THE MATING RITUAL OF CHAMELEONS, Calumma oshaughnessyi

Mating rituals in chameleons are intricate and captivating to observe. These behaviors are often initiated by environmental factors, such as the arrival of the rainy season or other climatic conditions. During this time, both males and females exhibit increased interest in one another. In some species, males have been observed engaging in a behaviour known as "female guarding," where they track and follow the female from a distance, often several feet away, while simultaneously warding off other males who may also be vying for her attention. They tend to sleep just very close to the female or even side by side.

To attract the female, males display their vibrant colors, size, and physical prowess through a series of distinctive courtship behaviors. These include showcasing their brightest hues, flattening their bodies, curling their tails, and performing specific head movements, called bobbing. Some species even exhibit unique ways of moving their eyes. The elaborate mating rituals of the O'Shaughness' Chameleons can be seen in the attached pictures and videos. Males might display rare colourations, such as the striking red coloration of the head during this period.

If a female successfully mates with a male, she quickly changes her coloration to a very dark hue, signaling her receptiveness has ended. Following this, she will reject further advances from the male. Typically, the male and female will part ways until the next breeding season. 

Remarkably, females can store sperm for several months after mating, allowing them to produce multiple clutches of eggs—sometimes up to five—and can retain viable sperm for over two years.