; likely vulnerable due to habitat specificity
iNaturalist: No records of this species exist on the platform
Photos: Available at chameleons.info
Calumma uetzi remains a flicker in the canopy—seen by few, known by fewer, and waiting for its story to be fully told.